Sulaymaniyah street food vendor finds warm welcome in Zafaraniyah

BAGHDAD — Bakhtiyar Hassan, a street food vendor from Sulaymaniyah, has extended what was meant to be a short visit to Baghdad into a 40-day stay, bringing with him the flavors of Saholaka, a popular street food in the Kurdish city.

“Some friends from Baghdad visited us in Sulaymaniyah and suggested I bring our food here,” Bakhtiyar told 964media. “I liked the idea and started looking for a good location. I found Zafaraniyah area to be the best option.”

Known in Sulaymaniyah for his cart serving grilled liver, kebab, and Kurdish-style meat dishes, Bakhtiyar has recreated the same setup in Baghdad. He now operates a stall offering Kurdish street food alongside morning breakfast dishes and cooked meals.

Bakhtiyar, who lives near the stall with a team from both Sulaymaniyah and Baghdad, said locals have embraced him. “I never felt like a stranger in Baghdad. People here treat me like one of their own,” he said. “When my family asks how I’m doing after 40 days, I tell them: If you came here yourselves, you’d also decide to stay longer.”

The vendor works past midnight. He’s also considering expanding. “This is our first branch in Baghdad. If people in other areas support us, we’re thinking of opening more.”

Thanking Baghdad’s residents, Bakhtiyar added, “They’re generous people. Even government offices are respectful and quick to help when needed. The atmosphere here is very safe.”