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Last year, in February, I had the chance to make an interesting discovery, to taste something unique that was completely new to me; it was the first time I drove down to Tarik el Jdideh, and I'm happy I did so... I was getting to know Safsouf, the Knefeh and Maamoul’s madd king.
A year later, after three visits to Safsouf, and a Knefeh I’ve talked about again and again, advertising this unique sweet with such enthusiasm and passion, I had the opportunity to try their oriental sweets... Safsouf is not only a Knefeh place, Safsouf is a sweet paradise.
On the occasion of Horeca, I took the show’s chefs and jury on a tour around Beirut's delicious hidden gems. We started by visiting Al Soussi followed by a stop at Safsouf for the Knefe. The team was impressed by the taste of the Knefe, the flavors of their sweets and the generosity of the owners who insisted on offering everything for free. Not only that, but I went back home with two fully loaded trays of Maamoul Madd and Baklava. Tonight was oriental sweet night.
Let me refresh your memory about Safsouf first. Safsouf has one of the best Knefe in Lebanon -in my humble opinion- as well as a selection of Oriental sweets and is best known for its Maamoul mad bi Kashta. Down on Tarik el Jdideh, a hundred meters after the Arab Unicersity is a shop taking over the left side of the road selling Knefe with a street food ambiance. More than 3,000 portions are sold every day! That's unbelievable!
The mouthwatering choices:
- Madd Mchakkal 15,000L.L
- Mchakkal 14,000L.L
- Madd bel Achta w festo2 7alabe 16,000L.L
- Madd Achta 14,000L.L
- Madd Joz 14,000L.L
- Mad Tamer 14,000L.L
- Mad Festok halabe 16,000L.L
- Sfouf 12,000L.L
- Nammoura festok halabe 14,000L.L
- Maamoul Chamiyat 16,000L.L
- Chamiyat festok 18,000L.L
- Baklava mchakkal 22,000L.L
- Baklava Festo2 Extra 28,000L.L
- Hadef 22,000L.L
- Cha3biyat 14,000L.L
- Maamoul Festok 16,000L.L
- Maamoul Joz 14,000L.L
- Maamoul Tamer 12,000L.L
- Kenafe kilo 15,000L.L
- Mchabbak 12,000L.L
- Maakroun 12,000L.L
- Awamat 12,000L.L
The chefs were over the rainbow. Knefeh for them was a tasty discovery they'll be talking about again and again. I could hear their moans and enjoyment. I wanted to try the real taste of Knefeh without the bread; a thick layer of melted cheese, two kinds of it, Halloumi and Czech white cheese, covered with a layer of semolina then sprinkled with sugar syrup. A unique and clear taste of cheese and sugar with a light crunch of semolina. Excellent, excellent indeed.
Back home after a long day at Horeca, I opened the two packages and started a meticulous tasting.
Sfouf, Baklava, Maamoul Madd, Nammoura... Everything is exquisite.
I happily enjoyed some moist and fluffy Sfouf cooked the proper way. Juicy and adequately sweet nammoura with a lightly crunchy envelope. The Maamoul mad with pistachio is moist, tender and juicy, adequately sweet and full of taste. Amazing Maamoul mad bi Jozz (walnuts): I loved the flavor and the sandy freshness of the semolina. Maamoul madd bi Ashta is the signature creation each one of you should try at least once in your life. Lebanese oriental sweets, Kol w Chkor or Baklava were so fresh and not too sweet. A tender, flaky dough melting under the teeth was utmost perfection. Exquisite!
What else can be said? Everything was tasty, everything was fresh, everything was mouthwatering. The passion and love behind those creations is clearly felt.
Every time I visit, a question comes to mind; how come this small place is always full of customers? It’s simple: The food is excellent. Not only that but the generosity is like nothing I’ve seen before in Beirut. Twenty chefs were invited to taste the Knefeh that day, a couple of kilos given away... I was touched by this professional approach.
Safsouf is the address, a stopover while going or coming from the airport. I personally come all the way from Metn to Beirut whenever I'm craving a sweet bite.
Check Safsouf Sweets page on Facebook +961 1 704504
