Five dirhams (Moroccan currency) is worth less than a euro or a dollar. In my country, Colombia, it is equivalent to a coin of 200 pesos that can’t even buy a lollipop.
Rabat – But in the Medinas of Morocco you can have a lot for five Moroccan dirhams. You can also have breakfast, lunch, dinner and finish with dessert with only 20 dirhams (2 euros).
Moroccan street food has a special place in the hearts of all backpackers not only because of its inexpensive price but because every bite is tasty and amazing. The trip this week is through all those fresh flavors that are made daily, the same ones that don’t wait long time in the windows because who doesn’t have a coin of five dirhams in their pocket?
Sfenz [donuts]
Classic fried donuts dipped in white sugar that are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. They are eaten hot, and freshly made at breakfast time for just 1 dirham.
Khobz [Bread]
Bread replaces cutlery on the table. For Moroccan gastronomy it is very important because it helps the right hand grab the vegetables and meat that come in tagines. These brown, gold and red wheels can be purchased for 1.2 dirham each.
Sandwiches
On street carts there are tuna, egg, potato and vegetable sandwiches made to order and with add-ons for 5 dirhams. In the north [Asilah, Tangier and Tetouan], there are shops that sell a different kind of sandwiche called Bocadillo. Prices may vary [5 to 10 dirhams] between one place and another.
Harsha
This is a flat bread made from semolina that taste like corn with crusty outside and soft inside. These circles are roasted in large plates and a quarter of one can be bought for 5 dirhams.
Orange Juice
One of the main products of Moroccan agriculture is oranges which is why in any city in the entire country you can wake up with a large glass only for 3 dirhams.
Nuts
Large sacks filled with pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, apricots, plums and an endless number of dry fruits can be purchased by weight. They are packed into convenient paper cones just to take away and enjoy.
Msemen
This a square crepe made of flat portions of dough that are fried in a pan producing a layered bread that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. There is no Moroccan that hasn’t eaten Msemen at breakfast. For only 5 dirhams you can have 3 of these.
Chebakia
This is the most popular Moroccan cookie in the shape of a flower with fried, coated with honey, with a sweet and crunchy taste. During Ramadan there are big bowls full of chebakia because eating them provides a lot of energy for the body. The cost is only 5 dirhams for 5 pieces of chebakia.
Snails Soup
Snails are sold on the street on top of carts carrying giant pots. There is a pleasant smell that makes you want to order a warm bowl of them for only 5 dirhams.
Moroccan lunchbox
The lunch box of a Moroccan child costs 4 Dirhams. After school all come together to ask in the windows of the small shops for a yogurt and a “kika” (a packaged cupcake).
Rziza
Long threads made of semolina are sold wrapped like a turban.
Brewates
Small triangles filled with chicken, shrimp, turkey, or liver that are fried and sold very quickly because they cost only 1 dirham and taste amazing.
Panini
Falafel panini with tomato, lettuce and olives in corn tortillas that are heated in furnaces that leave them crunchy at every bite for just 5 dirhams.
Baghrir
These are the Moroccan version of hot cakes full of tiny holes that are eaten for breakfast after being dipped in a honey-butter mixture. Get them for one dírham a piece.
Cookies
Morocco is full of small biscuit factories working all day on those little pleasures made mostly of almonds and that melt in the mouth. Depending on the seller, they can give you ten cookies for 5 dirhams, but never ask for “one” because you will get one kilo.
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