The Taste of Isfahan: The City of Iran’s Reckoners
WANA (Oct 17) – The morning hasn’t even reached its midpoint when Isfahan’s bazaar is already awake. The sound of coppersmiths’ hammers echoes through the air, the aroma of saffron and hot oil wafts from the halva workshops, and amidst the hum, a gentle laugh can be heard.
The people of this city are measured in their speech, precise in their spending, and composed in their hospitality — not flashy, but warm and balanced; just like their food.
In Isfahan, flavors are neither sudden nor sharp; they are calculated and harmonious, like the architecture of its mosques, where no color dominates another.
In this article, WANA News Agency introduces some of the most famous dishes and delicacies of Isfahan.
Beryani
If you ask an Isfahani what the true taste of their city is, they will immediately say: “Beryani!” But don’t be mistaken — this is not the Indian biryani.
Isfahani Beryani is made from lamb, especially the head and shoulder meat, which is cooked for hours with spices and onions until it reaches a tender texture and deep flavor. It is then served on fresh Sangak bread, accompanied by a little simple broth, raw onion, walnuts, and basil.
A rich and hearty dish, just like Isfahan itself. Perfect for those who enjoy deep, meaty, and authentic flavors.
Beryani. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Khoresht-e Mast – A Royal Dessert
At first glance, you might not believe that a dish with a yellow, delicate content in front of you is a dessert, because on its own, it is a complete and substantial meal.
A yellow and radiant dish, made from saffron, sweetened yogurt, pieces of cooked meat, rose petals, and pistachios. In the past, it was served only on the tables of kings and nobility.
Even today, its taste surprises — a combination of sweet and salty, of delicacy and boldness. If you love unique and poetic flavors that blend sweetness with fragrance, don’t miss this one.
Khoresht-e Mast shows how the people of Isfahan create balance amid contrasts.
Khoresht-e Mast. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Halim Bademjan – The Comfort of the Bazaar
In every alley of the Joubaré neighborhood or around the Jameh Mosque, you might catch the scent of Halim Bademjan.
Fried eggplant, lentils, and meat, topped with fried onions and whey; a soft, smoky, warm, and hearty dish. A flavor for those seeking the taste of home and maternal comfort.
Gush-e Fil and Doogh – A Philosophy in Flavor
And now the most unusual culinary tradition of Isfahan: Gush-e Fil and Doogh. Gush-e Fil is prepared with thick syrup and hot oil; crispy, aromatic, and golden.
But Isfahanis don’t let its sweetness dominate the palate — they drink cool, sour doogh (a beverage made of yogurt, water, and salt) alongside it, balancing the taste of fat and sugar so it doesn’t overwhelm the appetite.
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In the summer heat, by the Zayandeh River, you see families holding Gush-e Fil in one hand and doogh in a glass; a combination that might seem strange to a foreigner, but for Isfahanis, it is a kind of philosophy of balance in flavor — just as in the city’s tilework, no color dominates another.
Souvenirs That Smell of Isfahan
When it’s time to leave, you cannot depart from Isfahan without its taste. In the Grand Bazaar, the old shops are full of delicacies, each carrying a piece of the city within.
Gaz, a white and delicate sweet with pistachio or almond filling, is the symbol of Isfahan; soft, aromatic, and moderately sweet.
Poulaki, thin sheets of sugar flavored with saffron or ginger, are the constant companions of Isfahanis’ afternoon tea.
Gaz. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Sohan Asali with slivered almonds, glossy and brittle, is for those who love the taste of caramel and butter.
And if the scent of saffron reminds you of Iran, saffron rock candy is the best keepsake from this city — both a souvenir and a symbol of Iranian tea.
Isfahan, Beyond Taste
When you rise from the table and your suitcase is full of flavors, the city continues for you. The places you must see call to you.
At sunset on Khaju Bridge, the sound of street music comes from beneath the arches.
In Chehel Sotoun Palace, the reflection of trees in the pool is like a living painting.
Must-see places in Isfahan. Social media/ WANA News Agency
In the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, sunlight passes through the tiles and falls on your face in color.
At Menar Jonban, the stones tremble, yet the city remains calm.
And if your journey takes you outside the city, in the Varzaneh Desert, the silence of the sands continues the tranquility that began in the bazaar.
In the end, Isfahan cannot be summarized so simply…
It is a city that lives with precision, laughs with calculation, and loves with balance — just like its food.
