Here are 5 Lip-Smacking Local Dishes You Can’t Miss in Saudi Arabia

When you visit a new place; be it a city, state, or country. There is so much to explore and learn. While exploring the sights and scenes, you are bound to get hungry. Thanks to globalisation, you are sure to find a McDonalds or a Domino’s pizza outlets anywhere in the world. If you are lucky, maybe an Indian restaurant too.

Today, we are visiting Saudi Arabia. The nation which is the birthplace of Islam is a great place to visit. Filled with rich attractions to explore and warm people and some lip-smacking dishes. Here are some the traditional dishes you should taste when in Saudi Arabia.

1.    Kabsa

If you mention this name to any Saudi, it will feature on the top three of their most loved dishes. Kabsa is the most popular dish in the country. The dish is usually made with long-grain rice (basmati), meat, vegetables, and a variety of spices. There are many types of Kabsa, each with a unique taste. The Saudis usually have this dish for lunch and some households have this mouth-watering preparation every day.

2.    Margoog

It’s one of those recipes where the taste changes from household to household because each family adds their own spin to it. Margoog is basically a stew made up of vegetables and lamb along with doughs. The doughs are made of brown flour. While you will find the use of many vegetables in Margoog, pumpkin happens to be preferred by many.

3.    Jareesh

One of the popular dishes among the Saudis, Jareesh is made using groats (a type of grain) and is cooked with milk. The texture of the dish resembles oatmeal when cooked with milk. You will find that the dish has toppings such as chicken, red pepper, tomatoes, onions and black limes among others. Jereesh is served not as the main dish and is more of a side dish.

4.    Shakshouka

You will find this dish popular among the many ethnicities in Saudi Arabia. The dish is eggs which are poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chilli peppers, onions, and spiced with cumin. Because the main ingredient of the dish is eggs, Shakshouka is often eaten for breakfast.

5.    Bukhari Rice

Also known as Ruz al-Bukhari in Arabic, this rice dish is a Saudi speciality. It’s a preparation of fragrant rice dish normally served with roast chicken. You will find Bukhari rice served at nearly all restaurants in Saudi Arabia and it is served with a spicy tomato sauce (Salata Hara), freshly chopped vegetable salad and fried potato cubes. It’s filling and once you have this dish, your stomach won’t rumble for a very long time.

Saudi Arabia is an interesting city to explore, along with these delicious meals, don’t forget to taste the amazing dates. Dates hold a special place in Islam for dates are used to break the fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Winter (Nov-Feb) is the best time to visit and there is no better way to visit than Saudi Airlines, the nation’s national carrier. If you happen to be visiting via a travel firm, Cleartrip Bahrain is the one to choose. They will make sure you eat and explore Saudi Arabia just as the locals do.