Samak Maqli
Pan-Fried Fish (unbreaded, with keto sides)
Yes, with a tweak: explicitly request no flour, cornstarch, or breading on the fish. About 4g net carbs per serving, lower than 8 in 10 Iraqi dishes.
What it is
Fresh white fish fillets, seasoned with Iraqi spices and pan-fried to a golden crisp. Modified by ensuring no breading or flour coating, focusing on the natural flavors of the fish. Served with a side of lemon wedges and a keto side if available (e.g., grilled vegetables).
Key ingredients
Whole white fish (e.g., carp, tilapia) or fillets, olive oil/vegetable oil for frying, lemon, salt, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, dried parsley.
How to make it keto
Explicitly request no flour, cornstarch, or breading on the fish. Confirm it's cooked in oil only. Ask for keto-friendly sides instead of rice or bread.
Say this to the waiter (Arabic)
سمك مقلي، لو سمحت بدون طحين، نشا ذرة، أو بقسماط. فقط مقلي بالزيت. وممكن أطلب خضار كيتو بدلاً من الرز أو الخبز؟
For Samak Maqli, please, no flour, cornstarch, or breading. Cooked in oil only. Can I have keto-friendly sides instead of rice or bread?
Watch out for
Fish is almost always lightly floured (dusted) or breaded before frying in restaurants. Always served with rice or bread. Type of oil used might be inflammatory vegetable oil.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Iraqi menuAll 262 Iraqi dishes ›
