The Best and Most Delicious Saudi Foods You Shouldn’t Miss

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A trip to any country is incomplete if one does not turn it into a culinary voyage too. When visiting Saudi, it is absolutely crucial that you explore all of the dishes on offer.

To help you chart your way through Saudi’s flavours, we have curated a list of some of the best and most delectable dishes that are part of the Saudi cuisine.

In curating this list, we have kept all kinds of tastes in mind. Saudi offers a plethora of choices to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Indulge in the good things that life has to offer with food definitely at the top of the list.

10 Most Famous & Scrumptious Food in Saudi

From meaty delights like Mandi and Kabsa, to sweet treats such as Luqaimat, Saudi has something for every kind of foodie.

Though today’s list has 10 of the best Saudi dishes, please note that this is not an exhaustive listicle. There are numerous lip-smacking preparations that Saudi has up its sleeves to enthral the food lover in you. Consider today’s post as a taster of sorts, an appetizer to get you excited about visiting Saudi soon.

Here are the 10 tastiest Saudi foods:

1. Kabsa, the king of Saudi dishes

When curating the best food in Saudi, one MUST start the list with the national dish.

Kabsa, the national food of Saudi, is a meal in itself, one that is heartily devoured. Kabsa is a rice meal prepared in chicken or fish broth, and much like Biryani, to cook Kabsa long-grain rice is preferred.

Though this dish is mostly cooked with chicken and fish, many people also like to give it a fun twist by cooking it with camel meat or even seafood. The thing about Kabsa is that no matter what you cook it with, it turns out delicious. When in Saudi, be sure to try this national food.

2. Mandi, a savoury hit among tourists

A traditional dish, Mandi is a fiery meal that will leave you licking your fingers.

Made with rice and chicken to which a big share of spices are added, Mandi is cooked over tandoor, and will surely make its way into your heart through your belly.

3. Labban, quench that thirst in style

The spicy and piquant Saudi cuisine needs to be paired with the right drink. That is where Labban comes in.

Labban is very similar to buttermilk. It has a sweet and tangy taste which is very similar to that of yogurt. While it can be enjoyed as a fresh beverage, it is also used as a cooking ingredient for many dishes, particularly those including lamb, cucumber, barley and cous cous.

Take a swig of Labban after a hot day of dune bashing or while in a desert camp during your next visit to Saudi. It’ll cool you down.

4. Mutabbak, a fiery pancake

Imagine you are having a pancake, but it is salty, peppery, and absolutely delicious. Mutabbak is a stuffed pancake, if we may call it that.

This puff-kind of dish is packed with minced meat, veggies, and spring onions. It is served piping hot and relished by travellers during different times of the day. When in Saudi, make sure you do not miss out on trying it!

5. Jareesh, a festive dish that will touch your heart

Jareesh is another Saudi famous food, made from crushed wheat, rice and meat. It has a porridge-like consistency and can be eaten as a dish by itself or with bread.

Jareesh is mighty in nutrition, which makes it a healthy, wholesome meal. Each of the Arab countries have their own recipe for Hareesh and in Saudi, you may find it embellished with cardamom or parsley. This delicacy is mostly served during special occasions or religious festivals, but you can also find it in select restaurants that serve traditional Saudi cuisine.

6. Marqooq, a traditional delight for a modern eater

Bread takes on a higher purpose when it is Marqooq. This traditional Middle Eastern bread is cooked on a convex metal griddle called saj. It looks like a pita bread except that this has a diameter of about 2 feet. Perfect for big appetites, especially after a day of exploring Saudi.

Maqooq can be eaten plain but if you are a fan of wraps and rolls, it can be filled with meat or vegetables and enjoyed as a meal in itself. Maqooq is considered by many as one of most famous food in Saudi.

7. Shakshouka, a royal breakfast

During your holiday in Saudi, start every day with a mighty breakfast. Shakshouka is definitely one that tops the list of breakfast dishes in Saudi.

The strong flavour of tomato with poached eggs comes together to start a carnival of flavours in your mouth. The spices, particularly the zesty cayenne pepper, makes this dish unforgettable. In some restaurants and eateries, chefs also add a drop of vinegar to further heighten the smack.

8. Tharid, the Prophet’s favourite food

A dish that works for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians depending on the broth it is cooked in, Tharid had to make it to this list of Saudi famous food.

There is a popular belief that Tharid was Prophet Mohamed’s favourite dish. You can well imagine why this dish is treated as holy in Saudi. This could also be the reason why Tharid is eaten mostly during Ramadan as an evening meal.

Given its spiritual significance, when in Saudi, it would be a very good idea for you to try the traditional Tharid with your family.

9. Luqaimat, a trip through sweet city

A blog on Saudi cuisine is incomplete if it does not mention the saccharine delight, Luqaimat. Crunchy yet sweet, we can bet that you will be ending most of your meals with this maple or honey syrup drenched dumpling.

If you are someone who likes celebrating cheat days every single day during your vacations, Luqaimat is the dessert to go for.

10. Sambusa, your teatime companion

Non vegetarian delights are often considered the best food in Saudi. Though Saudi cuisine is a meaty affair, the vegetarian dishes are out of this world too. Sambusa is a perfect example of this.

A crunchy, tea-time snack, Sambusa is almost like a Samosa. It is stuffed with vegetables and spicy goodness that goes really with both mint and chilli chutney. Try it as a taster before guzzling down an Arabian dinner platter.

Are you drooling right now? Don’t tell us it is just us! Saudi cuisine has that effect on connoisseurs of good food. Ticking all kinds of flavours, the food of in Saudi is sure to add to your holiday.

When you turn your holiday into a culinary trip, you are in for maximum fun. Exploring Saudi gastronomically while also visiting its deserts, gorges, ruins, and museums, will transform your holiday into an experience of a lifetime. We would love to know which of the above dishes you would want to try immediately after landing in Saudi. Let us know in the comments.

We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday in Saudi.