TEHRAN – As the countdown has started to welcome Nowruz, the Persian New Year’s holidays, Kermanshah province is poised to showcase itself to holidaymakers as one of Iran’s top culinary destinations.

“Considering Kermanshah being selected as the creative city of gastronomy by UNESCO,” Kermanshah’s deputy tourism chief noted, “It’s important to make use of the title in the introduction and advertising programs.”

Speaking at a provincial tourism coordination meeting held on Tuesday, Vahid Amiri outlined endeavors aiming to host tourists deservedly in the course of the upcoming Nowruz. The official said the Nowruz programs are planned to unfold from March 14 till April 12.

Considering the convergence of Nowruz and the holy month of Ramadan, the official outlined the necessity of informing travelers about active hospitability centers in the arrival spots of the city.

In concluding remarks, Amiri uncovered some arranged plans within the province featuring thematic decorations, setting up the "Haft-Seen" and celebrating the birth anniversary of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS) on March 26.

It is noteworthy UNESCO picked Kermanshah as a creative city of gastronomy in 2021.

Here is a selection of seven dishes that are highly popular in Kermanshah:

Dande Kebab

Kebab has a special place among Iranians. Dande Kebab (lamb ribs kebab) is one of the original, official, famous, and delicious Kebabs in Kermanshah.

Kermanshahi chefs prepare a sauce with a combination of tomato paste, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and saffron and pour it on kebabs repeatedly during the cooking and preparation process. After cooking the food it can be served with rice or bread decorated with onion, lemon, or sour orange.

Khoresht-e Khalal

This is one of the most popular competitors of Dande Kebab. Khoresht-e Khalal has a specific feature: it can satisfy different people with different tastes. So, everybody will enjoy it.

Its ingredients are usually lamb meat, slices of almond, black barberry, saffron, oil, onion, salt, Omani Limon, and so on. This delectable Khoresht is served with rice. This Khoresht contains lots of iron and protein, so eat in Kermanshah and get the power of a champion – Kermanshah people are enthusiastic fans of champions and championships.

Ash-e Abbas Ali

Kermanshah is really cold during the winter, that’s why people cook various kinds of “Ashes” or thick soups in the cold season. One of the most popular and delicious winter dishes of Kermanshah is Ash-e Abbas Ali.

The story of the food, according to what people say, goes back to the First Pahlavi period. In this single period of history, religious rituals were prohibited for a while. That is why a person named Abbas Ali began cooking this kind of Ash in a mosque and distributing it among people. The Ash, therefore, was known as Ash-e Abbas Ali.

Today, Ash-e Abbas Ali is very popular among people. You can enjoy its delicious taste if you are visiting Kermanshah in winter.

Jegar-o Boz

You can have Jegar-o Boz only in Kermanshah. This is a completely different dish. Jegar-o Boz is a kind of local sausage but a really healthy one. It is prepared by the liver of sheep – yummy.

The liver of sheep is kebabed (roasted) under the ashes of the fire. When it is cooked, it should be mixed with salt, pepper, and turmeric.

Kookooye Paghare

Paghare is one of the popular vegetables that grow on Kermanshah’s mountains. People use vegetables to cook a local dish named Kookooye Paghare. In addition to its pleasing odor, this vegetable has some medical properties as well.

Notice that using Paghare to cure diseases related to the stomach and intestines is recommended by doctors. You can find this mountain vegetable in Kermanshah markets during the spring.  Kookooye Paghare should be cooked with egg, flour, vegetables, turmeric, oil, onion, and garlic. In fact, vegetarians can eat in Kermanshah healthy foods.

Sib Polo

The variety of Iranian Polos is due to the use of different vegetables. There is a specific kind of Polo cooked in Kermanshah named Sib Polo. The name of the Polo is because of the great amount of Sibzamini (potato) in the dish. In fact, potato is the main ingredient of this Polo – after rice of course.

Sib Polo is one of the delectable Polos you have ever enjoyed. The ingredients of Sib Polo include potato, mutton, raisin, saffron, date, and butter.

Valak Polo

Mountain vegetables are really popular among Kermanshah people. That’s why people are healthy; you may also want to eat in Kermanshah and enjoy healthy foods.

Kermanshah people cook one of their tasty local dishes by the use of another mountain vegetable named Valak or Kool – as local people say. This is also one of the useful vegetables growing in spring.

The other ingredients of Valak Polo include beef tongue, local oil, rice, salt, saffron, and pepper. You can cook the Polo with chicken, fish, or mutton as well.