ChatGPT about lahmajo
While flatbreads with toppings existed in various forms in the Middle East for millennia, the specific dish known as lahmajo (lahmacun)—a thin, soft flatbread topped with finely ground meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices—was introduced in its modern form to many Arab countries by Armenians, particularly those who fled the Armenian Genocide or repatriated from places like Aleppo, Antep, and Diyarbakır.
Here’s why this Armenian origin is acknowledged:
Post-Genocide Armenian Diaspora:
In the early 20th century, large Armenian communities resettled in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and elsewhere.
These communities preserved and shared their cuisine, including lahmajo, which was deeply rooted in Western Armenian regions like Cilicia and Western Armenia.
Culinary Identity:
In places like Aleppo, Beirut, and Baghdad, lahmajo was first associated with Armenian bakeries and homes.
In fact, in many Arab cities, it is still colloquially called “Armenian pizza” or just “Armenian lahmajo.”
Arab Culinary Adoption:
Over time, Arab communities embraced the dish and began producing it with local variations.
However, many Arabs still credit Armenians for introducing the style and technique, especially the ultra-thin dough and the specific meat-spice mix.
Clarification:
The concept of meat and bread coexisting is ancient (e.g., sfiha, manakish).
But lahmajo as we know it today—thin, rolled or folded, often eaten cold, and made in large batches—is a cultural and culinary export of Armenians from historic Western Armenia.