Top 3 Syrian Street Food Sweets

Kunāfah consists of two crunchy layers of shredded and buttered kataifi or knefe dough, filled with a luscious cheese cream that's often flavored with orange zest and cardamom, then drenched in a sugar syrup infused with lemon juice and orange blossom water. Turkish künefe is traditionally made with Hatay, Urfa, or Antep cheese. It is usually topped with pistachios and is best served warm. Elegant and amazingly simple to make, this dessert is nothing short of what cheese-filled pastry dreams are made of. Some authors speculate that it originated from the Fatimid Egypt or pre-Islamic Syria, while others claim that the Palestinian city of Nablus is its birthplace - hence the name kanafeh nabulsieh. Nevertheless, this decadent dessert has been a part of a long culinary tradition in Türkiye and Egypt, and it is listed as one of Egypt's national dishes.Expand

Churchkhela is a traditional Caucasian candy that is shaped into a sausage. This candy is made by dipping a long string of nuts (usually walnut halves) in concentrated grape juice, then leaving the concoction to dry. It is so healthy and so nutritious that, in the past, it was even carried by Georgian warriors on their long journeys. Although walnuts are usually used in the preparation of churchkhela, they can be replaced by almonds, hazelnuts, or raisins.Expand

Tamari kaak, a sandwich-type sweet, is considered one of the most popular foods in the old neighborhoods of Damascus. It is one of the most notable street foods in Syria, consisting of a pancake and a filling. The pancake is made with flour, sugar, and water, while the filling consists of tahini, grape or date molasses, and banana slices, topped with toasted sesame seeds and powdered sugar. Recently, some vendors have also started adding condensed milk and chocolate to enhance the flavor. This sandwich is popular only in Damascus and is hard to find in other Syrian cities. Most vendors are located in the Al-Fahama district and the Al-Hamidiyah market but are also spread throughout the capital.Expand