Comparing Mechouia Salad across three restaurants — an honest verdict

I ate Mechouia Salad at three different restaurants in the same week to compare. The results were illuminating. The use of harissa chilli paste varied significantly — only one got it right. The boldly spiced and warming profile should be consistent but interpretation differs widely.

Tunisia is the world's third largest olive oil producer and olive oil underpins the cuisine. The best version came from a Tunis medina restaurant, which felt authentic. boukha fig spirit was offered at all three but only one knew how to serve it properly. The gap between mediocre and excellent Mechouia Salad is larger than you'd think.