Moroccan · Soups
Chorba Fassia (Fassi Vermicelli & Meat Soup)
Fes has its own take on the Ramadan soup tradition, distinct from harira: chorba fassia leans on thin vermicelli and small pieces of lamb in a lighter, more delicately spiced tomato broth, without the chickpeas and lentils that thicken harira. It is a refined, brothier cousin, common at the Fassi iftar table.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 60 min
- Total
- 80 min
- Serves
- 6
- Level
- Medium
Ingredients
- 300 g lamb, cut into small pieces
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, grated, and 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 100 g fine vermicelli
- 1 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp olive oil and a knob of butter
- Small bunch coriander and parsley, chopped
- About 1.5 litres water, salt and pepper
Method
- 1
Brown the lamb
Warm the oil and butter in a pot, brown the lamb lightly with the onion, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.
- 2
Build the broth
Stir in the tomato paste and grated tomato, cook a few minutes, then add the water and half the herbs. Simmer 40–45 minutes until the lamb is tender.
- 3
Add the vermicelli
Break the vermicelli into shorter lengths and stir into the simmering broth, cooking 6–8 minutes until tender.
- 4
Adjust
Season to taste, adding a little more water if the soup has thickened too much.
- 5
Serve
Ladle into bowls, scatter with the remaining herbs, and serve hot with dates or bread.
Chef's tips
- Break the vermicelli before adding it so each spoonful is easy to eat rather than tangled strands.
- This soup is lighter than harira — resist the urge to add lentils or chickpeas if you want the authentic Fassi version.
- Simmer the lamb until truly tender before adding the pasta; vermicelli only needs a few minutes at the end.
Frequently asked questions
How is chorba fassia different from harira?
Harira is thickened with lentils, chickpeas and a flour-and-egg liaison. Chorba fassia stays a lighter, clearer tomato broth built around lamb and vermicelli, without the pulses.
Can chicken replace lamb?
Yes, diced chicken thigh works well and cooks a little faster, so reduce the initial simmer to about 25–30 minutes before adding the vermicelli.