25 delicious sesame recipes from around the world
Gâteau Zinzli is a delightful Mauritian dessert made from glutinous rice, cane sugar, and black sesame seeds. It has a soft, chewy texture and a sweet, nutty flavor, making it a unique and satisfying treat. The preparation requires patience, but the result is a truly special confection.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A rich and savory chicken stew featuring the nutty depth of sesame paste, balanced with aromatic vegetables and spices. This dish offers a comforting and flavorful taste of Gambian home cooking.
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.
Kifli are soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet rolls popular in Macedonian cuisine, often filled with feta cheese and sprinkled with sesame seeds. They are perfect as a snack, side dish, or for breakfast.
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.
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.
These delightful cookies are a perfect blend of nutty tahini and sweet dates, with a hint of sesame. They are chewy on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside, making them an ideal treat for any time of day.
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.
A sweet and nutty cake made primarily from ground sesame seeds, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert. This version incorporates elements for a moist and flavorful cake.
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.
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.
Susamliji are traditional Macedonian celebration cookies, often made for special occasions. These simple, braided, butter-based biscuits are finished with an egg glaze and a generous scattering of sesame seeds, offering a delightful crunch and a subtly sweet flavor.
Chewy Greek bread rings generously coated in sesame seeds, a beloved street food breakfast staple across Greece and Turkey.
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.
A refreshing and flavorful noodle dish featuring chewy noodles tossed in a rich, savory sesame sauce with julienned vegetables and optional toppings.
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.
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.
A flavorful Nicaraguan chicken dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a rich and savory sesame seed sauce. This dish is often served with white rice.
