It is actually a blend of spices, including familiar ones like oregano and cumin as well as ones we don't often see in the U.S., such as sumac and hyssop. It is combined with sesame seeds and dusted over breads, hummus and grilled meats. It tastes earthy and tangy at the same time.
I've been making a point to try lots of foods while I've been here. Some of my favorites have been hummus, malawach and knafeh.
Hummus here is in a league of its own. The hummus that's popular at home to dip carrots in is a far cry from the chickpea mash they serve here. Rather than just serving as a dip, it can be a full meal. It is usually served warm and freshly made, with some cooked whole chickpeas ladled on top and a drizzle of olive oil. Sometimes a sprinkle of za'atar completes it, or sometimes it's served with a sliced hardboiled egg on top. That is one thing I find a little bit unusual: many foods are accompanied by a hardboiled egg. Hummus can be either served alone with some olives and bread on the side or it can be served with grilled meats or veggies on top. If you can imagine this, you can just eat it with a spoon! In case that's not your style, they'll also give you warm and fluffy pita bread on the side to scoop it up.
Malawach is a dish based on traditional Yemeni bread that is flaky, kind of like the phyllo dough used in baklava or Greek spanikopita. The inside of the puffy bread is filled with onions, garlic, spicy pepper paste, egg, vegetables and a drizzle of tehina (sesame paste) on top. It's very simple, but the flavor of it is amazing. It's also surprisingly filling!
