Learn about traditional Emirati dishes that foodies can enjoy all year round

2021: The Dubai Food Festival highlights well-known traditional Emirati dishes, which are an integral part of the authentic Emirati heritage.

Emirati cuisine has shaped the food scene in Dubai for several decades, and is still one of the main options for tastings, and residents and visitors are keen to head to the ancient historical areas of the city's famous souks to explore the wonderful traditional flavors or visit restaurants.

The star of Tik Tok explains Abdel Aziz (azlife.aeThe importance of Emirati cuisine in the country, and he says: “Emirati cuisine is part of the country’s identity and ancient heritage. It is an essential hub for societies and an occasion that allows families and friends to gather together in an atmosphere of generosity, especially on occasions and holidays. The popularity of Emirati dishes has increased in conjunction with the development of the country and its growth until the present time, to gain a distinguished position among people who love these dishes just as we love them, whether inside or outside the country.”

Here are some of the dishes that the city's food connoisseurs recommend:

Balaleet

Balaleet is a traditional dish that combines sweet and savory tastes. It is very popular in the UAE and is popular with visitors as well. Ahmed Al Janahi, a food expert from @The_Foody  He said: “Balaleet is a famous Emirati dish and it is my favourite, as every family prepares it differently and has two different colors according to the way of cooking. The dish consists of a number of sweet and savory ingredients, namely vermicelli sweetened with rose water, cinnamon and saffron, served with a thin slice of egg omelette on top. The dish is a popular breakfast option and can be garnished with pistachios before serving.”

Visitors can experience the balaleet for themselves when visiting the Arabian Tea House with its branches in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, The Mall (Jumeirah) or the archaeological site of Jumeirah. 

Luqaimat

Besides being easy to prepare, this delicious dessert perfectly reflects Emirati heritage and culture in all its ingredients. Luqaimat are pieces of local dough pies made of milk, sugar, butter and flour, then fried in oil, after which date molasses is added, with its popular taste among citizens, residents and visitors. Amal Ahmed, a famous Emirati influencer who appears on a page, says @mr_ahmad_“I love Emirati dishes and the rich flavors, ingredients and spices that characterize these dishes, such as saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, loumi, and others. Luqaimat is a dish loved by almost everyone, and it is one of the most famous Emirati sweets, which is characterized by the addition of sesame and date molasses to it.”

Delicious Luqaimat can be tasted at Hum Yum on Jumeirah Street, Kite Beach, Nad Al Sheba and Al Marmoom to be enjoyed alongside a cup of delicious Karak tea.

Al-Majboos

Majboos is a dish of rice rich in unique flavors and spices. The rice is cooked in meat or chicken broth that contains spices and other ingredients. Rice is one of the most important ingredients in Emirati cuisine, while machboos is one of the favorite options, says Amal Ahmed @mr_ahmad_:”Majboos is not to be missed! It contains rice, meat, dried lemon, spices and onions and it is cooked with chicken, meat or fish – it is always one of my favorite dishes.”

Those wishing to taste the traditional majboos can head to Al Fanar Restaurant and Café in Dubai Festival City, Al Seef or Al Barsha.

 

porridge

One of the popular dishes in the UAE, especially on occasions such as the blessed month of Ramadan, as it is considered a preferred option for breakfast because of its lightness and taste. Made from chicken, meat, or even vegetables, porridge is a broth that contains large pieces of potatoes and is eaten with rice or bread like regag bread.

Authentic traditional porridge and other traditional dishes can be enjoyed at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Cultural Understanding.