Bread is the foundation of nearly every meal across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Each region has its own traditions, different shapes, different grains, different ways of baking, but they all share one thing in common: bread is meant to be fresh, torn by hand, and shared.
At Pangea Halal Market's bakery in Minneapolis, we bake over a dozen types of bread fresh every morning, honoring recipes handed down for generations. Here's a guide to the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean breads you'll find on our shelves, and how to enjoy each one.
Middle East
Pita Bread
The most recognizable Middle Eastern bread, soft, pillowy pockets with a hollow interior that opens for stuffing. Baked fresh daily at Pangea, perfectly golden with a tender crumb. Use it for falafel, shawarma, dips, or simply warm with olive oil and za'atar.
Palestine · Israel
Jerusalem Bagel
Oval sesame-encrusted rings with a dense, chewy crumb, a beloved street bread from the Old City of Jerusalem. Unlike American bagels, Jerusalem bagels are not boiled; they're baked long and soft, meant to be torn and dipped in za'atar and olive oil.
Turkey · Central Asia
Turkish Bread
Golden, enriched bread dusted with black seed (nigella), a staple of the Turkish breakfast table. Rich and pillowy with a glistening crust. Tear it alongside white cheese, olives, honey, and tea for a traditional Turkish kahvaltı.
Iraq
Iraqi Flatbread (Samoon)
The iconic Iraqi diamond-shaped bread, crusty on the outside, airy within. Samoon is the everyday bread of Iraq, used for sandwiches and morning meals. Its unique shape makes a perfect pocket for eggs, cheese, or grilled meats.
Middle East · Levant
Lavash / Thin Flatbread
Paper-thin lavash and traditional flatbreads, baked on the stone. Crisp at the edges, soft at the center, the foundation of countless cultural meals. Use it as a wrap, a scoop, or tear it for sharing plates.
Mediterranean
Sesame Rolls
Plump, golden rolls generously coated in toasted sesame seeds. Dense and satisfying, perfect alongside olives, cheese, and tea. A staple of the Mediterranean breakfast and mezze table.
Gulf · Arabia
Date Bread
A festive pull-apart wreath studded with sweet dates. Soft, enriched, and fragrant, made for Ramadan, Eid, and every celebration in between. The natural sweetness of dates makes this bread a celebration in itself.
Visit the Bakery
All of these breads and more are baked fresh daily at Pangea Halal Market in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Come early for the fullest selection, when the racks empty, they're done for the day.
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