Dubai surely knows the way to your stomach! The city’s culinary scene covers cuisines from almost all parts of the world. But that’s not what we’d be discussing today. In our opinion, the region’s own recipes were quite under presented on its food map until the last few years. Recently people have developed a new found interest in the flavourful & hearty Emirati Dishes. These traditional recipes are now being replicated in many parts of the world.
However, we believe there could be no better place to try these than the home country itself. In this piece we’ve dished out some of the loved local treats from the country. Let’s dive in!
1 – Shawarma
There could be no better way to start the list than from Shawarma. It’s undoubtedly UAE’s most popular street food. The Middle Eastern wrap is quite known for the unique way it’s prepared. Thinly sliced pieces of meat are mounted on a vertical rotating stick & then roasted. Once cooked these are shaved off & wrapped in pita bread with sauce & vegetables. It’s available at almost all popular food joints. Laffah, Shawarma Juha, Shawarma Vibes & Usta Shawarma are some of the top-rated options in the city. You can even use the Talabat Discount Code while ordering from here!
2 – Luqaimat
Next up we have one of the famous Emirati Sweet treats, Luqaimat! A soft dough is kneaded by mixing milk, butter, flour, sugar, spices. After this small bite-sized balls are made from it. The name was derived from an Arabic word Luqmah meaning small bites. These tiny balls are then deep-fried. This gives them a crisp on the outside & soft texture inside. After this, these are covered in date molasses. These are specially enjoyed during celebrations & religious festivals. However, you’ll also find these at many places on a routine basis like Arabic Tea House & Local Bites Café.
3 – Madrouba
Madrouba, a spicy & savory porridge is one of the traditional recipes from UAE & nearby regions like Qatar & Oman. It gets the name from Darb which means ” beat or hit” in Arabic. The dish consists of a blend of spices, chicken & rice. All of these are simmered in water or stock at low heat until cooked. In the last stage of the recipe, the mixture is beaten with a wooden spoon until a creamy consistency & texture is achieved. In the present day, many variations of the dish are found. For instance, the rice might be swapped with other grains or a different meat might be used.
4 – Knafeh
Knafeh doesn’t need an introduction. It’s one of the most loved deserts from the region. Even though it’s now available all over the world, nothing comes close to the authentic taste you’ll get in Dubai. It is made using a shredded pastry dough, Kadayif. The shredded pastry is layered with a gooey mixture of sweet cheese & then baked it turns a crisp brown. The crunch from the pastry & soft melted cheese creates a delicious contrast of textures. Once baked, it’s covered in sweet fragrant syrup, attar & garnished with toppings like pistachio & nuts. Logma at Dubai Mall & Qwaider Al Nabulsi are two among the many other famous spots for enjoying the dessert.
5 – Majboos
The list would practically be incomplete if we leave out the national dish. Consider Majboos the Arabic version of the famous Briyanis & Pulaos. Similar to these, the rice is cooked along with different types of meat in a tomato broth. The broth is seasoned with a mixture of aromatic spices. These primarily include warm whole spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and others. It undoubtedly tastes wonderful, however, that is not the only reason behind its popularity. The dish is a symbol of the region’s heritage. It’s often served during celebrations & special events, evoking a feeling of community & hospitality. Al Fanar Restaurant is among the best places in the city for trying it.
