10 Delicious Vegetarian Arab Dishes

When I first moved to the Middle East, my friends and family all expressed concern about what I would find to eat. I guess most Americans tend to think that no where else in the world has vegetarian options besides the United States.

In reality though, Arab food is rich in vegetarian options – yes, there is a lot of meat, too, and diet does vary from country to country – but eating traditional has been easier than ever since I arrived in Lebanon.

Here are some of the most drool-worthy Arab vegetarian dishes.

The national dish of Egypt is also vegetarian, containing rice, lentils and macaroni noodles with spicy sauce on top. OK, it may be a lot of carbs, but it's delicious! And the best part? It's really, really cheap and everywhere in Egypt, making Cairo an easy spot for vegetarians to travel.

Pro tip: Get extra fried onions. Because, why not.

Although the style may vary slightly, fattoush and tabbouleh are popular salads prepared traditionally in several Middle Eastern countries. Both are excellent options and usually inexpensive at most restaurants. Remember though, that large portion is meant to be shared!

Pro tip: Wait until serving to add the fried pita bread. Otherwise, you'll lose the crunch.

This traditional North African food traditionally is served either with meat or vegetable stew. Select the vegetable option and then you're good to go. Interesting, couscous was voted as the third favorite food in France according to a 2011 survey .

Pro tip: One word: eggplant.

Seriously, who doesn't love falafel? Although it has become popular in the West, this delicious treat originated in the Middle East, although countries still fight over where it actually came from. My take? Just try the variations in each country and be happy that someone created the concept.

Pro tip: Add some radish. We swear.

Traditionally served for breakfast in the Levant region, the traditional bread often topped with cheese or za'atar recently also made waves in New York City. The $6 that New Yorkers pay though, is just a bit more than the price people pay in Beirut, where people complain if a place charges more than 3000 LL ($2).

Pro tip: It's all about the customization. When it comes to manakeesh, you can get anything your heart desires from mixed cheese and za'atar to meat with spice to a new favorite, cheese with sesame seeds.

Although it is sometimes seen as more of a home cooked dish that your mother would traditionally, appeared, this lentil-based dish is a great vegetarian option. It might be a bit hard to find in restaurants, depending on where you are, but maybe you can be lucky enough to find a local to share a meal with you.

Pro tip: Have a friend's mother make it for you.

Although it's slightly different in each country and even by region, ful is a staple in many Arab countries. Whether prepared as a paste and put on a sandwich or served in a bowl with oil, this protein rich option provides a great addition to any Arab meal.

Pro tip: This is a heavy breakfast.

Reported to have originated in Syria, this spicy dish – consisting of walnuts, spicy peppers, breadcrumbs and olive oil – is popular in the Levant and Turkey. Enjoy it on some traditional Arab bread and keep a glass of water nearby.

Pro tip: Don't start off with a huge mouthful. Depending where you are ordering muhammara, the spiciness can vary.

A delicious dish with a mashed eggplant base that is also known as baba ghanoush. Depending on the chef, the dish can be slightly different.

Pro tip: Add the pomegranate seeds.

What can be said about hummus? I saved the best for last, at least in my opinion. Long before I moved to the Middle East, I was eating hummus every day. When I arrived on the other side of the Mediterranean, I couldn't believe how I settled for such a subpar version of the dish for so long. Really: Come, taste and find out for yourself!

Pro tip: Eat all the hummus, all the time.

It's worth noting to the hardcore vegans out there, all these recipes--with the exception of manakeesh – are also normally vegan friendly. So all the vegetarian/vegan foodies out there take note, the Arab world is a friendly place for us!