Joanna James
Today, the sleek and beautifully cosmopolitan city of Dubai has cemented its position as the gastronomic capital of the Middle East and is renowned the world over among die-hard foodies for offering a plethora of delicious Emirati dishes served side by side with food from the many cultures and nationalities that call the city home! Here are the top five among them!
Likened to the pancakes of the west, Chebab is a type of yeast Emirati pancake – except these tend to be more aromatic and flavourful thanks to the generous pinches of saffron and fragrant cardamom that are added to the dough while being kneaded. Chebabs are routinely enjoyed by the locals for breakfast and are usually served alongside helpings of decadent date syrup and cheese.
Another popular staple breakfast dish in the Middle East including Dubai, Skakshuka is thought to be of Tunisian origin. Over the recent decades, the dish has also been embraced with relish by the West! In its very essence, Shakshuka refers to a tomato-based dish with poached eggs to which chillies, garlic, shallots, and bell peppers are added after being sauteed in olive oil. Basil is used to garnish the finished dish to add a fragrant twist and visual allure.
No food tour in Dubai is complete without taking the time to indulge in Machboos. Also referred to as Kabsa - Machboos is considered to be the national dish of the Arabian Peninsula by popular consensus. A hearty and filling meal, Macboos refers to meat and yellow basmati rice dish. Typically, a meat of choice usually lamb is marinated for several hours in a heady mixture of spices, and cooked in oil alongside onions, turmeric powder, coriander, and dried lime. After which it is added to the basmati rice and slow-cooked at very low heat. Foodies will be able to find this delicious dish at many restaurants especially those in close proximity to hotel suites in Dubai such as the Oaks Liwa Heights.
The Dubai culinary scene is filled with many mouthwatering seafood dishes thanks to the city’s location in the Persian Gulf region – a favourite being Samak Mashwi. The dish consists of fish (typically seabream) grilled and prepared in the traditional Emirati way. This includes marinating the complete fish in a mixture of aromatic spices and herbs such as data paste, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and chilli. After which is grilled with its scale intact to keep it moist even in high heat!
Decadent, delicious, and a definite must-try sweet treat to round off a hearty meal in Dubai, Kunafa is enjoyed with delight in Dubai and other Arab countries such as Lebanon, Greece, and Turkey. This beloved dessert consists of a pastry soaked in sugar-based syrup which is then layered with plenty of cheese. Depending on the region and family recipes, the pastry is elevated in flavour with ingredients such as lemon juice, cinnamon, rose water, raisins, almonds, pistachios, and rose water!
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.
