Ashe Jo, Traditional Persian Food Iran is a vast country with amazing diversity in geographical features, climatic conditions, cultural elements, and groups of ethnicity. Each region enjoys its unique customs, languages or dialects, traditions, clothes, and cuisine. The common feature in all regions is that Iranian cuisine is not just about mixing the ingredients, but also about how to mix which ingredients in what quantity so that the final product looks like an arty healthy meal. One of the most popular foods among all regions is Aush or Ash (the Persian style of soup). Persian food includes a wide range of traditional soups such as Ashe Jo (Barley Soup) which is one of the most popular soups served at most Persian restaurants and ceremonies. Here, you will learn how to make Ashe Jo in Persian style. If you are interested in Persian Food Tours, do not hesitate to contact us. Ashe Jo (Bean, chickpea, and herb soup), an Iranian dish Ingredients (for 5 to 6 people): 4 tablespoons of dried chickpeas 3 tablespoons of dried red beans (the ones used in Iran have small white marks) 3 tablespoons of lentils 4 tablespoons of oatmeal 4 tablespoons of wheat 3 tablespoons of porridge mix 500g mixture of fresh herbs: coriander, parsley, chives, dill, and spinach sprouts 1 tablespoon of dried mint 6 chicken legs or chicken stock 2 tablespoons of oil 2 onions 4 cloves of garlic 3 or 4 tablespoons of dried onions (to serve) Kashk * Salt & pepper Recipe: First, the day before, soak overnight the chickpeas and beans. After peeling and chopping the onions, cook them in a skillet until soft. Then, mix all the ingredients, add the stock to cover, and cook gently for about 30 minutes. Finally, just before serving, put on the
Ashe Jo, Traditional Persian Food Iran is a vast country with amazing diversity in geographical features, climatic conditions, cultural elements, and groups of ethnicity. Each region enjoys its unique customs, languages or dialects, traditions, clothes, and cuisine. The common feature in all regions is that Iranian cuisine is not just about mixing the ingredients, but
Khoresht-e Khalal, an Iranian Food Khoresht-e Khalal Badam or Silver Almond Stew is a delicious and fragrant Iranian food that originates from Kermanshah province, west of Iran. It is usually prepared in formal ceremonies, but you can easily order it in some restaurants too. So, if a Kermanshahi invited you to Khorest-e Khalal for lunch or dinner, be aware that you have been their VIP! Let's learn how to make this mouthwatering Persian food. A stew of flaked and crushed almonds A dish from the Kermanshah region Ingredients: (For 5 to 6 people) 1 large onion or 2 small 1kg of braising beef cut in pieces (150 g per person) 100 g of crushed almonds soaked overnight in rose water 1 pinch of saffron steeped in water with an ice cube (about 5 cl of water) 100 g of barberries steeped for a few minutes in cold water 1 tablespoon of tomato concentrate 5 cardamom pods 1 tablespoon of dried crushed rose buds 6 dried lemons steeped in cold water for a few minutes 2 tablespoons of sesame oil with a little water How to make it: Peel and chop finely the onions. Put them into a heavy skillet with the cold sesame oil and water. Cook gently until soft. Add the pieces of meat, the drained barberries, the almonds with the rose water, the cardamom, the rose buds, and 20 cl of water. Cover with water. Add the tomato concentrate and 3 tablespoons for the saffron-water mixture. Cook gently for 4 hours or 1h30 in a pressure cooker. Add salt and cook for another 15 minutes Serve with rice cooked in the Iranian style. * You can also make this tasty bright-color stew with poultry such as chicken according to your taste. If you are vegetarian, you
Khoresht-e Khalal, an Iranian Food Khoresht-e Khalal Badam or Silver Almond Stew is a delicious and fragrant Iranian food that originates from Kermanshah province, west of Iran. It is usually prepared in formal ceremonies, but you can easily order it in some restaurants too. So, if a Kermanshahi invited you to Khorest-e Khalal for lunch
Iranian Foods and Persian Cuisine Iran has numerous ethnic groups and tribes in its vast and historic land. Each ethnicity and tribe have its own traditional food according to geography and climate. The type of Iranian foods and Persian cuisine in the hot regions such as the Iran Deserts is very different from the northwest of Iran with its cold temperature. It also varies from the vegetarian food of the Caspian Sea to the spicy seafood of the Persian Gulf. The idea behind these distinct Persian dishes is not only to provide an endless variety of tasty recipes but, more importantly, for the food to have nourishing properties, using special herbs, to ensure a healthy body. To achieve this, it is vital to understand how traditional food was selected to suit the varying climatic conditions. The out-of-the-ordinary delicious Persian cuisine, combined with the colors of Iranian food, is for us the art of cooking. In our tradition, which goes back centuries, the hot and cold nature of the body and its temperament were taken into consideration when it was determined what to eat and where. This was to control the balance of this system. The ingredients, the root of everything we eat, are essential to keep our bodies from preventing illnesses rather than curing them. We are thankful and proud of our Persian medicine, developed over two thousand years, which is included in our every meal. In Iran, we call it ‘Iranian Traditional Medicine’, where some of our universities offer various programs about this ‘traditional medical science’. Not only, but also, this history of the hot and cold nature of our bodies has been followed by other traditions of medical science such as the Chinese, Greeks, Romans, etc. ‘Avicenna’ was an outstanding and highly admired Persian scientist who was and
Iranian Foods and Persian Cuisine Iran has numerous ethnic groups and tribes in its vast and historic land. Each ethnicity and tribe have its own traditional food according to geography and climate. The type of Iranian foods and Persian cuisine in the hot regions such as the Iran Deserts is very different from the northwest
Hyrcanian Forests in Iran (UNESCO) Iran has a large number of national parks and protected areas, including two Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is the Caspian Hyrcanian Forests. Located in northern Iran along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, the forest covers an area of 850km and, from a historical perspective, dates back to 25 to 50 million years ago. Hyrcanian Forests in Iran were registered as the second natural site of Iran on UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. The forests are named after the ancient region of Hyrcania, a historical region extended from southeast of the Caspian Sea in Iran and Turkmenistan. Hyrcanian Forest represent one of the planet’s oldest and most ecologically significant temperate forests. These lush woodlands of Hyrcanian forests survived the Ice Age, creating a living museum of biodiversity. Hyrcanian forests are home to 180 species of birds including Steppe Eagle, European Turtle Dove, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and Caspian Tit, as well as 58 species of mammals, including Panthera pardus tulliana (Persian leopard), and Wild Goat, while they only cover 7% of the country. The forest is extended across three Provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, and part of that covers the southeast part of the country of Azerbaijan. One of the habitats of this rare species is Jahan Nama protected area, that Adventure Iran’s “The Red Snake Wall and the Turkoman Plain” tour lies through. Why Are They Unique? Primeval Ecosystem: Home to 1,800+ plant species (including Persian ironwood and Caspian beech) and rare wildlife like the Caspian tiger (extinct) and Persian leopard (critically endangered). Climate Resilience: Their layered canopies and humidity trap moisture, forming a "green belt" that cools the region. Cultural Ties: Local communities, like the
Hyrcanian Forests in Iran (UNESCO) Iran has a large number of national parks and protected areas, including two Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is the Caspian Hyrcanian Forests. Located in northern Iran along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, the forest covers
Great Wall of Gorgan The remains of the Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as “The Red Snake Wall” due to the color of its bricks, are located in northern Iran in the Golestan Province. Dating back to the Sasanid dynasty, the wall was originally built in approx. 420-530AD, which makes it 1,000 years older than the Great Wall of China. It has the remains of 38 fortifications and stretches for almost 200km. The Wall is believed by some to be the longest manmade ancient barrier between Central Europe and China and even longer than the Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall put together. Since there was not any stone or timber in the area, the wall was constructed with bricks. Substantial sections of the Great Wall of Gorgan appear, however, to be buried under the Caspian Sea. Together with the Tammisheh Wall, a shorter defensive barrier of similar design, also dating from the Sasanid time, both walls were part of the same defense system and were built of large fired bricks of similar shape and size and lined by an earth bank and ditch supplied with water by the canals. The canals bridged the Gorgan River via qanats. The Wall and the canals prove the hydraulic engineering skills of the Iranians in the Sassanid era. https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-province-and-turkmen-plain-tourist-highlights/ https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-national-park/
Great Wall of Gorgan The remains of the Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as “The Red Snake Wall” due to the color of its bricks, are located in northern Iran in the Golestan Province. Dating back to the Sasanid dynasty, the wall was originally built in approx. 420-530AD, which makes it 1,000 years older
Gonbad-e Qabus Iran’s Towering UNESCO Masterpiece of Architecture Rising 52 meters above the skyline of Golestan Province, the Gonbad-e Qabus (also pronounced Gonbad-e Kavoos or Gonbad-e Kavus) is a striking brick tower and UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2012) that has dominated the northeastern Iranian plains for over a millennium. Built in 1006 AD for Qabus ibn Voshmgir, the Ziyarid ruler and scholar, this cylindrical tomb is a testament to Persian innovation in mathematics, astronomy, and early Islamic architecture. Why It’s Remarkable Architectural Marvel: The world’s tallest pure-brick tower, with a conical roof that defies gravity. Its design encodes geometric precision—10 triangular buttresses symbolize the 10 stars of Qabus’ zodiac sign (Capricorn). Acoustic Mystery: Whisper at the base, and your voice echoes unnaturally at the top—a feat still unexplained by engineers. Silk Road Legacy: Once a navigation beacon for caravans crossing the Karakum Desert toward Central Asia. Visiting Tips Best Time: Sunrise or sunset, when the brick glows gold against the steppe. Nearby: Pair with the Turkmen Plains or Gorgan’s ancient wall (the "Great Wall of Iran"). A small agricultural town of Gonbad-e Qabus lies approx. 500km east of Mashhad, in Golestan province, Iran. According to the two Kufic inscriptions encircling the construction, the tower was built in 1006 as a burial chamber for a Ziyarid prince. It is 72m high and is one of the tallest brick towers in the world. The tower walls are 3 meters thick and the tower itself is 17 meters in diameter. It is part of the world’s second-largest defense wall, the 155km-long Qizil Alan. The tower, built of unglazed baked bricks, is the only remaining evidence of the ancient city of Jorjan. Jorjan was the ancient Ziyarid capital, destroyed during the Mongols' invasion in the 14th and 15th centuries. Gonbad-e Qabus Tower is
Gonbad-e Qabus Iran’s Towering UNESCO Masterpiece of Architecture Rising 52 meters above the skyline of Golestan Province, the Gonbad-e Qabus (also pronounced Gonbad-e Kavoos or Gonbad-e Kavus) is a striking brick tower and UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2012) that has dominated the northeastern Iranian plains for over a millennium. Built in 1006 AD for
Shemshak Village Alborz Ski Region Shemshak village is one of the highest villages in Iran, situated in the heart of the Central Alborz Mountain, at 2,700 m altitude. It is only 65 km from the center of Tehran, about a 1 ½ hour drive to reach through a mountainous road. There is also a ski resort beside Shemshak village called Shemshak Ski resort. This ski resort is famous as it was the first to open in Iran in 1958, and is now the third largest ski resort in the country after Dizin and Darbandsar. Shemshak village is surrounded by numerous mountains above 3,000 m and 4,000 m, which makes the area ideal for hiking and mountain biking in Iran during spring, early summer, and summer. It is perfect for skiing in the winter. The 3,000m mountains are just right for easy and moderate hikes and are close to the village. For strenuous and challenging trekkers, the renowned mountains above 4,000 m. are perfect. There is a 15 Km mountain ridge above Shemshak village, stretching from Kolon Bastak (4,170m) in the west to Sarakchal (4,210m) in the east. Between the two peaks, there are even more mountains over 4,000m (Sarakchal 2 & Sarakchal 3), making this ridgeline very challenging. In the south, there is Mt Abak (3,520m) which is above Shemshak Ski Piste. If the weather is clear, you can view a number of Iran’s high mountains such as Kholeno (4,387m), Azadkuh (4,350m), Borj (4,326m), and the roof of Iran, Mt Damavand (5,610m). On the Adventure Iran website, we have a variety of hiking, mountain biking, and ski tours in this region, with different difficulty levels suitable for all travelers. We will briefly introduce some of these tours so that you can get a general idea. Shemshak Wall
Shemshak Village Alborz Ski Region Shemshak village is one of the highest villages in Iran, situated in the heart of the Central Alborz Mountain, at 2,700 m altitude. It is only 65 km from the center of Tehran, about a 1 ½ hour drive to reach through a mountainous road. There is also a ski
Dasht-e Havij in Iran Dasht-e-Havij or Gor Chal plain, at an altitude of 2,700 m, is situated 400 meters above Afjeh village in Iran. It is one of the most famous attractions in the Lavasanat district (northeast of Tehran in the central Alborz Mountains). Havij means Carrot and Dasht-e Havij means literally a ‘big carrot field’. There are various legends about this name’s origin, which probably indicate that large parts of this vast land were sown with carrot seeds. Today, there is no sign of anything left to reinforce it. Gor Chal in ancient Persian means fireplace, being the combination of two words; Gor means fire and Chal means place. It is said that it got its name for it being so hot compared to the surrounding places being so cold, but there is no evidence to support this assertion. Dasht-e Havij is surrounded by a cluster of high-altitude peaks between 3,000 – 4,000 m which protects this area from the wind. During the Safavid dynasty (400 years ago), it was an important hunting area with some beautiful cascades called Passchoobak, Saboosetan, and Charand. A couple is still in existence, depending very much on the snowfall of that year. In addition, there are numerous maple trees and, of course, a variety of fruit trees in this unspoiled region. The remains of Safavid Caravansaries can be seen along the path at the end of the valley, near the rock wall. There is also an old bath dating back to the Safavid era which is, surprisingly, still in use and is presently enjoyed by rural people. The Qajar dynasty (200 years ago) used this path to reach the Lar National Park going through the countryside. From Lar, there was an ancient mule road stretching towards the Caspian Sea. 3 Peaks in
Dasht-e Havij in Iran Dasht-e-Havij or Gor Chal plain, at an altitude of 2,700 m, is situated 400 meters above Afjeh village in Iran. It is one of the most famous attractions in the Lavasanat district (northeast of Tehran in the central Alborz Mountains). Havij means Carrot and Dasht-e Havij means literally a ‘big carrot
Azad Kuh Mountain Azad Kuh Mountain, with a giant rocky summit, is one of the highest peaks in Iran and is located in the high central Alborz mountains. Azad means ‘free’ and Kuh means ‘mountain’. The free mountain might be the local name, due to it being cone-shaped, so dissimilar from the other surrounding mountains. If you assume a line from Tehran city to the north, in the direction of “Noshahr city”, Azad Kuh is located somewhere in the middle. The three faces of the summit, north, east, and west, are surrounded by steep rocky walls that are more than 500 meters tall. In the summer, there is no need to use any technical equipment for climbing. The mountain is located in the Alborz Markazi protected area where there are different types of flora and fauna, various species of birds, and a broad range of wildlife. MT. Azad Kuh Ascend is one of the treks we prepare to reach the peak, suiting the most experienced hikers during summertime. Why Climbers Love Azad Kuh Technical Terrain: Features steep ice walls (like the North Face), crevassed glaciers, and rocky ridges—best for experienced mountaineers. Myth & History: Local legends say its name comes from a defiant prisoner who escaped captivity by climbing it. Epic Views: On clear days, spot Damavand, Tochal, and the Caspian Sea from the summit. Practical Guide Best Season: Late June to September (avoid early spring). Base Camp: Start from Varangeh Roud Village in Chalus Road (3~4-day round trip). Ski Potential: Untouched powder slopes in winter. https://www.adventureiran.com/10-best-off-the-beaten-path-hiking-trails-in-iran/
Azad Kuh Mountain Azad Kuh Mountain, with a giant rocky summit, is one of the highest peaks in Iran and is located in the high central Alborz mountains. Azad means ‘free’ and Kuh means ‘mountain’. The free mountain might be the local name, due to it being cone-shaped, so dissimilar from the other surrounding mountains.
Alfons Gabriel and Iran Alfons Gabriel (1894 – 1976) was an Austrian geographer and travel writer who made several trips to Iran’s deserts. Gabriel wrote five books about his trips and findings in Iran. His book, Durch Persians Wüsten (1935, meaning Through Persia’s Deserts), has been translated into Persian. On his second trip to Iran in 1933, he crossed Dasht-e Kavir (the Central Desert) where he discovered the flagstone road dating back to the time of Shah Abbas, the Safavid King. He made his third trip to Iran in 1937 crossing the southern part of Dasht-e Lut. Not many pictures of Gabriel survived but it is said that one of them, taken with his wife in front of their tent, is of Aroosan village in the Central Desert. Gabriel has written many beautiful things about this village in his books. Alfons Gabriel's journeys—spanning the 1920s–1930s—produced groundbreaking maps, ethnographic studies, and photographic records of remote regions few Westerners had ever seen. Key Expeditions & Discoveries Crossing the Lut Desert (1933) Gabriel was among the first Europeans to document the Dasht-e Lut’s hyper-arid core, confirming its status as one of Earth’s hottest places. His temperature readings (published in The Lut: Scientific Results of a Desert Expedition) remain cited in climate studies. Mapping Baluchistan’s “Forbidden Zones” Venturing into Sistan and Baluchestan, he recorded nomadic tribes like the Baluch and Brahui, their customs, and hidden oases—later detailed in his book Through Persia’s Deserts. Medical Ethnography As a doctor, Gabriel studied local diseases and traditional healing practices, even noting the use of camel urine as a disinfectant by desert tribes. Controversies & Legacy Colonial Tensions: His work, funded by European institutions, sometimes clashed with Reza Shah’s modernization efforts. Forgotten Archives: Thousands of his photos (held in Vienna’s museums) reveal lost Iran—from Qajar-era bazaars to vanishing
Alfons Gabriel and Iran Alfons Gabriel (1894 – 1976) was an Austrian geographer and travel writer who made several trips to Iran’s deserts. Gabriel wrote five books about his trips and findings in Iran. His book, Durch Persians Wüsten (1935, meaning Through Persia’s Deserts), has been translated into Persian. On his second trip to Iran
