Here’s all you need to know about Emirati cuisine?

We’re not left wanting for food options in the capital but what do you know about the native cuisine of the UAE?

words Colin Armstrong

We live in a modern society where food can be ordered at the touch of a button, bringing flavours of Italy, India and almost every cuisine imaginable to your doorstep in an instant.

While the UAE is undoubtedly a cosmopolitan society made up of a rich tapestry of cultures, nationalities and traditions, the national cuisine isn’t the easiest to get your hands on.

So, here’s a question:  What exactly is Emirati food and where can you try it for yourself?

A bit of background

Emirati cuisine has changed over time and many people could be forgiven for confusing Levantine food such as hummus, tabbouleh and falafel as national dishes due to their popularity here – but they are not.

Traditional foods were based around grains, dairy and some meat including chicken, fowl and goats. Camel meat was also eaten but was usually reserved for special occasions since the animals were valuable for their milk and transportation.

And considering the UAE has a rich maritime history, it should come as no surprise that the sea was also a main food source, with fish like hammour and shaari eshkeli becoming regular ingredients in Emirati cooking over the years.

Giving dishes flavour, leaves from local flora like the ghaf, an indigenous flowering tree in the pea family, were used to season dishes. It wasn’t until international trade roots were established that spices, rice and other ingredients became staples in cooking.

Over the years, recipes began to change and the food of the UAE took on a distinct identity with unique characteristics influenced by travellers and interactions with other nations.

Hungry? Let’s take a look at what you can expect from Emirati food…

On the menu

You know there’s more to Emirati food than Arabic coffee and dates, so let’s forget these staples for now. Here are our picks of dishes that you need to try.

 

Balaleet
Essentially a thin, spiced vermicelli dish served with an omelette, this sweet and sour breakfast dish is a popular meal in the UAE. Sometimes served with boiled beans, the dish can be found at various Arabic restaurants.

 

Chabab
The Emirati version of a pancake, the chebab is made with eggs, sugar, flour and spices, including cardamom. The pancake’s yellow tint comes from a dash of saffron and it’s all served with a side of sweet date syrup.

 

Saloona
A local form of stew, this hearty dish is perfect for sharing with friends and family. Made up of a mixture of seasonal vegetables and meat, chicken or fish, it’s often served and enjoyed with boiled rice.

 

Mhammar
This sweet and savoury dish celebrates the fruit of the sea. Made from locally caught fish including the likes of faskar and jesh umalhala, the seafood is served whole on top of caramelised onions and a sweet yellow rice.

 

Al harees
This one-pot dish is made from meat and wheat and is often served for special occasions, including weddings and Ramadan. Wheat is cooked in a pot with seasoning and then the meat is added and cooked over a long period until it eventually dissolves into the mixture. Once the desired consistency is reached, it’s topped with ghee and served.

 

Al machboos
This traditional dish can be made with meat, chicken or shrimp and is prepared by cooking the meat in water with spices, preserved lemon, onion and vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Cooked rice and saffron is then added to the mixture in layers before being served.

 

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