5 Traditional dishes from Algeria - Blog | Western Union (2024)

Nothing brings the family together quite like a great meal. Algeria possesses a rich culture that has been influenced by ethnic groups from all around the world.From their art to their cuisine, foreign influences can be seen in Algerian culture through and through.

Are you planning a trip to Algeria soon? Or are you planning on cooking up an exotic meal for the family? For either situation, knowledge of some amazing recipes will do wonders. We’ve prepared a list of 5 traditional dishes from Algeria that are sure to amaze friends and family alike.

5 Traditional dishes from Algeria - Blog | Western Union (1)

1. Chakchouka

Start your day off right with Chakchouka, a traditional Algerian dish that’s mainly eaten for breakfast. This dish is simple to make and can be completed in around 20 minutes. Traditionally, the main components in Chakchouka include sautéed onions, tomatoes and various spices topped with a few eggs. This meal goes great with a side of bread, pita or rice to soak up the sauces, so try it out!

2. Couscous

Often considered the national dish of Algeria, Couscous is a perfect complement to any meal. This dish is composed of small pellets of steamed semolina topped with meat, vegetables, and various spices. In Algeria, the most popular meat and vegetable accompaniments for this meal include chicken, carrots and chickpeas. Although a rather simple dish, Couscous offers considerable freedom in its selection of ingredients. Try personalizing your own recipe!

5 Traditional dishes from Algeria - Blog | Western Union (2)

3.Hariri


Are you in the mood for something light to fill your stomach? Harira is a traditional North African soup possessing a rich and hearty flavor. Recipes for this dish vary from region to region but in Algeria, Harira is often composed of lamb simmered with vegetables, spices and herbs. Try cooking up a pot of Harira on a cold day to surprise your family!

4. Mechoui

Start any event off on a good note with Mechoui, a traditional North African dish. The name Mechoui comes from an Arabic word meaning “roast on a fire,” and like its namesake, the meal is prepared in much the same way. This dish is composed of meat spiced and roasted over a fire and is mainly prepared for large gatherings. In the Algerian variation, the meat is roasted on a spit giving the meat a crispy and delicious flavor.

5. Makroudh

Are you in the mood for something sweet to eat? Try eating some Makroudh, a traditional Algerian dessert. This pastry is composed of a date or almond stuffing with deep fried semolina dipped in honey. Makroudh also goes great with coffee in the morning so the next chance you get, take the time to enjoy a morning snack before rushing off to work.

Want to try some new and exotic dishes? Drawing influences from Berber, Arab and other European cultures, Algerian cuisine is sure to present you with a taste you’ll never forget. Try one of these five dishes from Algeria with your family for an experience you won’t regret!

5 Traditional dishes from Algeria - Blog | Western Union (2024)

FAQs

5 Traditional dishes from Algeria - Blog | Western Union? ›

Of all the Algerian traditional dishes available, the most famous one is couscous, recognized as a national dish.

What is the traditional food in Algeria? ›

Of all the Algerian traditional dishes available, the most famous one is couscous, recognized as a national dish.

What are some traditions in Algeria? ›

Algeria observes several religious and secular holidays, including the important Islamic festivals and commemorations such as Ramadan, the two ʿīds (festivals), Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and mawlid (the Prophet's birthday), as well as national holidays such as Independence Day (July 5).

What is the national dish of Algeria and Tunisia? ›

Since there, couscous came to spread around the world and became a principal meal for Moroccans, Algerians, and Tunisians. couscous is the official Moroccan national dish and Tunisia's unofficial national dish.

What is Algeria best known for? ›

Algeria is the largest country in Africa; one of the main tourist attractions is the Sahara, the largest desert in the world. Algeria has been a member of the World Tourism Organization since 1976.

What is a typical lunch in Algeria? ›

Algerian Lunch

Lunch is typically a time for families to gather and share a meal. Algerians eat very similarly at lunch as they do for dinner: stews, soups, couscous. Mint tea, the same type as Moroccan mint tea, is common in the afternoon with sweet pastries. Algerian salads are a popular and refreshing part of lunch.

What is Algeria ranked in food? ›

Algeria ranked 1st among the arabic countries and 26th worldwide in the World's Best Cuisines by TasteAtlas . Algeria has long been considered one of the countries in which the food is the most diverse and qualitative in taste.

How do you say I love you in Algeria? ›

20 Algerian Love Phrases To Say To Someone You Love
  1. Looking for some Algerian love phrases to tell your significant other?
  2. Transliteration: n7abik / n7abak.
  3. Meaning: I love you.
  4. Transliteration: nmout 3aliki / nmout 3alik.
  5. Meaning: I die for you.
  6. Transliteration: twaheshtik / twaheshtak.
  7. Meaning: I miss you.

Do Algerians speak French? ›

Arabic and Tamazight are the two official languages of Algeria, with most citizens speaking an Arabic dialect at home. While French is not an official language of the former French colony, it is taught in Algerian elementary schools starting around age nine and is spoken by a third of Algerians.

What is a popular dish in Algeria? ›

Often considered the national dish of Algeria, Couscous is a perfect complement to any meal. This dish is composed of small pellets of steamed semolina topped with meat, vegetables, and various spices. In Algeria, the most popular meat and vegetable accompaniments for this meal include chicken, carrots and chickpeas.

Is fufu a national dish? ›

Fufu is Ghana's national dish, a starchy side dish, and. an important accompaniment to various stews and. sauce-based dishes.

Is couscous Algerian or Moroccan? ›

According to food writer Charles Perry, couscous originated among the Berbers of Algeria and Morocco between the end of the 11th-century Zirid dynasty, modern-day Algeria, and the rise of the 13th-century Almohad Caliphate.

Why is Algeria so beautiful? ›

In the northern part of the vast territory, a littoral band with exotic beaches stretched endlessly for 1,200 km, mountains covered with snow sometimes until new shoots come out in early spring, and a vast desert that preserves its treasures, the unique fauna and flora that are protected by the desert.

Is Algeria a rich or Poor country? ›

Ethnically, the nation is overwhelmingly Arab-Berber, and the vast majority of citizens are Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the national language, but various Berber dialects and French also are spoken. The World Bank classifies Algeria as an upper-middle income nation.

What is the famous fruit in Algeria? ›

Algeria's warm Mediterranean climate and fertile soil provide an ideal environment for the cultivation of various local fruit plants. Key fruits such as Common fig, Wine grape, and Olive are significant both for domestic consumption and cultural practices, reflecting the nation's horticultural heritage.

Is pork allowed in Algeria? ›

Algeria is a Muslim country, and all pork products are prohibited (i.e., an import license is impossible).

What is the most popular fruit in Algeria? ›

Citrus are among the most popular fruits grown in Algeria. They are of an excellent quality and are greatly appreciated for their nutritional and refreshment value. Furthermore, citrus production represents an important agricultural and economic activity in the country.

What is traditional food called? ›

Traditional foods are foods and dishes that are passed on through generations or which have been consumed for many generations. Traditional foods and dishes are traditional in nature, and may have a historic precedent in a national dish, regional cuisine or local cuisine.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5886

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.