Saudis are world famous for their hospitality. If you are invited by a Saudi to his home, you are for sure going to have a fantastic feast. The moment you enter the house, you will find delicious aromas of appetizing spices wafting through the air. In Saudi Arabia, a guest is treated royally and is made to feel as a part of the family.
Arabian Food, basically a fusion of old eastern spices & time honored traditions, is rich in taste which is enjoyed all across the world. The natural response that comes once you taste the food is that you tend to learn how to make the delicacy again. Some of the world famous food items in Saudi Arabian Cuisine include Mandi, Kabsa, Motabbaq, Masoob, Haneedh, Shawarma and Falafel.
There are different cuisines for all regions in the Kingdom. A lot of these dishes have natural ingredients and have healthy nutritional benefits. They are rich in calories and are served at all the traditional restaurants that are spread across the Kingdom.
The most famous and traditional dish is Mandi. Hotels and Restaurants take privilege in serving their customers the traditional dish which is an all-time favorite with the food lovers. The word Mandi comes from the Arabic word “Nada” which means dew and reflects the moist “dewy” texture of the meat. Mandi is usually made from rice, meat and a mixture of traditional spices. The meat that is usually used for the preparation of “Mandi” is from a young and small sized lamb to ensure a fine taste. One of the other most popular dishes in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Al-Ma’soub which is one of the most wide spread traditional dish in the Makkah Region. It’s a sweet which is usually made with wheat, honey and bananas. The traditional way of making this delicacy is to first bake the wheat and then drop it into a wooden bowl. A good mixture of honey, butter and bananas are added to it and the mixture is then battered with a sharp tool. Cream can be added before being served to the guests.
There are a large number of expatriates in the Kingdom and they have played a major role in introducing different Asian Dishes along with the already famous Arabian Cuisine. Shawarma & Felafel are two such examples which have become very famous throughout the kingdom. It has also become very popular in India and Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia is also famous for its Gahwa. It’s a kind of coffee and is served in every single house of the Kingdom. According to the Cultural Mission of Saudi Arabia, “Serving a cup of coffee (Gahwa) is a sign of hospitality and generosity.” Traditionally the coffee beans are first roasted and then cooled in front of the guests using a mortar and pestle. Cardamom pods are added to the coffee beans during the grinding process before the coffee is brewed and served to the guests. This is a practice which is still in practice in the desert areas. However in big cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, it’s not prepared in front of the guests. It is instead elegantly served in a dallah and served in very small cups which are called finjan.
Saudi Cuisine is one of the most famous cuisines in the World. No wonder, Saudi Arabia is one of the largest importers of both Lamb & Mutton. It’s not just the locals but also a lot of expatriates that enjoy Saudi Food not just because it’s rich in taste but also due to the fact that it is extremely nutritional.
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