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Our Top Recommended Dishes to Try When Visiting Saudi
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Kabsa
Kabsa
Kabsa sits high on the list of must-try dishes when visiting; you’ll find it on just about all eatery menus. Consisting of spiced rice and meat (or fish) on a large platter, the dish owes its savoriness to the fact that the water used to cook the meat serves double duty to also cook the rice, ultimately imparting its trademark richness. To truly experience kabsa authentically, drop the spoon and eat only with your right hand.
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Saleeg
Saleeg
A staple of Hijaz, Saleeg is a time-tested winter favorite, a prime example of individual ingredients adding up a sum more flavorful than its parts and a dish meant for savoring. Meat (often chicken) is boiled in a bath of spices (black pepper, cardamom and cinnamon), before rice is added to the flavorful broth. The end result is not unlike risotto — incredibly creamy rice accompanied by mouthwatering chicken and dollops of butter or ghee.
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Jareesh/Harees
Jareesh/Harees
Jareesh (Harees in some spellings) holds a special place in many Saudi hearts. It has a distinctive space on the Saudi table, as the national dish of Saudi Arabia and one of the most famous dishes of Ramadan. Comprised of cracked wheat, yogurt and meat (with some regions adding crushed tomatoes), the order of operations is simple if you’d like to give it a try at home: Cracked wheat and yogurt are stirred in a pot on the stove before adding the meat for hours of simmering. Finally, it’s finished with ghee or butter and a dried lemon on top.
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Shakshuka
Shakshuka
Start your day with this hearty (and wholeheartedly loved) breakfast dish. Shakshuka consists of poached eggs cooked in a tomato and onion sauce, as well as a medley of spices like cayenne, chili and cumin. The name “shakshuka” is derived from the Arabic word “shakka” which means to stick together; the name itself is a ringing endorsement for how the ingredients complement each other!
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Mutabak
Mutabak
This is the Saudi Arabian take on pancakes — except they’re filled with flavorful ingredients. Savory options might see flapjacks stuffed with egg, cheese, curry and a variety of herbs, while sweet-aficionados will rejoice at the chance to try pancakes filled with crushed peanuts, chocolate sprinkles or sugar.
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Ma’amoul
Ma’amoul
The go-to celebration treat, ma’amoul are shortbread butter cookies stuffed with various fillings — pistachios, walnuts, almonds, dates and sometimes even date pudding — as well as a healthy helping of cinnamon and cardamom. It pairs perfectly with a cup of qahwa!
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Qahwa/Gahwa
Qahwa/Gahwa
Trade in the concept of the traditional American latte for this perfect pick-me-up to start your day. Qahwa (also often spelled as Gahwa) is Arabica bean coffee, ground and mixed with a medley of spices (think saffron, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom). Besides serving as your morning caffeine fix, Qahwa is also the de facto symbol of hospitality — expect it to be served in any instance where visitors are being greeted. In Saudi, where there is coffee, there are dates. Ajwa and sukkari dates are the two most common types, cultivated in the Quassim region. Ajwa dates are small and almost black, with smooth skin and an intense, treacle-like flavor. Sukkari dates are very sweet, juicy and yielding.
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Camel Milk
Camel Milk Chocolate
Camel milk has been an integral part of the Bedouin lifestyle for millennia, providing a good source of fat, protein and vitamins on top of a surprisingly smoky and nutty flavor. This is reflected in camel milk chocolate, a treat with a velvety texture that sits somewhere between a traditional milk chocolate and a dark chocolate.
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Mint Lemonade
Mint Lemonade
A refreshing staple across the Middle East, Saudi restaurants embrace homemade mint lemonade with a variety of twists from the cool frozen mint lemonade to modern twists like sparkling or infused with strawberry, ginger or honey. Not as sweet as American lemonade, this popular drink includes a base of freshly squeezed lemon, mint, sugar and water.
Salivating at the idea of trying these delicacies yourself?
They’re only a phone call away — trust our travel agents to not only help you make your Saudi trip a reality, but also make it a breeze. Our agents are equipped with exclusive perks, offers and amenities from all the leading names in travel, as well as an encyclopedia-like lexicon of hidden-gem recommendations spanning the globe. Add to this the fact that you literally have a professional on call for any and all logistical hiccups or snafus, and the benefits are hard to ignore.
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