Souk el Akel

Lebanon’s street food market

Rasha Noureddine

“Souk El Akel” literally means “food market” in Arabic. But in a country such as Lebanon, with its rich food tradition, its openness to diverse cultures, people that can talk for hours about food, cheese, “douceurs” (sweets) and local specialties… and with so many expatriates travelling back and forth from all around the world, Souk el Akel is a street food festival like none other. Bringing together the biggest foodies with some of the coolest food innovations, mixing Levantine traditions and world fooding, Souk El Akel gives you the opportunity to rediscover Lebanon’s diverse food and culinary environment, uniquely prepared by over 25 handpicked food vendors and outlets.

The image features a wooden table with two sandwiches displayed on wooden boards. In the foreground, there is a sandwich halved, showcasing its filling, which appears to include shredded meat and some greens. In the background, there are more sandwiches that appear stacked, possibly with various ingredients like lettuce and tomatoes. The overall setting suggests a casual dining atmosphere, highlighting the appetizing appearance of the sandwiches.
Pictures: Rasha Noureddine for Orient Palms

It’s a weekly social event that takes place every Thursday from 5-11, in the heart of Downtown Beirut. Regularly, Souk el Akel also travels across different towns and cities in Lebanon. Even to Egypt…

The image shows two people standing together outdoors at night, likely in a lively setting. One person, wearing a maroon hijab and a matching dress, is smiling and holding a phone. The other person, dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans, is also smiling and leaning slightly. The background features greenery and illuminated surroundings, suggesting a casual and friendly atmosphere.
With Anthony Rahayel

The man behind the festival, Anthony Rahayel, founder of nogarlicnoonions, suggests an original idea about the “roots” of street food in the lebanese way of living: “I always believed that we in Lebanon have created a concept of street food, but we didn’t know it was named street food: we eat manousheh, we eat shawarma sandwiches, we eat falafel, we eat anything on the street and we never knew it’s a street food until lately!”

Soon as you enter the market, you will immediately be hit by a waft of delicious smells. Specialties from all around the world are revisited in a local manner at Souk El Akel: the market boasts a wide selection of foods ranging from Japanese with the new Sushi Burrito, to Nigerian street food with Sirreh on a stick. Deserts take on their own special twist in this food festival with local businesses such as Froozabooza and Pop City Lb.

The image features a salad in a rustic clay bowl. The salad includes fresh spinach leaves, cubes of white cheese, and is garnished with a mix of spices or herbs, which adds a colorful touch. The bowl sits on a table with a red and white polka dot tablecloth, and there are some paper napkins and takeout containers in the background. The overall presentation looks appetizing and fresh.

Travelling has almost become a “raison d’être” for Lebanese people. So don’t be surprised when you meet Fadi, owner of Ichi Ban, explaining that: “The sushi burrito is a concept that started in Singapore and then moved to the U.S.. It’s still at the early beginning, and we did it in Lebanon. Of course we did it with passion, and it’s doing very well.”

The image features a close-up of a piece of sushi on a small wooden plate. The sushi roll is presented in a cross-section, showcasing layers of rice and various fillings, which may include fish and vegetables. It's topped with a drizzle of sauce, possibly mayonnaise or a similar condiment. The background appears to have more sushi rolls, highlighting a vibrant and colorful presentation. The setting has a warm ambiance, likely in a restaurant or food market.

Or the people from Raclette Cheese, who brought back this melting cheese from the Alps mountains: “I’m serving Raclette, a kind of Swiss cheese that melts really quickly. It’s Swiss, but it is served a lot more in France. I got started when I saw it in Paris, and thought of bringing the idea here.”

The image features a person holding three sushi rolls wrapped in paper. Each roll is filled with a variety of ingredients, including salmon, lettuce, and possibly other fillings. The rolls have a seaweed exterior and are presented on a wooden table, giving a casual dining vibe. The person's attire suggests a relaxed setting, with a checkered shirt visible.

Changing every week, the list of foods offered at Souk El Akel are ever diverse. From fish sandwiches, all kinds of burgers, specialty fries, gourmet manakish, ice cream, popsicles, cuban sandwiches, sushi burritos, tacos and tortillas, to vertically smoked salmon, Souk El Akel is where the best food is. The event sees hundreds of visitors on the weekly with fan favorites often running out fast. With an exciting ambiance and welcoming atmosphere, Lebanese foodies get to meet their favorite local chefs and vendors, creative artisans and talented cooks, all at first hand.

The image features a cup of rolled ice cream topped with pieces of kiwi. The ice cream is arranged in a swirl, showcasing its creamy texture. The cup is colorful, with a playful design that includes the phrase "Any time is frooza time!" and branding that likely reads "frozabooza." The background appears to be a metal surface, possibly where the ice cream was prepared. Overall, it presents a delightful and inviting treat.

But is all this only about food? Anthony Rahayel confides: “I always had the idea of gathering people around food, because unfortunately in Lebanon we only gather around politics. So it’s all about gathering people on a Thursday, putting a smile on people’s face, and reviving Beirut, that has unfortunately become a ghost city.” Socializing has never been so delicious.