Local food map Jerusalem (Israel)
Jerusalem guides
Recipes 6
Pick a recipe
All Jerusalem recipes
Mujaddara — traditional dish from Middle East, Israel
Main course Vegan

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥400kcal
💪14gProtein
🌾65gCarbs
🥑10gFat
🌿15gFibre
⚖️300 gServing

* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.

Mujaddara

How to order / say it
Say it מג'דרה — [moo-JAH-dah-rah]
Order I'd like the mujaddara, please.
Locally אני רוצה מג'דרה, בבקשה.
Say locally

A dish of lentils and rice, commonly garnished with fried onions.

Why try it?

Mujaddara represents the heart of regional home cooking, a wholesome testament to the agricultural staples of lentils and rice. It is a simple yet satisfying dish that embodies shared comfort food traditions in Jerusalem.

How it tastes

Mujaddara is a hearty, earthy dish with a nutty flavor profile from the lentils and a slightly sweet, caramelized note from the fried onions. The combination of textures between the lentils and rice is enhanced by the crunchy onions.

Origin & History — first documented: 1300

Its origins date back to medieval Arab culture, with references found as early as the 13th century. Mujaddara has remained popular due to its simplicity and nutritional value, becoming a staple across many households.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🫘 150 g lentils
  • 🌾 150 g rice
  • 🧄 2 large onion
  • 🫒 30 ml olive oil
  • 🧂 1 tsp cumin
  • 🧂 2 g salt

Method

  1. 1 Cook lentils in water until tender and drain.
  2. 2 Cook rice separately until fluffy.
  3. 3 Slice and fry onions in olive oil until caramelized.
  4. 4 Combine cooked lentils and rice, season with cumin and salt, and top with fried onions.

More from Middle East

Boureka © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegetarian

Boureka

בורקס
boo-REH-kah

Flaky pastry filled with cheese or meat.
Sabich © Wikimedia Commons
Street food Vegetarian

Sabich

סביח
sa-BEEKH

A popular sandwich made with pita, fried eggplant, hard boiled eggs, and salatim.
Malabi © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Malabi

מלבי
Ma-LA-bee

Sweet milk pudding topped with rosewater syrup and nuts.
Jachnun © Wikimedia Commons
Bread Vegetarian

Jachnun

ג'חנון
jah-kh-noon

Slow-cooked Yemenite Jewish dish made from rolled dough, baked overnight.
Sufganiyot © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Sufganiyot

סופגניות
soof-gah-NEE-yoht

Deep-fried doughnuts filled with jelly and topped with powdered sugar.
Jaffa Orange © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegan

Jaffa Orange

תפוז ג`אפה
ja-FA

A sweet, seedless citrus fruit with a vibrant flavor.
Malawach © Wikimedia Commons
Bread Vegetarian

Malawach

מלאווח
mah-LAH-wahkh

A layered flatbread usually served with a side of hard-boiled eggs, grated tomatoes, and zhug.
Jerusalem Mixed Grill © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Meat

Jerusalem Mixed Grill

מַעֲרֶבֶת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם
Mah-ah-reh-vet Ye-roo-shah-lime

A flavorful mix of sautéed chicken hearts, spleens, and liver, with onions and spices.
Shakshouka © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Vegetarian

Shakshouka

שקשוקה
shahk-shoo-kah

Eggs poached in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce.
All Asia recipes — Israel — Jerusalem — Mujaddara
keyboard_arrow_up