Joanna James
Dubai is so much more than sightseeing and glam life, for its cuisine is a world in itself. Below are a few of the favourites that appeal to both local and international tastebuds alike.
Pizza for breakfast? Manousheh will not disappoint. This flatbread, which is made using stretched dough, is topped with fresh Mediterranean flavours including earthy Zaatar herbs, olive oil and Akkawi cheese. Light and comforting on the stomach, the Manousheh also happens to be a popular street food dish and can easily be found in many of the smaller restaurants around Dubai. For those who like the pizza sweet, you also have a sweet variant, which is topped with eggs, creamy sour labneh and sweet jam, and minced lamb.
Arguably one of the most popular dishes in Dubai, this whole wheat flat bread can win the heart of even the least likely foodie in just a single bite. What makes it even more delicious is that it is actually as healthy as it is tasty and health freaks visiting Dubai can never leave without loading up on the Iranian Sangak. Best served with either basil or Bulgarian Feta, you can have the Sangak plain or folded to a rectangle shape.
A Middle Eastern holiday is incomplete without the Kebab and the best part is you find these delicious treats pretty much everywhere. Juicy with its characteristic melt-in-your-mouth tendencies, the meat in Dubai is easily one-of-a-kind. The Chelo Kebab is so much more than the kebab, for the kebab one is sizzling in butter, and it is served with fine saffron-scented basmati rice. Popular among most downtown Dubai restaurants, which are easily accessible from Oaks Liwa Heights, this is one of the options that tourists can consider if they plan on staying at one of the hotel suites in Dubai.
The best of the carbs and protein, the Al Harees truly is the best of many worlds. A combination of meat, wheat and a dash of salt, a must-try dish is created when allowed to rest a couple of hours. Commonly served during the month of Ramadan, if you find yourself in Dubai during the fasting season, you will have plenty of Al Harees to try out.
Yet another combination of meat, rice and spices, Al Machboos is a dish that one can find outside the Arabian Peninsula as well. But almost no one does Machboos like the Emiratis do. If you are fond of rice, biriyani, and the likes, the Machboos is certainly a must-try.
Then there is Mandi. Dubai is incomplete without trying the local Mandi. From sahawiq to the long grain basmati rice whose aroma will remain in your nostrils long after you have savoured the meal, Mandi is a treat of smoky rice and chicken that will be quite etched in your fondest Dubai memories.
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.
