What is the difference between Lebanese and Arabic food?!


Question: What is the difference between Lebanese and Arabic food?
I grew up in the Gulf states. My dad worked over there. Anyway, when we went out to eat and wanted what, over here is called Arabic, we went to Lebanese restaurants. There was no mention of Arabic food restaurants. Schawarmas, baba ganoush etc were all considered Lebanese. There were Indian, Chinese, and even pizza places but for traditional "arabic" food we went to Lebanese restuarants. Yes, I know there are Arabs in Lebanon. So, I find it crazy that now that I'm back in the U.S. I'm eating at Arabic restuarants that were called Lebanese restuarants in the Arab world. So are they the same thing?

Also, we used to get the most amazing fruits and vegatables and we were in the middle of the desert. I'm pretty dissapointed with what I get here. Beef, meh, certainly better here.
22 seconds ago - 4 days left to answer.

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Lebanese food is always Arabic, but not all Arabic food is Lebanese.

Sometimes the difference is in name only, or a slight difference in pronunciation (for example, the word for our thick yogurt-- I always knew it as "lebani" although it's called "yoghurt" and "leban" in other places). Other times, there are completely different regional dishes; moussaka was never served in my family's house, but we ate kibbi and mjeddrah all the time. Other times there are very distinct differences in the same food item (for example, with grape leaves... many different ways of preparing them, according to culture!).

In short, many traditional Arabic foods are found in Lebanese cuisine (grapeleaves, tabouleh, baba ghanoush, hummus, etc), but not all Arabic food is Lebanese. Where I live (New York City) there are many Arabic restaurants, but only one or two truly Lebanese places to eat.

Hope this makes sense, and best of luck finding what you're looking for, food-wise :)

My family is Lebanese <3



I cook Lebanese food, and I find more differences in the languages than in the food. So, though they eat the same foods, they may call them different names. They are very similar. I don't like Greek grape leaves, because I don't care for the greasy taste. There are some basic variations, but you would still recognize the food in either country. It's just what you get used to in a certain area.

My husband is of Lebanese decent.



Lebanon is an Arabic country, but each country got their own special food and yet share few others,




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