Joanna James
The food culture of Saudi Arabia is incredible. In addition to the sheer range of cuisines available in the city due to the presence of various cultures, Arabic food is a force to be reckoned with.
If you're in Saudi Arabia, one of the essential things to do is eat Machboos. Available anywhere from roadside eateries to restaurants near luxury apartments in Riyadh including the likes of Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh, this dish is a cultural icon. Machboos consists of rice that is elaborately seasoned with a variety of spices served with chicken that has been cooked utilising a traditional apparatus known as a tandoor, where the meat is marinated and barbequed within a deep hole in the ground. It is considered a national dish in Saudi Arabia.
Definitely one of the finest snacks the Arab world has to offer. This dish consists of triangular pieces of flat-bread known as pita bread, that have been split open, filled with halloumi cheese and lightly toasted. Delicious as well as healthy, this Kellaj is a cheesy snack almost too good to be true.
These are fritters of sorts that are made with minced chickpeas or fava beans coupled with a few spices and then deep fried. Falafel can be consumed on their own, or inside shawarma; which is also commonly referred to as a falafel. It is an indulgent delicacy that can even be enjoyed by vegetarians.
You're bound to find this in almost every restaurant in Saudi. Shish Tawook is a kebab of sorts that involve boneless chicken that has been marinated with a mildly spicy concoction and grilled to perfection. The grilled meats are generally accompanied by pita bread and two sauces, most commonly a garlic-mayo and tomato ketchup.
Although the name simply translates into 'meat with dough', this is a marvellous dish. In fact, Lahm Bi Ajeen is pretty much the Arabic equivalent to a pizza. The dish consists of a round baked bread that is topped with minced lamb mix seasoned with a variety of spices and stir-fried with onions. Anyone with a taste for baked meaty dishes is bound to adore this, especially if you prefer them with a bit of spice.
This list won't be complete without the inclusion of a sweet dish. Similar to Lahm Bi Ajeen, the Knafeh also resembles an abstract pizza. This is, in essence, a pastry that is crispy on the outside and filled with gooey sweet cheese. The fact that it is cheesy and round make it very pizza-like in appearance and form. Be sure to sample this incredible delight if you're in Saudi.
Everyone knows about Hummus, but few are aware of the next best thing, which is Baba Ghanoush. Essentially this is identical to Hummus except for one key difference, the chickpeas are replaced with grilled eggplant. This small change gives the paste a very distinct flavour, in addition to a few more nutritional qualities. This dish is very popular in the middle east so if you're a fan of hummus, you're definitely going to love this.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
