manakish cheese: The Middle Eastern Flatbread You Must Try

What is Manakish Cheese?

If you’re a fan of warm cheesy bread that’s fresh out of the oven, then you need to try Manakish Cheese. Hugely popular throughout Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan, manakish is a classic Middle Eastern flatbread that’s been around for centuries. It looks like pizza, but with an identity all its own and roots deep in culture.

The term “manakish” (spelled alternatively as manaqish and manaeesh) is derived from the Arabic term naqasha, meaning “to engrave” or “to carve out.” This is indicative of the process of pressing the dough using fingertips prior to topping with ingredients.

Manakish Cheese, a topped version featuring a tasty layer of melted white cheese, is one of the most popular forms of manakish. Whether used for breakfast, lunch or as a light supper, it’s a favorite in homes and bakeries across the Arab world — and its popularity is spreading around the globe, including within our own Al Farah Restaurant.

The Origin and Cultural Significance of Manakish

The roots of manakish go back centuries in the Levant area (the Eastern Mediterranean). In the past, it was a method of utilizing the remaining dough from the day-to-day baking of bread. Women made the dough at dawn, added ingredients such as za’atar, cheese, or ground meat on top, and baked them in shared ovens.

Manakish rapidly developed from a household morning meal to an emblem of culture and sociability — it is distributed amongst neighbors, offered to visitors, and, nowadays, commercially sold in bakeries and restaurants across the globe. It symbolizes not only a meal but something that holds one back in contact with community and tradition.

In the past few years, manakish has gained a new following among food enthusiasts in Europe, the UK, North America, and the Gulf. The combination of crispy dough and creamy, savory toppings is just right for someone looking for something comforting yet flavorful.

Ingredients in Manakish Cheese

Although the elegance of manakish is in its simplicity, every ingredient plays a crucial role in building its signature flavor and texture.

1. The Dough:

The crust is a soft flatbread based on a mixture of:

All-purpose flour
Warm water
Yeast
Salt
Sugar
Olive oil

The dough is kneaded to smoothness and then allowed to rise for several hours. It’s then split, rolled into circles, and pressed in the center to make a hole for the topping.

2. The Cheese:

The cheese takes center stage in this variation of manakish. A variety of cheeses can be utilized, either separately or together:

Akkawi Cheese – A white, salty cheese from the Levant region, mild in taste.

Mozzarella – Enjoyed for its creaminess and stretchy taste.

Halloumi– A dense cheese that provides a distinctive bite.

Nabulsi Cheese – Just like Akkawi, but slightly firmer and saltier.

We mix a special combination of mozzarella and Akkawi at Al Farah Restaurant to achieve the perfect melt and flavor combination in our Manakish Cheese.

3. Optional Toppings:

Although the cheese takes center stage, some recipes might involve a sprinkling of:

Black sesame seeds
Nigella seeds (kalonji)
Mint leaves
Olive oil drizzle

They add flavor, depth, and a touch of visual satisfaction.

How Manakish Cheese is Made

We freshly prepare our manakish cheese daily at Al Farah Restaurant. Here’s how it’s prepared step by step:

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

Our chefs start by mixing the finest flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and warm water. Once the dough is perfectly kneaded, it’s left to rest and rise.

Step 2: Shaping and Pressing

When the dough has risen, it’s broken into small balls and flattened into discs. Our bakers use their fingers to press the center down to form a shallow indentation — this holds the cheese in place as it bakes.

Step 3: Adding the Cheese

An abundant layer of our special blend of cheese goes across the dough evenly. We make sure every manakish has just the right cheese-to-dough ratio so every bite is rewarding.

Step 4: Baking

The manakish is subsequently put into a stone oven and cooked at high temperature for a few minutes until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Step 5: Serving

After being taken out of the oven, it’s cut and served hot — crunchy from the outside, soft from the inside, and oozing with gooey cheese.

Why People Love Manakish Cheese

There’s a reason manakish cheese is a favorite:

Comforting – It’s cheesy, soft, and warm — the epitome of comfort food.
Customizable – Add herbs, veggies, or cheese to your taste.
Affordable & Filling – A great choice for a quick, satisfying meal.
Cultural Experience– It connects you to the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East.

No matter if you’re trying it for the first time or were raised eating it, manakish cheese always comes out on top.

Where to Try the Best Manakish Cheese

If you’re in the mood for hot, freshly made manakish cheese, then Al Farah Restaurant is the place to go. We transport you on a culinary adventure across the Middle East with each bite, using recipes passed down through generations along with high-quality ingredients.

Our manakish is baked to a perfect golden brown, topped with a rich blend of cheeses, and served hot, just as you would get in the middle of Amman or Beirut.

Whether you’re dining in, having takeaway, or booking a family event, we take care to create each manakish with love and flavor.