sesame Recipes
20 delicious sesame recipes from around the world
Koulouri Thessalonikis
Chewy Greek bread rings generously coated in sesame seeds, a beloved street food breakfast staple across Greece and Turkey.
Simit
Turkish sesame bread ring - circular bread covered in sesame seeds. Istanbul's breakfast staple.
Simit
Turkish sesame bread ring - crusty ring covered in sesame seeds. Street breakfast.
Simit
Turkish sesame bread ring - circular bread covered in sesame. Breakfast staple.
Kaak
Lebanese sesame bread rings - street bread with sesame. Ka'ak vendor classic.
Bánh Cam (Vietnamese Sesame Balls)
Bánh Cam are delightful Vietnamese deep-fried glutinous rice balls, traditionally filled with a sweet mung bean paste and coated in sesame seeds. They are known for their crispy exterior, chewy interior, and satisfyingly hollow center when fried correctly. A perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
Horenso no Goma-ae (Spinach with Sesame Dressing)
A classic Japanese side dish featuring tender blanched spinach coated in a rich, slightly sweet, and nutty sesame dressing. This dish, known as 'oshitashi' when served with a simple soy-based dressing, is elevated here with the addition of ground sesame seeds for a more complex flavor and texture.
Jian Dui (Chinese Sesame Balls)
Jian Dui, also known as Chinese sesame balls, are delightful, crispy fried glutinous rice balls. They feature a chewy exterior, a sweet filling (traditionally red bean paste), and are generously coated in sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. A classic dim sum sweet treat.
Kaak
Lebanese Ka'ak are soft, chewy, ring-shaped bread, generously coated in sesame seeds. A quintessential street food, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack, perfect with a spread of cheese or za'atar.
Liang Mian (Chinese Cold Sesame Noodles)
A refreshing and flavorful Chinese cold noodle dish featuring tender noodles coated in a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy sesame sauce. Perfect for a light meal or appetizer, especially during warmer months.
Ma Jiang Mian (Wuhan Hot Dry Noodles)
A beloved Wuhan breakfast dish featuring springy alkaline noodles tossed in a rich, savory sesame paste sauce, complemented by the crunch of pickled radish and fresh scallions. This recipe provides a quick and authentic taste of Wuhan's culinary soul.
Onde-Onde (Indonesian Sesame Balls)
Onde-onde are delightful Indonesian sweet treats made from glutinous rice flour, filled with sweet mung bean paste, and coated in sesame seeds before being deep-fried to a golden, puffed perfection. They are a popular snack with Chinese-Indonesian heritage.
Shao Bing (Chinese Sesame Flatbread)
A classic Chinese layered and flaky flatbread, generously coated with sesame seeds. Shao Bing is a delightful breakfast staple, often enjoyed with savory accompaniments like youtiao (Chinese fried dough sticks) or served as a side to various Chinese dishes.
Simit
A classic Turkish sesame bread ring, known for its crunchy, sesame-seed-coated exterior and soft, chewy interior. It's a beloved breakfast staple, especially in Istanbul.
Tang Yuan (Black Sesame Filled Glutinous Rice Balls)
Chewy, tender glutinous rice dumplings filled with a rich, sweet black sesame paste. Traditionally enjoyed during the Winter Solstice Festival (Dongzhi) and Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie), symbolizing family reunion and completeness.
Tantanmen (Japanese Spicy Sesame Noodles)
A comforting and flavorful Japanese take on Dan Dan noodles, featuring a rich, spicy sesame broth, savory ground pork, and tender ramen noodles. This version is often milder and creamier than its Sichuanese counterpart.
Chebakia
Chebakia are traditional Moroccan sesame cookies, shaped like flowers, deep-fried to a golden crisp, and then soaked in honey. They are a quintessential sweet treat, especially popular during Ramadan.
Ghriba Bahla (Moroccan Cracked Cookies)
Authentic Moroccan Ghriba Bahla are delightful, crumbly cookies characterized by their signature cracked surface. Infused with the nutty flavors of sesame and almonds, these cookies are a perfect accompaniment to a cup of traditional Moroccan mint tea.
Halawa (Egyptian Sesame Confection)
A classic Egyptian sweet treat made from tahini and sugar, often studded with pistachios. This dense, chewy confection is a popular snack or breakfast item.
Halawa Tehina (Egyptian Sesame Halva)
A dense, rich, and traditional Egyptian sweet made from tahini (sesame paste). This halva is a delightful candy with a unique texture and nutty flavor, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a sweet treat.