Joanna James
A city renowned for its mix of old-world wonders and futuristic developments, Doha is also home to a mouthwatering blend of flavours that's just as exquisite. Top off your Doha cultural experience by tasting your way through an assortment of local dishes that'll leave you lost in culinary paradise.
A traditional Arab and Turkish dish that generally comes to life in the holy month of Ramadan, Thareed is often identified by westerners and other tourists outside the Middle East as pot stew. Now, don't let that throw you off from savouring a mouthful of Thareed, as plain old pot stew can't even make it closer to the deliciousness of Thareed. It is a combination of a multitude of cooked vegetables such as carrots, beans, onions and potatoes mixed with pieces of bread and chicken or lamb, earning it the moniker "Arab lasagna", a nickname the dish very well deserves.
Anyone who's had a taste of the world-famous Indian biryani is bound to recognize its resemblance to Majboos right away, which has many tourists, especially of South Asian descent, calling it the Arab biryani. Kasbas, machboos or commonly known as Majboos is regarded as a national dish not just in Qatar but in the entire Arabian peninsula. Shiny pieces of fried chicken sitting on a bed of long-grain golden-yellow rice, with a sprinkling of cashews, accompanied by a salad and tomato sauce—a dish of Majboos is also a treat for the eyes as it is for your taste buds.
Sometimes a porridge, sometimes a gruel, Harees is a boiled, cracked, or coarsely-ground wheat dish mixed with the meat of your choice, such as lamb, chicken or beef. The traditional Middle Eastern dish is also nutritious as it is delicious, treating you to the best of both worlds. The creamy white dish is popular among locals as a meal that breaks the fast during the festive Ramadan season. Tourists craving a mouthful of flavoursome Harees don't have to keep themselves waiting for Ramadan, as it is a popular dish served at all the best restaurants in Doha, including the likes offered by Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks.
Vermicelli and omelette? No wonder Balaleet is not a common sight outside Arab states of the Persian Gulf. But it would be a pity to pass up a steaming dish of Balaleet merely judging by its strange combination of ingredients. Give it a try in the name of exciting discoveries and the mouthwatering mix of sweet and savoury is sure to leave you drooling for more.
Sugar-craving foodies, satisfy your much-awaited need for sweets with a Luqaimat or two. Relished both as a dessert and a grab-and-go street snack, Luqaimat is a local favourite that you can find pretty much around every corner of the city.
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.
