taco

Bambalouni, Tunisia's street-food version of doughnuts, is the very definition of a guilty indulgence, deep-fried to an epic greasiness, sprinkled with sugar. But it's entirely enjoyable, served warm and fresh, like much of the fare from the sidewalk shops here, perfect for refuelling after a long afternoon spent wandering the remains of Carthage.

Take some crusty bread, tear it up in a bowl and mix it with chickpeas, egg and a hot, garlicky soup with olive oil, harissa and cumin - the result is lablabi, the comfort food of Tunisia, available in streetside eateries across this country for as little as a few ringgit per portion.

Considered one of Islam's holiest cities, Kairouan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been a hotbed of scholarship for more than 1,300 years. It's also famous among Tunisians for being the birthplace of makroudh, a sweet semolina pastry stuffed with dates and nuts - a calorie bomb in every bite, but everybody buys it by the box to present to family and friends. This post first appeared on eatdrinkkl.com