In this post I will introduce to you some Arabic sweets and desserts, specifically of Syrian origin. All of these were purchased from a gem of a spot on Edgware Road, but most of them can be found in other Arabic dessert spots/ bakeries in your city!
Diwan Damas Deli is a small homey traditional Arabic dessert spot on Edgware Road that specialises in Syrian sweets and desserts. We have visited this cute little spot more than once and have always found what was on show appealing. Everything is made fresh on a daily basis, so whatever you get is fresh and made on that day. We always want to try something different to the usual kunafa and baklava. So, we opted for the following and we discovered some really good items including a game changing gemmm!
We hadn’t even heard of some of these before, but had to give them a try because they looked so inviting. Most of these sweets are sweet ashta filled treats that are super popular in Lebanon and more so during Ramadan. Ashta is like the Lebanese alternative to clotted cream (less fatty I thought).
Znoud el Sit:
The one on the left of picture 1 is Znoud el sit. It is a cream (ashta) filled phyllo dough fried until golden and crispy and dipped in orange blossom and rose water scented sugar syrup (I know, you are either screaming wow in awe or disgust right now). By the way, the name funnily translates to “the lady’s upper arms” – because of the way it is shaped. I assumed I would like this the best because it sounds and looks like jalebi filled with cream (lol), but actually I didn’t. It was okay, strangely not too sweet. The flavours weren’t coming through strong in this. It was slightly bland.
Maamoul mad b ashta
The one on the top right of picture 1 is Maamoul mad b ashta. It is a thick cream filling encased in a semolina cake, topped with pistachios and drizzled with an orange blossom syrup. The first thing we thought after seeing this is a kunafa cake! Unfortunately, it wasn’t as good as that sounds. The semolina part was a tad dry and difficult to break into. Again, it was okay – not too sweet. I think I prefer the standard kunafa.
So far, I’m thinking… should’ve just stuck to the classic kunafa and baklava. Until…
Warbat
The one in the middle of picture 1 is Warbat (or Warbat Bil-Ashta). Layers of phyllo dough are brushed with a mixture of shortening and butter or ghee, then filled with homemade Ashta and baked to a golden perfection. In some countries, they are called Shaabiyat. This one was an absolute game changer. This sounds the least unhealthy (not saying much I know), yet it was the one that we loved the most. Both my wife, me and my sweet tooth. The flaky and crunchy exterior was perfect to bite into and then the cream was delicious – again not too sweet, but the perfect amount. You have to have to try the Warbat!! It’s so good it challenges baklava and kunafa for me! It is the game changing gem! Ever since having it here we always seek this out whenever in an Arabic dessert spot/ bakery.
Qatayef
This is basically stuffed and fried pancakes that are drizzled with syrup. You get to choose between almonds and cream as the filling. This is extremely popular amongst Arabs in Ramadan, probably more so than Kunafa and Baklava. Very popular. It was pretty good. For Bengalis – it tasted quite similar to a ghoor handesh.
Halawet el Jibn
This is a sweet cheese roll. It is semolina and cheese dough with a cream filling. Think of it as a Syrian Swiss roll? And the cream has this fragrant/floral taste to it (rose water?) – sooooo goood!
Kunafa Nabulsi (cold)
Usually this is my favourite type of kunafa, but for me it needs to be served warm. This was cold. Wouldn’t get this again from here.
Muhalabiya
This is a very traditional dessert. Everyone from Syria or neighbouring country will tell you stories about their grandmothers making this one at home and how this is what they grew up on! It is basically a milk and orange blossom pudding – like France’s blancmange or Italy’s panna cotta. In its simplest form i.e. without toppings like nuts and fruit, it is such an amazing dessert. Not everyone add orange blossom, so you need to try the one that does. That orange blossom flavour is such a game changer. We had our first one in Abu Zaad (when they had the Edgware Road branch) and it was an absolute game changer. One of our favourite desserts ever. Light enough to enjoy after a heavy meal and interesting enough to make it memorable (thanks to the orange blossom). It is so interesting because you get a flavour party in your mouth. Initially, it’s just like plain panna cotta – nice texture but no strong distinctive flavour – but then after a few seconds you get that smack of orange blossom and WOW. So simple but feels and tastes oh so complex. The one we tried here at Diwan Damas Deli didn’t taste as good and we didn’t really like the additional toppings (yes, it makes it look pretty, but we feel there is no need for that). But if you’ve never tried it, you should definitely check this out.
Syrian Rice Pudding
This is like the Turkish rice pudding in that it is served cold and it is nice and creamy. This makes this a refreshing yet indulgent treat. The twist with the Syrian version is that there is a hint of rose water… and let me tell you… WOW… I’m not looking at rice pudding the same way ever again.
Syrian Style Ice Cream
Heard a lot about this, so even though it was a cold evening in November, we had to get this. It was so different to traditional ice cream. It felt thicker, it was stretchier, it didn’t feel cold cold, it didn’t have the feel of dairy nor the creaminess, it wasn’t melting like normal ice cream would. A very unique thing that is hard to describe – you just have to experience it for yourself! Pistachios are included in the end product as toppings and there is that fragrant/floral rose water taste again that you get – love it! This ice cream though, includes two very very unique ingredients: mastic gum and sahlab.
Mastic gum looks like light yellow crystals that have been used since the 5th Century BC for its medicinal benefits. I’m not sure it has been scientifically proven yet, but there have been claims that it helps with stomach and dental problems. It is an aromatic substance that comes from a chia tree that grows in the Greek island of Chios. Holland and Barrett sell it and it’s usually consumed like chewing gum is. Some say the raw form smells like detergent! And it is commonly used pharmaceuticals, perfumes, cosmetics, drinks, baking goods, sweets. This is the ingredient that gives this ice cream that stretchy elastic texture.
Sahlab is ground flour made from the orchid genus Orchis. This might be the ingredient that gives this the strong floral taste. Cornstarch is commonly used as an alternative as it is an illegal ingredient to export out of Turkey to certain countries! Nonetheless, ice cream that is elastic, fragrant, floral and doesn’t melt (easily) – tell me you’re not interested!!
So, if you’ve had enough of baklava and Kunafa, or you want to try something different, or you just don’t like baklava or Kunafa, we strongly recommending trying out some of the other offerings you’ll find at arabic dessert spots/ bakeries. Our personal recommendations (from this particular spot anyway) are the following:
Warbat
Syrian Rice Pudding
Syrian Style Ice Cream
Muhalabiya
Halawet el Jibn
Qatayef
Getting there
Parking: Norfolk Cresent – park and display and yellow single line lanes are free on Sundays / evenings. You can also drive around to look for other spots; there are some roads that are evenings and Sundays free (a little further out). But most are residents only.
Nearest Mosque: London Central Mosque (5 min drive)
Nearest station: Edgware Road
