Tunisian cuisine is rich, flavorful, and diverse, blending Berber, Arab, Mediterranean, Turkish, and French influences. Here are the main types of meals in Tunisia, typically organized by the time of day and occasion:
1. Breakfast (Ftour / Ftor)
Usually light but satisfying. Common items include:
- Lablabi – Spicy chickpea soup with garlic, cumin, olive oil, and topped with stale bread, egg, and harissa.
- Bread with olive oil or honey – Often eaten with tea or coffee.
- Bambalouni – Fried doughnuts sprinkled with sugar, popular as a street breakfast.
- Milk or yogurt, olives, cheese, or boiled eggs.
2. Lunch (Gheda)
This is the main meal of the day, usually eaten with family.
- Couscous – Tunisia’s national dish, made with steamed semolina, meat (often lamb or fish), vegetables, and spicy sauce.
- Marqa (Stews) – Tomato-based stews with meat or vegetables.
- Examples: Marqa Hlouwa (sweet stew), Marqa Batata (potato stew)
- Ojja – Scrambled eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce, sometimes with merguez sausage or seafood.
- Makloub – Tunisian sandwich wrap, similar to a shawarma, popular as street food.
- Served with bread, harissa, and salads like Slata Mechouia (grilled pepper & tomato salad).
3. Dinner (Ashaa)
Lighter than lunch, often includes:
- Soup (Shorba) – Light meat or vegetable soups with spices.
- Brik – Thin pastry filled with egg, tuna, and parsley, fried until crispy.
- Grilled fish or chicken, with rice or salad.
- Leftovers from lunch are often served.
Special or Festive Meals
Prepared for holidays, weddings, and religious events:
- Kamounia – Spicy liver stew with cumin.
- Couscous with lamb and raisins – Often made for Eid or family gatherings.
- Baklawa, Makroud, Yoyo – Sweet pastries served during Ramadan or special events.
- Chorba frik – A rich cracked wheat soup eaten during Ramadan.
Snacks & Street Foods
- Chapati – A stuffed flatbread sandwich.
- Merguez – Spicy grilled lamb sausages.
- Fricassé – Fried bread rolls stuffed with tuna, eggs, olives, and harissa.
- Dates, almonds, and pastries served with mint tea or Arabic coffee.
