Part 2: What I ate and where I ate it (Kaftaji, Bread & Jwajem)

_{Edited by LiveCollage}

Hello Steemians,

As promised in my introduction to Kairouan, this is the second part of my series a journey through the tastes of the city. If Kairouan is known for its history and mosques, it also has a strong food culture that locals and travelers alike can’t resist. For this post, I’ll share three meals that defined my stay: Kaftaji, Traditional Bread, and Jwajem.

1. Kaftaji with merguez and kefta

In the middle of Kairouan’s lively streets, I stopped at a small stall run by Khamyes, an old man in his 60s who has been making Kaftaji for decades. His hands moved fast and sure frying potatoes, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, then chopping everything finely into a colorful mix. He topped it with a fried egg, added merguez and kefta, and slipped the filling into fresh bread to make a sandwich.

With the first bite, I tasted Tunisia itself spicy, smoky, and satisfying. To wash it down, I had a cold Boga, the local soda, which paired perfectly with the warm sandwich.

Khamyes preparing my Kaftaji quick, simple, and full of flavor.	The final result: Kaftaji with merguez & kefta, enjoyed with a cold Boga.

where I ate it :

Location	Kafteji Khmayes
Google maps	https://maps.app.goo.gl/bTcdW9iBd4EnAivSA
Atlas pin code	[//]:# (!steematlas 35.67846664 lat 10.10234177 long Kafteji Khamyes d3scr)

Here is price list:

Item	Price (DT)	Price (STEEM)
Sandwich Kafteji	3,5	4
1 Kefta	1	1.14
1 Merguez	0.7	0.80

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2. Traditional Bread at Omrania

No visit to Kairouan is complete without a stop at the old boulangerie Omrania. From outside, you see the wood oven glowing with heat; inside, the bakers are busy shaping circular loaves brushed with olive oil. The smell alone is enough to make you stop.

The bread here is more than food it’s part of daily life. Warm, soft inside, and slightly crispy outside, it reminded me of how simple ingredients (flour, water, yeast, olive oil) can create comfort that feels timeless.

The traditional oven at Omrania.	The bread in the oven.	Freshly baked bread,ready for the customers.

where I ate it :

Location	Boulangerie Omrania
Google maps	https://maps.app.goo.gl/nYS35B7WhoZw6uzJ9
Atlas pin code	[//]:# (!steematlas 35.67435116 lat 10.09888686 long Boulangerie Omrania d3scr)

Here is price list:

Item	Price (DT)	Price (STEEM)
Normal bread	1	1.14
Bread with olive oil	2	2.28

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3. Jwajem at Uncle Salah’s shop

Finally, to end the day, I treated myself at Uncle Salah’s place famous for his big metal mugs of Jwajem. This drink is more than a refreshment; it’s a small piece of Tunisian heritage.

Jwajem combines fresh fruit juices (banana, apple, sometimes strawberry or orange) with crunchy dried fruits and nuts sprinkled on top the “jwajem” or “jewels.” Each sip is a mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy, a celebration of textures.

Uncle Salah served it in his iconic large metal mug, keeping it cold until the last drop. Sitting there, enjoying my Jwajem, I understood why this drink has been loved for generations.

The main ingredient banana.	The famous metal mug of Jwajem from Uncle Salah’s shop.