Much of Saudi Arabia is still unknown to foreigners. In fact, up until 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hadn’t even allowed tourists in besides for religious reasons! Before then, all we really knew about the country is that it is one of the largest oil producers in the world and home to stunning, exotic things like Arabian coffee, palaces, mosques, camels, and endless expanses of desert sand.
However, now that tourism is picking up, we start seeing glimpses into the daily life of a Saudi Arabian. We see that they’re normal people just like you and me who love to shop, play games, watch TV and movies, and eat delicious foods.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of five Saudi Arabian dishes you would no doubt love. We hope you can try making this at home or experiencing the real deal if you ever fly to Saudi Arabia!
1. Kabsa
Among all the dishes in Saudi Arabia, this is the national one! Wouldn’t you agree? It’s an extremely filling and flavorful dish that’s well-balanced and hits the spot. What better way to finish the day or break your fast than with a jam-packed dish like the kabsa?
Kabsa is made up of aromatic rice and roasted chicken. To make this beloved dish, you start by sauteing and roasting the chicken in a large pot with onion, garlic, tomato puree, and a ton of other vegetables and herbs. Then, once the chicken is tender and falls off the bone, you add rice to that luxurious broth it’s left behind and let it cook.
Kabsa is meant to be a communal dish, which is why it’s typically served on a communal platter. Add a bit of hot sauce (i.e., shattah) on the side to bring everything together.
2. Harees
Harees is a dish that is 100% local! It originated from Saudi Arabia and has since spread to most, if not all, areas of the Middle East. It is a staple during the holy month of Ramadan and is also served at festivals like Eid ul-Fitr and celebrations like weddings. The dish is meant to be shared with a lot of people, especially if you are wealthy—it used to be customary to provide hares for your poorer neighbors.
One of the oldest dishes in Saudi Arabia, harees primarily consists of coarse wheat that has been soaked overnight. Once it’s softened, it is boiled in water with chunks of meat and oil or butter. Depending on the region you’re in, it’s spiced with cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, sugar, onions, garlic, and more.
3. Tharid
Did you know this dish is widely regarded as Prophet Muhammad’s favorite dish? He claimed that tharid was superior to all other dishes in Saudi Arabia!
Tharid is a spicy lamb stew that’s been cooked with a lot of colorful vegetables, the most common of which are eye-healthy carrots, onions, and potatoes. However, many people like to make their own variations or just use whatever vegetables are in season. This hearty stew is then laid atop some crispy barley flatbread. To eat it, you simply have to break the bread into pieces and scoop up some of that tasty stew!
4. Dajaj Mashwi
You didn’t think the United States was the only country that could pull off a good barbecue, did you? Saudi Arabia can give your barbecued dishes a run for their money with dajaj mashwi!
Dajaj mashwi is typically made of chicken breast although many restaurants have started using a variety of other cuts. It is marinated overnight in a blend of herbs and spices made up of paprika, garlic, ginger, cracked black pepper, salt, lime juice, and oil. Then, it’s grilled on the barbecue until it’s nice and moist!
Dajaj mashwi usually comes with a savory garlic sauce and fresh salad on the side. This helps to cut into the spiciness of the chicken like to Jamaican jerk chicken. However, you can also have it with rice, couscous, or soup if you’d prefer.
5. Ma’Amoul
Ma’amoul is a tasty butter cookie that’s been sweetened with a filling made of dates, figs, and nuts. They crumble delicately in the mouth and are quite a healthy treat as you don’t require any added sugar. Indeed, many people celebrate the end of their month-long intermittent fasting of Ramadan with a plateful of these scrumptious cookies. They are also made on special holidays like Easter and Purim.
As you can see in the picture, ma’amoul cookies are gorgeous. People love decorating them with all sorts of swirls and patterns. You can form them into their iconic shapes either by hand or with a cookie mold.
