zoom_in Click to enlarge

Lablabi

▲ ▼

description Lablabi Overview

Lablabi is a traditional Tunisian soup that highlights the culinary staples of North African cuisine through its use of chickpeas, garlic, and cumin. The broth is heavily spiced with harissa, a fundamental Tunisian chili paste, giving the soup a distinct and aromatic heat. A defining characteristic of the dish is its preparation technique, which involves layering torn pieces of stale bread directly in the serving bowl to absorb the hot liquid. It is commonly garnished with a poached egg, olive oil, capers, and occasionally tuna, serving as a popular and inexpensive winter comfort food.

help Lablabi FAQ

What is Lablabi?

Lablabi is a traditional Tunisian soup consisting of chickpeas stewed in a heavily spiced garlic and cumin broth. It is a beloved street food, particularly popular during the colder winter months in Tunisia.

How is Lablabi traditionally served?

The soup is customarily ladled over chunks of torn, stale bread at the bottom of a bowl, allowing the broth to soften the bread. It is then topped with a poached egg, tuna, olives, and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

What gives Lablabi its distinct spicy flavor?

The base flavor comes from a heavy dose of ground cumin and crushed garlic, which are simmered directly into the broth. Diners often add harissa, a fiery North African chili paste, to give the soup an extra spicy kick.

Can you make Lablabi with canned chickpeas?

Yes, you can use canned chickpeas to significantly cut down on the long cooking time. However, traditional Tunisian street vendors slowly simmer dried chickpeas overnight to ensure the broth develops a deep, rich flavor.

swap_horiz

Looking for Lablabi alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward