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Home›Appetizers & Sides

🥗 Appetizers & Sides

Start your feast with creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, Greek saganaki, Indian samosas, and Moroccan zaalouk - small plates with big flavor.

190 recipes

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Japanese · Appetizers
Edamame (枝豆) — Boiled Salted Soybeans, Japanese Izakaya Snack
Edamame are young soybeans boiled in their pods and salted, a classic Japanese bar snack and summer home dish. The pods are not eaten; diners pop the tender beans out with their teeth.
15 min 4 95 cal

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Japanese · Appetizers

Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し) — Silky Japanese Savory Egg Custard

Chawanmushi is a classic Japanese savory custard steamed in individual cups. Its delicate egg-and-dashi base holds small treasures such as chicken, shrimp, shiitake, ginkgo nuts, and mitsuba.

43 min 4 166 cal

Marinated Anchovies — Fresh anchovies cured in vinegar, garlic, and parsley - authentic greek recipe

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Greek · Appetizers

Marinated Anchovies (Γαύρος μαρινάτος) — Fresh anchovies cured in vinegar, garlic, and parsley

Gavros marinatos is a beloved Greek meze where ultra-fresh anchovies are “cooked” in vinegar, then dressed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. It’s a classic taverna plate, bright and briny, meant for sharing with bread and ouzo.

35 min 6 210 cal

Octopus in Vinegar — Boiled octopus with vinegar and bay - authentic greek recipe

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Greek · Appetizers

Octopus in Vinegar (Χταπόδι ξιδάτο) — Boiled octopus with vinegar and bay

A beloved Greek meze, octopus is gently simmered until tender, then dressed with sharp vinegar, bay, and olive oil. It’s a classic taverna plate, often served alongside ouzo and simple bread to soak up the tangy, briny juices.

80 min 6 210 cal

Cacık — Chilled Turkish Yogurt, Cucumber & Mint Dip - authentic turkish recipe

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Turkish · Appetizers

Cacık (Yoğurtlu Salatalık Mezesi) — Chilled Turkish Yogurt, Cucumber & Mint Dip

Cacık is a classic Turkish cooling meze made with strained yogurt, crisp cucumber, mint, and garlic. Served chilled, it bridges soup and dip depending on how much water you add, and is a staple alongside grilled foods in summer.

15 min 4 132 cal

Cig Kofte — Isot-kissed bulgur kneaded and served in lettuce - authentic turkish recipe

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Turkish · Appetizers

Cig Kofte (Çiğ Köfte) — Isot-kissed bulgur kneaded and served in lettuce

A beloved street-food classic from southeastern Türkiye, çiğ köfte is traditionally kneaded until the bulgur turns silky and cohesive. This meatless modern style leans on Urfa isot, tomato-pepper pastes, and bright lemon, then is served tucked into crisp lettuce leaves.

25 min 6 255 cal

Kothimbir Vadi — Steamed coriander-gram cakes, pan-fried crisp - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Kothimbir Vadi (कोथिंबीर वडी) — Steamed coriander-gram cakes, pan-fried crisp

A beloved Maharashtrian snack, Kothimbir Vadi blends fresh coriander with gram flour into a spiced batter that’s steamed, sliced, then pan-fried. It’s a classic tea-time treat known for its herbal aroma and crisp edges.

50 min 4 285 cal

Eggplant Roll-Ups — Azerbaijani Fried Eggplant with Garlic Filling - authentic azerbaijani recipe

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Azerbaijani · Appetizers

Eggplant Roll-Ups (Badımcan Ruleti) — Azerbaijani Fried Eggplant with Garlic Filling

Badımcan Ruleti is a beloved Azerbaijani mezze of thin fried eggplant slices rolled around a punchy garlic-herb filling. It’s common on festive tables and tea-time spreads, balancing smoky eggplant with bright, creamy tang.

45 min 6 235 cal

Soujouk — Lebanese Spicy Sausage Served Sizzling with Lemon - authentic lebanese recipe

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Lebanese · Appetizers

Soujouk (سجق) — Lebanese Spicy Sausage Served Sizzling with Lemon

Soujouk is a beloved Lebanese-Armenian style cured sausage, pan-sizzled until deeply aromatic and served with bright lemon. It’s a mezze and breakfast staple, often enjoyed with warm bread, pickles, and eggs.

22 min 4 430 cal

Kachori — Flaky fried pastry stuffed with spiced moong dal - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Kachori (कचौरी) — Flaky fried pastry stuffed with spiced moong dal

Kachori is a beloved North Indian street snack: crisp, flaky pastry rounds stuffed with a spicy lentil filling. Often served with tangy chutneys, it’s a festive tea-time favorite from Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh.

70 min 12 250 cal

Bhel Puri — Indian Puffed Rice Chaat with Tangy Chutneys - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Bhel Puri (भेल पूरी) — Indian Puffed Rice Chaat with Tangy Chutneys

Bhel Puri is a beloved Mumbai street chaat built on puffed rice, crunchy sev, and bright chutneys. It’s a quick, mix-and-eat snack that balances sweet, sour, and gentle heat in every bite.

30 min 4 330 cal

Santorini Fava — Creamy yellow split pea purée with capers - authentic greek recipe

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Greek · Appetizers

Santorini Fava (Φάβα Σαντορίνης) — Creamy yellow split pea purée with capers

A signature dish from Santorini, this silky purée of yellow split peas is simmered with onion and bay until spoon-soft, then finished with olive oil and capers. It’s a humble meze that highlights the island’s prized fava and bright, briny toppings.

65 min 6 245 cal

Yalantzi Dolmadakia — Vine Leaves Stuffed with Rice, Pine Nuts, and Dill - authentic greek recipe

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Greek · Appetizers

Yalantzi Dolmadakia (Ντολμαδάκια γιαλαντζί) — Vine Leaves Stuffed with Rice, Pine Nuts, and Dill

Dolmadakia yalantzi are classic Greek meatless stuffed vine leaves, perfumed with dill and brightened with lemon. Often served at mezze tables and during fasting periods, they balance tender rice, pine nuts, and olive oil in each bite.

100 min 6 360 cal

Cacık — Chilled Turkish Yogurt, Cucumber, and Mint Meze - authentic turkish recipe

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Turkish · Appetizers

Cacık (جاجیک) — Chilled Turkish Yogurt, Cucumber, and Mint Meze

Cacık is a classic Turkish cooling meze of strained yogurt, crisp cucumber, and mint, often served alongside grilled meats. Light, garlicky, and refreshing, it’s a summer staple from home tables to meyhane spreads.

15 min 4 120 cal

Puchka — Indian Tangy Tamarind Water-Filled Semolina Puris - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Puchka (पुचका) — Indian Tangy Tamarind Water-Filled Semolina Puris

Puchka is an iconic Kolkata-style street snack: crisp semolina puris filled with spiced potato-chickpeas and dunked in tangy tamarind water. It’s a social, hands-on way of eating—one puri at a time—balancing sour, salty, and aromatic spice.

70 min 6 410 cal

Medu Vada — Indian Fried Urad Dal Doughnuts with Coconut Chutney - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Medu Vada (మెదు వడ) — Indian Fried Urad Dal Doughnuts with Coconut Chutney

Medu vada are crisp, savory South Indian lentil doughnuts made from whipped urad dal batter and fried until golden. Traditionally served for breakfast or tiffin, they pair perfectly with cooling coconut chutney and sambar.

555 min 4 620 cal

Muhammara — Lebanese Walnut-Pepper Dip with Pomegranate Molasses - authentic lebanese recipe

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Lebanese · Appetizers

Muhammara (محمرة) — Lebanese Walnut-Pepper Dip with Pomegranate Molasses

Muhammara is a beloved Levantine mezze of roasted red peppers and walnuts, brightened with pomegranate molasses. In Lebanon it’s served as a bold, tangy dip alongside warm bread and fresh vegetables.

40 min 6 240 cal

Eggplant Rolls — Azerbaijani Fried Eggplant with Garlicky Walnut Filling - authentic azerbaijani recipe

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Azerbaijani · Appetizers

Eggplant Rolls (Badımcan Ruleti) — Azerbaijani Fried Eggplant with Garlicky Walnut Filling

Badımcan ruleti is a beloved Azerbaijani meze of thin fried eggplant slices rolled around a punchy garlic filling. It’s common on festive tables and tea spreads, balancing smoky eggplant with creamy, tangy richness.

45 min 6 270 cal

Saksuka — Turkish Fried Vegetables in Tomato Sauce Meze - authentic turkish recipe

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Turkish · Appetizers

Saksuka (Şakşuka) — Turkish Fried Vegetables in Tomato Sauce Meze

Şakşuka is a beloved Turkish meze of fried summer vegetables folded into a garlicky tomato sauce. Served at room temperature with bread, it’s a staple on rakı tables and family spreads across the Aegean coast.

60 min 6 240 cal

Dhokla — Indian Steamed Savory Chickpea Cake with Mustard Seeds - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Dhokla (ઢોકળા) — Indian Steamed Savory Chickpea Cake with Mustard Seeds

A beloved Gujarati snack, dhokla is a light, spongy steamed cake made from chickpea flour and brightened with lemon and ginger. It’s finished with a classic mustard-seed tempering that perfumes each bite and keeps it moist.

33 min 6 210 cal

Taramosalata — Greek Creamy Fish Roe Spread with Lemon - authentic greek recipe

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Greek · Appetizers

Taramosalata (Ταραμοσαλάτα) — Greek Creamy Fish Roe Spread with Lemon

Taramosalata is a classic Greek meze made from cured fish roe whipped into a pale, creamy spread with lemon and olive oil. Often served for Lent and seafood feasts, it’s prized for its bright tang, briny depth, and silky texture.

15 min 6 250 cal

Baba Ghanoush — Lebanese Smoky Eggplant Dip with Tahini - authentic lebanese recipe

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Lebanese · Appetizers

Baba Ghanoush (بابا غنّوج) — Lebanese Smoky Eggplant Dip with Tahini

Baba ghanoush is a classic Lebanese mezze made from fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. Its signature flavor comes from smoky char and silky pulp, served with olive oil and warm bread.

50 min 6 165 cal

Samosa — Indian Crispy Spiced Potato and Pea Pastry - authentic indian recipe

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Indian · Appetizers

Samosa (समोसा) — Indian Crispy Spiced Potato and Pea Pastry

Samosa is a beloved Indian street snack: a crisp wheat pastry filled with spiced potatoes and peas. Served with chutneys and chai, it reflects North India’s love of bold aromatics, tang, and crunch in every bite.

80 min 12 260 cal

Borani Esfenaj — Persian Spinach and Yogurt Dip with Saffron and Walnuts - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Borani Esfenaj (بورانی اسفناج) — Persian Spinach and Yogurt Dip with Saffron and Walnuts

Borani Esfenaj is a refined Persian appetizer with roots often traced to pre-Islamic courtly cuisine. Silky yogurt and garlicky sautéed spinach are balanced by sweet caramelized onion, mint, and a saffron finish.

40 min 6 190 cal

🥗 Appetizers & Sides

Edamame (枝豆) — Boiled Salted Soybeans, Japanese Izakaya Snack

Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し) — Silky Japanese Savory Egg Custard

Marinated Anchovies (Γαύρος μαρινάτος) — Fresh anchovies cured in vinegar, garlic, and parsley

Octopus in Vinegar (Χταπόδι ξιδάτο) — Boiled octopus with vinegar and bay

Cacık (Yoğurtlu Salatalık Mezesi) — Chilled Turkish Yogurt, Cucumber & Mint Dip

Cig Kofte (Çiğ Köfte) — Isot-kissed bulgur kneaded and served in lettuce

Kothimbir Vadi (कोथिंबीर वडी) — Steamed coriander-gram cakes, pan-fried crisp

Eggplant Roll-Ups (Badımcan Ruleti) — Azerbaijani Fried Eggplant with Garlic Filling

Soujouk (سجق) — Lebanese Spicy Sausage Served Sizzling with Lemon

Kachori (कचौरी) — Flaky fried pastry stuffed with spiced moong dal

Bhel Puri (भेल पूरी) — Indian Puffed Rice Chaat with Tangy Chutneys

Santorini Fava (Φάβα Σαντορίνης) — Creamy yellow split pea purée with capers

Yalantzi Dolmadakia (Ντολμαδάκια γιαλαντζί) — Vine Leaves Stuffed with Rice, Pine Nuts, and Dill

Cacık (جاجیک) — Chilled Turkish Yogurt, Cucumber, and Mint Meze

Puchka (पुचका) — Indian Tangy Tamarind Water-Filled Semolina Puris

Medu Vada (మెదు వడ) — Indian Fried Urad Dal Doughnuts with Coconut Chutney

Muhammara (محمرة) — Lebanese Walnut-Pepper Dip with Pomegranate Molasses

Eggplant Rolls (Badımcan Ruleti) — Azerbaijani Fried Eggplant with Garlicky Walnut Filling

Saksuka (Şakşuka) — Turkish Fried Vegetables in Tomato Sauce Meze

Dhokla (ઢોકળા) — Indian Steamed Savory Chickpea Cake with Mustard Seeds

Taramosalata (Ταραμοσαλάτα) — Greek Creamy Fish Roe Spread with Lemon

Baba Ghanoush (بابا غنّوج) — Lebanese Smoky Eggplant Dip with Tahini

Samosa (समोसा) — Indian Crispy Spiced Potato and Pea Pastry

Borani Esfenaj (بورانی اسفناج) — Persian Spinach and Yogurt Dip with Saffron and Walnuts