Gigi Hadid is a big fan of Middle Eastern cooking. The model once wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that some of her other favorite foods include tabbouleh (a refreshing salad with mint and bulgur wheat) and labneh (a thick, tangy yogurt). She has also posted her recipe for bread with za’atar seasoning on Instagram, and on one episode of Beat Bobby Flay, she showed off her falafel-making skills, which she learned from her dad (Palestinian-American real estate developer, Mohamed Hadid).
Hadid’s heritage is likely a big part of why she loves Middle Eastern food, which encompasses food not just from Palestine, but from all across the region, including countries like Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Bahrain. But this cuisine is also filled with fresh flavor, bold spices, and nutrient-dense ingredients. If you want to learn to cook like Hadid, the best place to start is your local Middle Eastern grocery store.
Why shop at a Middle Eastern grocery store?
Middle Eastern food is growing in popularity across the US. There isn’t much data on exactly how popular it is, but generally speaking: in 2025, the US ethnic food market, which includes Middle Eastern stores and restaurants, was valued at more than $29 billion.
“There is no data on this. No one is tracking it,” Matthew Jaber Stiffler, a research and content manager at the Arab American National Museum, told Arab News. “Nobody is tracking how many of those restaurants exist in each city. Food entrepreneurship in the Arab community is huge and has grown in the last 20 years.”
Middle Eastern grocery stores are also more common. You can check out online stores like Mideast Grocers and Hashems, for example, but arguably, it’s more satisfying to browse the shelves in the flesh at your neighborhood store.
These grocery stores often carry specialty ingredients that may not be readily available in regular supermarkets. Think spices like sumac, for example, which is an essential ingredient in one of Hadid’s favorites, za’atar. Depending on the location and the type of product you’re looking to buy, Middle Eastern grocery stores can offer more affordable prices for certain items, especially when it comes to bulk buying spices or grains, for example.
But checking out your local Middle Eastern grocery store also means supporting your local community, as many are independently owned.
The best plant-based foods to buy from your local Middle Eastern grocery store
Shopping at a Middle Eastern grocery store allows you to access a wide variety of authentic, fresh, and unique products, like those used in Hadid’s favorite recipes. We’ve included a few of the highlights below.
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1 Falafel
Falafel, a fried ball of chickpeas or fava beans with herbs and spices, is high in protein and fiber, and it’s packed with flavor. The dish likely originated in Egypt, but there are different versions of the protein-packed savory treats enjoyed across the Middle East, and, indeed, all over the world. In fact, more than 41,000 eateries across the US have falafel on the menu. But you can save a trip to the restaurant by buying fully formed falafel from Middle Eastern stores, as well as falafel kits (depending on how much effort you want to make).
Try it in a recipe: Perfect Vegan Falafel Pita Pockets With Tahini Sauce
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2 Turmeric
Turmeric is a bright orange spice packed with antioxidants and a rich, slightly bitter, earthy flavor. It originates from India, but it’s also a staple in Middle Eastern recipes, including Iranian pilaf, for example, and Turkish kebabs. Turmeric is incredibly versatile—it can also be used to add color and flavor to vegan tofu scramble, as well as curries, soups, and even juices.
Try it in a recipe: Creamy Carrot Ginger Turmeric Soup
3 Za’atar
Za’atar—which is a combination of dried herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac—is a popular and aromatic spice blend commonly used in Middle Eastern dishes. It can be sprinkled on everything from vegetables to dips to salads to liven up the flavor with tangy, earthy, and savory notes. You can usually easily find the individual components of za’atar in the spice section of Middle Eastern grocery stores, but you can often find it pre-mixed, too.
Try it in a recipe: Za’atar-Seared Broccoli Steaks With Toasted Hazelnuts
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4 Hummus
Hummus is arguably one of the most popular Middle Eastern foods in the world. Per Fortune Business Insights, the global market was valued at more than $4 billion in 2024 and is expected to rise to more than $10 billion by 2032. While you’ll find hummus in most mainstream grocery stores, it’s also a staple in Middle Eastern stores, too. Enjoy it with everything from traditional mezze to crudites to potato chips to pasta.
Try it in a recipe: Simple, Creamy Vegan Tomato Hummus Pasta
5 Tahini
Tahini, a spread made with ground, roasted sesame seeds, has been eaten across the Middle East for thousands of years, likely originating in what is now modern-day Iraq. Similar to hummus, it’s thick, creamy, and incredibly versatile. It can bring texture to everything from kebabs to sandwiches to salads.
Try it in a recipe: Vegan Tahini Caesar Salad With Smoked Chickpeas
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6 Mint
Known for its distinctly refreshing flavor, mint is a favorite in many Middle Eastern dishes. It’s often drunk in tea, for example, but it’s also a key part of tabbouleh recipes, and it can also be added to yogurts, salads, and meatballs, too. Aside form its unique flavor, mint is associated with improving digestion, relieving stomach pain, and promoting relaxation.
Try it in a recipe: Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower With Cilantro and Mint
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7 Olives
Olives are a big part of Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. In fact, the olive tree is native to many Middle Eastern regions, including modern-day Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. Olives are packed with nutrients (including monounsaturated fats and antioxidants), and you’ll usually find them in jars in most Middle Eastern stores. Snack on them as they are, or mix them into recipes like tapenade or pasta, for example.
Try it in a recipe: Vegan Penne Puttanesca With Salty Olives and Capers
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8 Olive oil
If you’re looking for high-quality olive oil, a Middle Eastern grocery store is one of the best places to look. Olive oil is a staple product in Middle Eastern cuisine, and these stores typically carry a wide variety of types and brands. Zejd, for example, is a renowned Lebanese brand of olive oil, while Taris is a popular Turkish variety.
Try it in a recipe: Grain-Free Vegan Lemon Olive Oil Cake
9 Bulgur wheat
Bulgur wheat is a staple in many Middle Eastern dishes, including tabbouleh, soups, and pilaf. It’s chewy, a little nutty, and incredibly nutritious, thanks to its fiber, protein, and iron content. A Middle Eastern store is one of the best places to find bulgur wheat, with various types and sizes available for different recipes.
Try it in a recipe: Easy Vegan Bulgur Tabbouleh Salad
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10 Dried fruits
Middle Eastern stores often carry a wide selection of high-quality, sun-dried fruits that are healthier and more flavorful than what you’d find in typical supermarkets. Think dates, figs, raisins, and apricots, for example, all of which are used in many Middle Eastern desserts and baked goods. But dried fruits aren’t just for cooking, they’re also a pretty tasty snack, too.
Try it in a recipe: Easy Vegan Apple Raisin Fruit Crisp
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