If you’ve travelled through northern Tunisia, you’ll know that some of the best meals are the simplest. In the coastal city of Bizerte, street food is hearty, bold, and packed with flavour - and few dishes capture this better than the humble Lablabi sandwich.
Traditionally, lablabi is a warming chickpea soup enjoyed across Tunisia, especially in winter. But in Bizerte, you’ll also find it transformed into a rustic, handheld sandwich - perfect for busy markets, seaside strolls, and quick lunches between sightseeing.
At Encounters Travel, we love sharing local flavours from the destinations we explore. So here’s your chance to bring a taste of Tunisia into your own kitchen.
The Bizerte Lablabi Sandwich
This is a simple, rustic sandwich that relies on bold store-cupboard staples and big North African flavours.
🛒 Ingredients
-
1 crusty baguette
-
1 tin of chickpeas (warmed in their liquid with a pinch of cumin and salt)
-
1 tbsp harissa (adjust to your heat preference)
-
1 tsp cumin
-
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
-
1 can of tuna
-
1 hard-boiled egg
-
A few olives
-
1 cheese triangle
👩🍳 Method
-
Slice open your baguette and hollow out some of the soft bread inside.
-
Spread a generous layer of harissa along the inside.
-
Add the cheese triangle and spread it evenly.
-
Spoon in the warm chickpeas (drain most of the liquid first).
-
Sprinkle with extra cumin and drizzle with olive oil.
-
Layer tuna, sliced egg, and olives on top.
-
Press gently together and enjoy while still warm.
A Taste of Tunisia
What makes this sandwich so special is its balance - creamy chickpeas, spicy harissa, salty tuna and olives, and rich egg all packed into crisp bread. It’s filling, affordable, and full of character - just like Tunisia itself.
Food is one of the most memorable parts of travel. Whether you're wandering ancient medinas, exploring Roman ruins, or relaxing along the Mediterranean coast, Tunisian cuisine is always close by - bold, comforting, and proudly local.
If this recipe has sparked your curiosity, imagine tasting it fresh from a local café in Bizerte, surrounded by the sights and sounds of everyday Tunisian life.
Discover more about our immersive small-group journeys on our Tunisia tours page.
From cultural highlights to authentic local experiences (and plenty of incredible food), Tunisia is waiting to be explored.
Would you try this at home? Let us know how it turns out!
