Masgouf
Fire-roasted butterflied carp from the Tigris
Think of it as: Like a campfire-smoked salmon plank, but a whole carp
Butterfly a carp. Prop it by the fire.
What does it taste like?
Smoky, juicy white fish with a rich, fatty edge.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureTender and flaky
What is it?
Carp split open along the back, staked upright around an open fire and slow-roasted for hours. It's Iraq's national dish, famously served at riverside restaurants on the Tigris in Baghdad.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Pick your fish at a riverside restaurant, watch it roast, then eat it by hand on flatbread.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇮🇶Iraq
CapitalBaghdad
Populationabout 48 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesOil, Agriculture (dates)
Famous peopleZaha HadidBaghdad-born architect famous for flowing curves
HelloMarhaba (Arabic)
CurrencyIraqi dinar
And JapanFrom 2004 to 2006, Japan's Self-Defense Forces supplied water and repaired schools in Samawah.
Fun factThe land between the Tigris and Euphrates, Mesopotamia, is where writing and the wheel were born.
The flag🇮🇶 Red, white and black are pan-Arab colors; the green script reads 'God is great'.
From Tokyoabout 8,350 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Baghdad
Getting thereabout 14 hours+ (with a connection)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cooler months, November to March. Always check travel advisories. Also tryDolmaKubbaKahi (breakfast pastry)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cooler months, November to March. Always check travel advisories. Also tryDolmaKubbaKahi (breakfast pastry)
🇮🇶 Sounds & life in Iraq
مرحباHello（Marhaba (Arabic)）
Arabic script
Arabic script
Right now…
AnthemMawtini (My Homeland)
MusicIraqi maqam Improvised classical singing on ancient melodic modes
Listen on YouTube SportFootball (soccer)
Younis Mahmoud (football, captain of the 2007 Asian Cup winners) World HeritageBabylon and more FestivalEid (Islamic festivals, including the end of Ramadan)
MusicIraqi maqam Improvised classical singing on ancient melodic modes
Listen on YouTube SportFootball (soccer)
Younis Mahmoud (football, captain of the 2007 Asian Cup winners) World HeritageBabylon and more FestivalEid (Islamic festivals, including the end of Ramadan)
Ingredients
- 1 carp (about 2 kg)
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tomato and 1 onion
- Flatbread
- Pickles
Can't find it? Large sea bream or sea bass works if carp isn't available.
How to make it (one way)
- Split the carp along the back, open it flat and clean it.
- Rub with salt, turmeric and oil.
- Stake it upright around a wood fire and roast for 1 to 2 hours.
- Finish skin-side down over the embers, topped with tomato and onion.
- Serve with flatbread and pickles.
⚠️ It's a freshwater fish, so cook it all the way through.