Pacha
traditional dishes
About
Pacha is a very rich and heavy meal consisting of sheep's head, trotters (feet), and stuffed tripe, slow-cooked until the tissues melt and the broth becomes a rich liquid.
Key Ingredients
Sheep's head, trotters (feet), tripe stuffed with rice and minced meat, Loomi Basra, onions, and cardamom.
Cultural Significance
A true test for fans of popular food, linked to vitality and strength. Going out to eat it at dawn is a traditional male ritual, but it has now become a family meal par excellence.
Where to Find
Restaurants are found in old popular neighborhoods of Baghdad (Sadriya, Fadhal, and Kadhimiya). They open at dawn and close once sold out.
Recommended Places
- •Specialized Pacha restaurants
- •Old Baghdad (Kadhimiya, Shorja)
- •Early morning market stalls
Fun Facts
The sheep's tongue, eyes, and cheeks are the most preferred parts for Pacha enthusiasts. Stuffed tripe is called 'Kibayat'. Mosul has its own unique method of stuffing.
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