10 Best Saudi Dishes and Where to Eat Them!

Saudi Arabia has a rich culinary history and diverse dishes to discover. From spicy rice dishes to savory meat wraps, there is something for every foodie to enjoy. This article will explore the ten best Saudi dishes and where you can find them.

Whether you’re a resident of Saudi Arabia or just visiting, these dishes are a must-try for anyone looking to experience the flavors of the country. So join us as we take a culinary journey through the best that Saudi Arabia has to offer. Get the best deals and offers on water flynas when planning to visit Saudi.

Jlamah

Jalamah is a traditional dish from the Saudi Arabian region of ‘Asir. It is made with lamb. Pieces of young lamb are cooked with fat, onions, and a mix of Arabic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and black pepper.

Usually, rice or flatbread is served on the side to soak up the tasty gravy. This dish is usually made for special occasions, such as the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Kabsakabsa

Kabsa is a rice dish made with meat and vegetables. It is thought to be the national dish of Saudi Arabia. Most Saudi dishes, like Kabsa, have a lot of dried fruits and nuts in them. We recommend that you grab a spoon and dive deep into the sounds of this tasty rice dish.

Ruz Al Bukhari

Ruz Al Bukhari is a fragrant rice dish that is also called Al-Fahm. It is often served with roast chicken. Spices like cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and star anise are used in the dish, and it is often topped with raisins and fried onions. A spicy tomato sauce is served on the side (also known as Salata hara). In some versions of the dish, almonds and pine nuts are also added.

Shawarmas

Shawarma is a popular Arabic meat dish, and it’s also one of the most well-known street foods in the world. To make Shawarma, thin slices of chicken, lamb, or mutton are cut, marinated, and put on skewers in a cone. The meat is then roasted on a spit or rotisserie.

This tasty dish was made in Turkey in the 18th century. It was first made in Greece, where they called it “gyros,” which means “turn” in Greek. It got the name “Shawarma” when it became popular all over the Middle East.

Ma’amoul

Ma’amoul is an old cookie that is full of dates, walnuts, and pistachios, among other fruits and nuts. Cookies like these are usually made for Easter, holidays and parties. They are usually shaped like balls or domes. To tell them apart, the walnut ma’amoul is usually shaped like a dome with a round top, the date ma’amoul is usually shaped like a dome with a flat top, and the pistachio ma’amoul is shaped like an oval.

Cookies from the Middle East are often served with coffee or tea during the day, and powdered sugar is sometimes sprinkled on top to make them even sweeter.

ShakshukaShakshuka

Since the beginning of time, eggs have been a staple food in Saudi Arabia. This makes sense since eggs are easy to find, cheap and tasty. Plus, they are also very good for your health.

Because of this, many breakfast foods in this country are made with eggs. Shakshuka is one of the most well-known. This Saudi Arabian breakfast is an egg poached in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, olive oil, paprika, and cumin.

Madfoon

It uses many different cooking methods that can be different from one place to another. Meat, rice, and spices are cooked underground. The hours of cooking underneath give the rice and meat a mild flavor and a smooth texture. In many Saudi homes, madfood is a comfort food. This is because the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.

FalafelFalafel

The word “falafel” is used to characterize a wrapped sandwich, which is why these deep-fried balls are usually served in a pita or a flatbread.

Even though its history is not clear, this tasty dish is easy to find on many streets in Saudi Arabia. Falafel is a great alternative to meat-based foods because it is made in the form of a ball of beans or chickpeas.

MutabbaqMutabbaq

Mutabbaq is a popular snack in Saudi Arabia. It is made of a thin layer of bread filled with ground meat, eggs, leeks, and scallions. The word “mutabbaq” means “folded” in English. This dish is usually shallow-fried, but you can also find it baked in some places. The outside is crispy, and the inside is full of filling.

The thin dough for Mutabbaq is rolled out into a large rectangle. The minced meat and egg filling are then spread on top. The rectangle is folded into a smaller rectangle, cut into squares, and served with lemon wedges and whole chilies.

Dajaj Mashwi

Dajaj Mashwi

Ayyapannagamani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dajaj mashwi is the best Saudi Arabian barbecue specialty made with thinly pounded, marinated and grilled boneless chicken breasts. Spice powders and dried herbs like paprika or red chili powder, ginger, garlic, onion, black pepper, salt, oil and lime juice are often used to marinate the meat.

The chicken is usually served with a garlic dipping sauce and a mixed salad on the side. It can also be served with couscous, Arabian pilaf and soups.

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