Lebanese MOUNTAIN FOOD TOUR - Lahm Bi Ajeen, Qawarma & Labne | Hrajel, Lebanon

🧳ARMANDO: / armandomaalouf
🇱🇧 JALSET AL ERZAL: / jalsetalerzal
🌎 MY TRAVEL/FOOD BLOG: davidsbeenhere...
With another cold morning in the mountains of Lebanon ahead of me, I began my day in the city of Hrajel, roughly one hour northeast of Beirut. I was there to visit some bakeries, check out some more Lebanese food, and see some sights, so let’s explore Hrajel, Lebanon!
My guide Armando and I would basically be going on a breakfast tour! The area was like a winter wonderland. There was snow everywhere!
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Our first stop was a small bakery where we met a man spreading two different cheeses on some dough before baking it in an oven for 3 minutes. We got one with cheese and another with lamb (lahm bi ajeen).
The cheese manakish had a nice crust that wasn’t too soft or too crispy, with nice, gooey cheese. It was really good and fresh!
Then, the man made another with a mix of za’atar and sunflower oil on top. As we watched, the owner brought a huge bowl of ground lamb! He added salt and spices into the lamb. The za’atar flatbread smelled incredible!
Then, Armando squeezed some lemon juice of the the lahm bi ajeen. I loved the zestiness of the lemon juice with the meat. Between the lamb, crispy bread, and lemon, it was an amazing breakfast that cost us less than $4 USD in total!
Next, we hopped in the car and drove through a mountain resort area down an icy road to Qalaat Faqra, an archaeological site consisting of Roman ruins from 44 AD. It was built by Emperor Claudius!
Unfortunately, because of the deep snow, we couldn’t go inside the site and see the ruins. It’s a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site!
This was one of the coldest and snowiest winters in Lebanon’s history! I highly recommend coming to Lebanon during the warmer months if you want to see the outdoor attractions.
From there, we drove to Saj Mema, where they were cooking the dough on a huge, round flat top grill. As it grilled, the cook added chili paste (hurin), sesame seeds, and four cheeses (hurin). In Arabic, the mix of cheese and chilies is known as jubna hurin.
They cut it into gooey, scorching-hot slices. It was crispy and wasn’t too spicy. I loved the addition of the sesame seeds. It was simple but delicious, and perfect for such a cold day!
After finishing with some Lebanese espressos, we drove to a restaurant called Jalset al Erzal to have a dish called kawarma or qawarma (chopped lamb, usually served with hummus) and labne (a type of yogurt).
They also make a special local cheese and kebabs. In the kitchen, I could see a huge, boiling pot of minced lamb, as well as them making eggs with lamb. They were aso making minced lamb kebabs, chicken kebabs, and baked potatoes.
At our table, we started with a smooth and cloudy arak. Then, we had saj (a large, thin flatbread), bayad ma’a qawarma (kawarma and eggs), labne, and jibneh baladi (local white cheese).
The saj with labne was amazing. I loved how thick and creamy the labne was. It’s locally made, so it’s super fresh. The bayad ma’a qawarma was also great. The saj reminded me of the lavash I ate in Armenia!
The three together made for a cold, warm, creamy, and hearty mix! Then, I tried some tomato, jibneh baladi, and mint in the saj like a wrap. The fresh, juicy tomatoes and soft white cheese were outstanding.
The dense lamb kofta (kebabs) were juicy and charred, and minimal on the spices, unlike Indian kebabs. We also had a baked potato with olive oil. But I had to go bck to the bayad ma’a qawarma.
Finally, we had halawa (sesame dessert) with saj topped with butter and sugar. The syrupy bread with the halawa was amazing. I loved the texture and the sweetness! What an incredible morning in Hrajel!
Where have you been?
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About Me:
My name is David Hoffmann. For the last 13 years, I have traveled the world in search of unique destinations and cuisines. Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have explored over 1,200 destinations in 84 countries, while documenting them on my KZbin channels, travel blog, and social media sites.
I focus mostly on cuisine, culture, and historical sites, but my passion is food! I love to experience and showcase the different flavors each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining.
Where have you been?
P.S. Thank you for watching my videos and subscribing!

[@WilliamKShank]

Food looks AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! The scenery was beautiful. Safe Journey! CHOLULA!!!

[@Sonia-hc2sn]

Thanks for showing some of the goodness in my country 🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧

[@keithmartin8541]

Great video David ! Your buddy is very humble an kind man , the snow looks great on the temple It would be nice to walk around there . Awesome video food looked amazing

[@preenskh4799]

David lebanon is very good country people is so amazing hospilaty is so good enjoy only i am so many times visit to lebanon

[@jojoarienza1777]

FLAT BREAD 🥪 LEBANESE AND SAWARMA BEEF CHICKEN BEEF DELICIOUS 😋

[@mathewrichards7309]

Lebanese food is life changing I miss living in the middle east

[@jitendranair4060]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@alhassan_.]

🥰👍

[@layaly_asmr]

❤❤❤❤

[@user-wm4lm1jq5u]

❤️

[@carvingtheway]

Chilly hot... Under chilling temperatures 😁😁😁😁❄️❄️🎄❄️❄️☃️☃️☃️

[@islynmercurius3338]

Good video food looks delicious the way you ate tells me you enjoyed every thing also you friend explanation of everything was good too thanks for sharing David 😊

[@emotozeeextremo]

Come back to Lebanon soon🇱🇧❤

[@elienehme_]

Zaatar explainer: Thyme, oregano, hyssop and marjoram are all referred to as Zaatar in Lebanon and they are used in different ways. However the zaatar you eat in a manouché is actually Lebanese oregano mixed with sumac, roasted sesame seeds and salt. Other Levantine countries have their own Zaatar mix of herbs and spices, but in Lebanon, it's traditionally those four ingredients that make up the zaatar mix for manouché.

[@hallanagar62]

Marjoram in Za’atar ?

[@HypurrrBoy]

In Lebanon, people know how to eat good. That's for sure.

[@GBraidi78]

My hometown is Feitroun which is very close to Faraya and Hrajel. I live in Chicago and love your videos bro.

[@liveinlove5958]

Food looks absolutely amazing however their country maybe snowy at this time it is quite beautiful to see them in diffrent seasons as well.for even under the snow the ancient ruins looked lovely..

[@liveinlove5958]

Many thanks for your videos

[@elaceaceak2357]

Technically the word Lebanon means white mountain so yes snow 🤷🌨️❄️ Still like you said beautiful

[@vuongers]

Love your content mate. Keep them coming!!

[@metalmuumuu4181]

The best Lebanese food I ate was in Paris, close to the Eiffel tower. Huge Lebanese population there, super authentic. Wonderful food.

[@ross49452]

Thats because the French had a massive influence in Lebanon, a large population of Lebanon still speak French to this day ❤️

[@crabmusic1]

that sounds delicious I love to try different foods this way you know if you like them and continue to dying on bed that's how you learn about cultures and that's how you learn the goodness of other people is through who in conversation and each country is different taste of coffee in the pastries I'm glad you had a good time there peace ☮️🇺🇸

[@bacheloreating3423]

Lebaneese food is nice, had it a few times

[@purushottam4728]

Ultimate

[@EddieAppell]

Great video David! Those flat breads look amazing! I use Za'atar and love it, but I always thought it as a spice mix? Doesn't it have sumac, oregano, sesame seeds and thyme? I could be wrong, but any way you slice it, it's delicious! While you're in Lebanon, you HAVE TO try the amazing dessert, Aish el Soraya. It's incredibly tasty...

[@afifamyouni673]

you have to visit Ehden and Bsharreh and try their food there and explore the holy valley

[@jojoarienza1777]

THE LEBANESE FOOD DELICIOUS FOOD LIKE PIZZA 🍕

[@elaceaceak2357]

Those are not pizza they are fold in the shape of a taco usually and we get them for breakfast and there is no tomato sauce or something like that and even the bread isn't like the pizza one ....

[@ravimanrakhan1602]

You're finally in 🇹🇹👍👏 Make sure you eat everthing. Be safe and do enjoy every minute... Hope someone can also convince Matk Weins to visit

[@MiroslavMates]

Oh yeah the Labne! I know it as Labneh from my Jordan friends and I roll it to small balls and put it to oil...it lasts for ages like that, love it and easy to make home from good quality yoghurt

[@najibhourany6025]

I am happy because you are enjoying in my country

[@WalkWithRooha]

love from me wish to visit there ❤️❤️

[@JustCookAndDrinks133]

I'm hungry feels.. Watching. . Full support here 🇰🇼🇵🇭..

[@jaggill5829]

Why do you relate every single thing you eat to something from another cultures or place, don’t think they appreciate that

[@annebell7274]

WoW !!!!!!!! Looked amazing. Lovely people. 🌿🌿🍃💚🍃🌿🌿

[@WalkWithRooha]

sweet comment dear friend

[@annebell7274]

@@WalkWithRooha Ooohhh thank you so much. It's true, every word 😉😉🌿🍃💚🍃🌿

[@samtannouri3665]

Without a doubt Lebanese food is the best in the world .

[@sherriw7673]

omg...I absolutely find Halvah to be my kryptonite! And having a freshly made one with that warm/buttered bread...My idea of heaven❤❤

[@vincentdaryll7108]

U seem so very peaceful n good person u always complement it🙂🙂🙂love it

[@harlzberg6068]

Hilarious, Davidshakingitrough, no booze haha. Classic alcoholic, I need a coffee after every bite. It's a sign man, your in the region of flavor, so go and check out the amazing lebanese hashish.

[@yoursbsumbody]

Reach! Your big fan.

[@carlo716]

Erzal will always be my favorite place de have breakfast at 🇱🇧

[@mathewrichards7309]

Try Lebanese restaurant in America

[@WalkWithRooha]

my ❤️ to you from Persian Girl🇮🇷🇮🇷🥰 good luck guys be best ever 💪💪💪

[@indapamod]

19:00... David is undoubtedly a true Indian food lover 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@vincentdaryll7108]

I love it

[@littlebird7940]

Yow david! besides being addicted to ur videos and you behaving so genuinely HOW DO YOU FIT ALL THESE FOOD IN UR STOMACH? 😅 im rly curiousss and how do u stay that fit No envy ENJOYYYYY❤️❤️

[@LoverOFhopeANDcompassion]

Nobody makes home cooking food anymore? koussa mehshi or batinjan mehshi kishk Kibbi Tabbouli Fattoush healthy dishes its all pizza like foods showcased

[@MrDecapitate]

of course they still make that kind of food, the guides just didn't take him to such places or maybe took him there and didn't order that kind of stuff

[@elaceaceak2357]

Of course we do I am Lebanese and every single Lebanese family does those but we don't go to restaurants to eat those because that's what we eat daily we call it taba5

[@greenleaf8226]

They are not PIZZAs...i could go to Italy eat a Bolognese and call it Chinese noodle stirfry!!! considering the Cinese invented noodles and it was at some point exported to Italy. Italy calls their baked dough topped with cheese etc...a pizza. but they were not the 1st to eat this way of eating...it is not difficult to refer to foods by their origional names

[@SonicBoom474]

11:33 it is in no way the coldest winter, not even close lmao. But this was a very cold month of March. Also regarding the amounts of snow they aren't exceptional at all, I would say they are on the low side. check here for example from year 1983 and that was mostly form one storm only. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o36ke2qarMSCl6M&ab_channel=ZavenKouyoumdjian (go to 00:54)

[@SonicBoom474]

year 1992 was also crazy in term of snow even at low altitude (some say it was caused by some volcano). Every few years there is some big sow (50 cm for example) at relatively low altitudes. The past 10 years had relatively low amounts of snow compared to the average. Climate change in particular is really felt in Lebanon, with the winter starting super late.

[@RivkaMacales]

I wouldn't say Za'atar is like tyme. It's different. It's kinda it's own thing. (I live in the middle east and am very familliar with it)

[@Bunnerberry]

Whys everything so expensive in the states

[@anff]

Try the labne cucumbers and zaatar with bread n3xt time Habib

[@nancypelosiguys4767]

Mmm

[@nigelroopnarine8953]

Hear u r I trinidad.wish we cud me 4 ah second

[@poisonkiss201]

cant wait to see your Trinidad adventure!!!

[@youssefzgheib1014]

Jalset al erzal 🇱🇧❤️

[@WalkWithRooha]

love from me to you ❤️❤️🇮🇷

[@jacobhaddad363]

Hey Brother did you get a divorce? Only asking cause I've noticed most of your videos lately you aren't wearing your wedding band.

[@abouchedidnicolas]

Awesome video💃🏼

[@yvesabiaad5491]

Beautiful area, I grew up there.

[@WalkWithRooha]

love from me to you too❤️❤️

[@smartman123]

welcome to Lebanon cheers

[@samirkotecha9481]

I love Lebanese food.

[@vintageradioman]

David I just subscribed to your channel. Try Afghani food I am sure you will love it.

[@dumbtydumptydonuttrumpisal8563]

Armando is the best ever video buddy of David’s!!! Hands down!

[@emilybh6255]

The zest of a lemon comes from the yellow part of the skin which is grated or peeled from the lemon -not the juice.

[@bipin.greatvideo.theporklo3827]

Great video again David but you need boots to walk on snow

[@bfh05]

Stop trying to be like Mark Weins.

[@bigkahona8444]

اهو مستوعب ان هذي الاسعار بسبه الوضع الحالي؟ تعتبر جدا غاليه اصلا

[@Weston777]

Professional drunk 🥴

[@the1nonly451]

That yogurt with honey would be 🔥

[@Cxcxzxc]

Dance while eating=Good food

[@shairahoward5594]

Do you have Waraanamh?

[@emotozeeextremo]

The first ppl seem so nice

[@Cxcxzxc]

love this content! Thanks man!

[@Wakeup275]

❤️❤️❤️❤️thankyou David

[@gwyngaibriel123]

Cool

[@anilkumarnarula6530]

Everything lovable

[@marynavrkal2359]

Eggs with meat are very common in America. What part are you from?

[@MrDecapitate]

kawarma is not just any meat, its preserved lamb meat that's cooked with salt and alot of lamb fat and stored in jars, they traditionally used to make it in the mountains and save it for cold winter days, u wont find kawarma anywhere outside lebanon and its very fatty and have a unique taste.

[@RaniaKaram]

Beautiful episode

[@charbelgh]

Thanks for sharing

[@sakuraharuno5403]

Second view 😶

[@Bunnerberry]

God I want that food

[@carvingtheway]

Cheers 🥂🤣😂

[@vincentdaryll7108]

1 view david

[@rumik-stahnke6512]

AMAZING video 👍😁

[@sakuraharuno5403]

Second

[@ameyamagashe]

Oh wow holy yummy

[@troyhenrygent]

great video

[@allthingsiraqi3703]

Is it safe to go to Lebanon now?

[@tarekmattar3847]

If you have $ you will be rich but now there is electricity crisis but if you money you can buy something to get 24/7 electricity

[@gabrielherera2110]

Yes its safe and if you have $ its good

[@elaceaceak2357]

Yes 💯

[@elaceaceak2357]

💯 and it is very cheap and don't worry for the false news about electricity and those stuff you can easily find hotels that have 24/24 electricity and everything is cheap and even traffics are less

[@elaceaceak2357]

I would say the best time to go to Lebanon is right now let me tell you why : Everything became sooooo cheap And because Lebanese people don't have money they can't by fuel so the traffics are less (I am not saying there is no fuel I am saying that Lebanese people don't have money to buy it but as a tourist it's cheap and you can just take a taxi 🚕🚖

[@pukkijonson2866]

ARMENIA best of the best country all the world ✌✌💪

[@crazykgchandra]

1st view.. 1st comment

[@ramyibrahim1688]

❤🇱🇧

[@WalkWithRooha]

❤️❤️❤️to you from me 🇮🇷🇮🇷

[@rajendarbalmiki4239]

🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@Unknown-bb4rj]

Oh yeah just so people know manakeish is not pizza

[@z.k.7018]

I never knew it's snow in Lebanese

[@tarekmattar3847]

It has all 4 seasons and in 3 days it will go from winter to spring

[@gabrielherera2110]

@@tarekmattar3847 yeah bro bye winter ,but the snow will take until summer till it melts

[@elaceaceak2357]

Bro we have the biggest sky resort in the middle east

[@elaceaceak2357]

Like 70% of Lebanon are mountains and waterfalls are everywhere and the remaining 30% are on the beach

[@elaceaceak2357]

We are the only Arab country and the only middle eastern country without a desert

[@emilybh6255]

Eggs, meat, bread and cheese - 4 of the most difficult foods to digest.

[@Roberto-rdm53]

Enough of these food videos that are always the same! There is not only Middle Eastern cuisine to try ...

[@lindasio9348]

All that raw meat is making me nauseous. Parasites parasites parasites.

[@28Justchecking]

Lol its the best

[@liaqataliliaqatali773]

ڈیوڈ دوست لبنان کے ویڈیو سہارے اب تک بکواس ھے اپ مارک کے ویڈیو دیکھیں پتہ نہیں گاھیڈ اپکا نہیں جانتا ھے کھانوں کے بارے میں

[@eskigunler62]

bu uydurma lahmacun falan değil gel Türkiye'ye gerçek lahmacun nasıl yapılır gör ,ye lezzetini farket bu arada kebablarda Türkiye'de aynen dönerde Türkiye'de yenir

[@raider5921]

Did you eat at any good Hizbullah restaurants? The Nasrallah meatloaf is amazing.

[@greenleaf8226]

what a dumb comment... trying to be smart