Emirati cuisine

When sampling Emirati gastronomy, it is important to note that it comes from a variety of influences. These come from the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. These are the spicy, flavorful dishes you could find. Here’s some information you need to know about Emirati cuisine:

• Rice remains the staple food. It is often accompanied by meat, fish or vegetables. But wheat can also be found in some traditional dishes.
• Spices and aromas: as we’ve already mentioned, these are dishes with taste. Your taste buds will be in ecstasy as you sample Emirati dishes.
• Emirati dishes are mainly based on lamb and chicken. But don’t forget that fruit is also very much a part of this type of cuisine.
• As far as bread is concerned, it’s mainly flat bread that you’ll find in the United Arab Emirates.
• Desserts are based on dates, honey, pistachios and almonds. Other popular beverages include Arabic coffee with cardamom, green tea and fruit drinks.

As you can see, it’s a rather atypical cuisine that’s sure to please those who like spicy dishes.

Would you like to immerse yourself in an Emirati family for a meal? Contact us!

If you’d like an overview of the different dishes you can enjoy in the United Arab Emirates, this is the place to go. In fact, we’re sure you’ll be able to find dishes such as :

• Harees: made with cracked wheat and minced meat. It is accompanied by onion and ground cumin. It’s also one of the UAE’s best-known traditional dishes.
• The Machboos: the Machboos is also very well known. The recipe has been handed down from mother to daughter. You can easily find different types of meat, but also vegetables within this delicious dish. It’s also a dish that can be served during family meals.
• Lokma: a delicacy that can be found as a dessert in many restaurants. The latter is made from flour, sesame, turmeric, salt and yeast.
• Marouba: this dish is generally prepared with chicken. But it can also be made with other types of meat or fish.
• Tharid: this dish is mostly found in Dubai. In fact, that’s where it comes from, allowing your taste buds to travel. This will be accompanied by wholemeal bread and vegetables.
  Chicken Saloona: this is one of the most popular dishes in Dubai’s restaurants. The latter remains an indomitable force. Made from chicken, it is richly spiced with ginger and turmeric.
• Ozhee: perfect for weddings or special events.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. It’s perfectly possible to find other dishes in the United Arab Emirates.

If you would like to share a meal in French with an Emirati family or simply discover the local cuisine, contact us!

As well as the cuisine, it’s important to know the customs and traditions of the United Arab Emirates. So that you can easily find your way around, here is a list of gestures and traditions that you should respect:

• Eating as a group: traditionally, it’s best to eat as a group, but especially as a family.
• Eating with your hands: this is a common practice in Emirati traditions. Cutlery is not necessarily de rigueur.
• Sitting down to dinner: yes, the United Arab Emirates are no exception to this rule. Traditionally, you eat seated on the floor.
• Coffee and dates: before the meal, it’s customary to offer coffee and dates.
  Serving a variety of dishes: in this culture, it’s important to serve a variety of dishes so that everyone gets their fill.
• Respect for guests: this is another point that shouldn’t be overlooked, quite the opposite in fact.
• You should also avoid eating with your left hand.

In conclusion, Emirati cuisine is full of dishes with different flavors. It’s also important to respect certain traditions, especially if you’re a guest. So it’s important to know what these are to avoid coming across as rude, for example.

We would be delighted to introduce you to Emirati cuisine on our private guided tours. Contact us to find out more.