Emirati cuisine is a blend of Persian, Arabic, Indian, and Mediterranean influences. The ancestors were Bedouins, people who traveled across the desert. Traditional Emirati dishes provide a glimpse of the country’s past. Indulging in the best Emirati dishes is one of the top things to do in Dubai. Let us take a gastronomic tour around the UAE and taste the Emirati delicacies that are a must-try for every food lover.
1) Chabab
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Chabab is a thin and crisp pancake. The main ingredients of Chabab are egg, flour, melted butter, turmeric, cardamom and yeast. This dish is topped with a date syrup. It is served with Chami (a salted cheese made from buttermilk ) and garnished with sesame seeds.
2) Shawarma
While Shawarma is typically associated with the Middle East, the Emirati version has a distinct taste of the region. Thinly sliced marinated meat, usually chicken or lamb, is placed on a vertical rotisserie and roasted to perfection. The meat is then shaved and served on a flatbread with an array of toppings, including garlic sauce, pickles, and tahini. Shawarma vendors can be found on practically every street corner in Dubai, providing residents and visitors with a quick and delicious snack.
3) Khobz Al Khameer
Khobz Al Khameer is a circular, fluffy flatbread with two distinct layers. It is served as a breakfast dish. Dates are used instead of sugar to sweeten this bread. Khameer bread is flavoured with fennel, cardamom, and saffron. Traditionally, Arabs baked this bread in coal ovens.
4) Shakshuka
Shakshuka, also known as Beidh Wa Tomat, is a simple meal that consists of scrambled eggs topped with a delightful chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce & sprinkled with thyme and coriander. Shakshuka can also be made using poached eggs.
5) Camel Meat Delicacies
Camel meat recipes are a must-try for travellers to the UAE. Camel meat delicacies are prepared at weddings and special occasions. Dishes such as Camel Biryani and Camel Kebabs provide a unique experience.
6) Harees
Harees is a staple dish in the Middle Eastern region. It has been added in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Harees is made with chicken, lamb, wheat, ghee, and spices. It is prepared during Ramadan, weddings and family gatherings.
7) Thareed
Thareed is a popular iftar dish. The lamb is cooked with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and spices like as coriander, cumin, and cinnamon. Potatoes, carrots and zucchini are also included in the stew. Thareed tastes best when accompanied by Raqaq bread.
8) Jareesh
Wheat is predominantly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Crushed wheat is cooked until it reaches a porridge-like consistency and is then mixed with either meat or chicken. Jareesh gets its particular taste from its fragrant spices, making it a comfort dish that appeals to both residents and visitors.
9) Khuzi
Khuzi or Ghuzi, the national dish of the United Arab Emirates is a meal made from roasted lamb or mutton. It is served on kebab skewers along with vegetables, rice, and hazelnuts. It is a complete meal in itself.
10) Shuwaa
Shuwaa is a meal prepared by slow roasting the whole lamb with vegetables, spices, nuts, and raisins wrapped in date leaves cooked in a closed or submerged oven and served on rice.
11) Regag
Regag is an Emirati staple that is served as an accompaniment to many dishes. This flatbread is thin, light, and crisply fried. The bread is made from waterless dough. It goes nicely with stews and curries and tastes delicious with honey or cheese.
12) Al Machboos
Al Machboos is a main course dish made with prawns, chicken or red meat. Your choice of meat is layered with veggies, rice, dried lime powder (loomi), and traditional spices. The slow cooking process allows the meat to absorb the flavors. Machboos is the Emirati equivalent of Indian biryani.
13) Samak Mashweet
Samak Mashweet is a spicy Arabian grilled fish marinated in date paste and Arabic spices, baked on a huge tray, and served with lemon slices and parsley. It is a popular fish, especially during Ramadan.
14) Esh Asaraya
Esh asaraya, translated as “bread of the harem,” is a delightful dessert that combines the richness of cream and the sweetness of sugar syrup. A layer of soft, sweet bread is topped with a luscious mixture of cream and cheese, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavours.
15) Luqaimat
Luqaimat, also called Lugaimat, Lokma, or Awameh, is a favourite Emirati sweet dish. These golden, bite-sized dumplings are deep-fried to perfection, then drizzled with date syrup or honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It is a deep-fried dough ball that is crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside. It is coated in sweet date syrup known as Dibbs and served with sweet dipping sauces.
16) Balaleet
Balaleet is a sweet-salty dish made using vermicelli noodles and eggs spiced with cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, rose water, orange blossoms, and pistachios. Though it is a breakfast dish, some restaurants serve it as a dessert.
17) Kunafa:
Kunafa is a delicious Middle Eastern dessert made of a thin shredded pastry soaked in sweet syrup. Layers of crisp, golden-brown crust wrap a cheese, nut, or semolina filling. Kunafa, frequently garnished with pistachios or almonds, is a delicious blend of textures and flavors that provides a sweet and satisfying end to meals.
18) Madrooba
An Emirati delicacy called Madrooba demonstrates the nation’s love of fish. A thick sauce, spices, and salted fish are the ingredients of Madrooba. It is a well-liked Ramadan iftar dish.
19) Dango
Traditional Emirati desserts called “dango” are dumplings made from ground rice flour. After steaming or boiling, these dumplings are skewered on sticks. Dango, often consumed on festive occasions, is available in various flavours and can be topped with sesame seeds or coconut flakes. Both residents and tourists like Dango for its sweet taste and chewy texture.
20) Aseeda
Aseeda is a dish made of wheat flour and water, and served with honey or butter. The wheat is boiled and then stirred to create a ball of dough. Aseeda is enjoyed with a savory meat broth or as a dessert with date syrup or honey.
21) Al Batheetha
Al Batheetha is a classic Emirati dessert made with natural ingredients. It is a healthy dessert with a dense and chewy texture made with dates, wheat, ghee, and a dash of cardamom. This sweet delight celebrates the rich flavours of dates and the cultural legacy associated with this nutritious fruit, reflecting the Emirati dependence on locally available products.
Conclusion
Emirati food is a celebration of flavors. On your vacation to the UAE, indulge in the mouthwatering cuisine that has captivated the hearts of locals as well as tourists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1) Which restaurants serve authentic Emirati cuisine?
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Logma, Aseelah middle Eastern & Emirati Restaurant, Al Bait Al Qadeem Restaurant, Al Jawareh Restaurant, Bin Eid Traditional Restaurant are the places to try authentic Emirati cuisine in Dubai.
2) Which spices are included in Emirati cuisine?
Turmeric, saffron, cardamom, and thyme are the primary spices used in Emirati cuisine.
3) What is the UAE’s national dish?
Khuzi is the UAE’s national dish. It is a lamb dish served over spicy rice. Nuts, raisins, and veggies are sprinkled on top.
4) In the UAE, what beverage is most favoured?
Try the Arabic coffee, Laban (yoghurt-based beverage), Sulaimani (mint and lemon tea), Karak Chai (Indian tea), and Jallab (fruit syrup consisting of date palm, carob, and rose water).