western-asia
Explore 98 foods connected to Saudi Arabia, from everyday staples to rare local specialties.
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The local shortlist
12 editor-selected foods for understanding the place through what people eat.
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The full directory
98 foods in this view. Filter by category, type, rarity, or search every recorded name.
Saudi Arabia
عصيدة
Thick porridge made from wheat flour or mashed dates, traditionally eaten by hand, popular in central regions, smooth thick consistency that can be formed into balls with hands, rich ghee flavor, a comforting and traditional dish.
Madinah, Saudi Arabia
تمر عجوة
Ajwa Dates are a soft, dark Medina variety with moderate sweetness and a moist texture; their cultural importance is tied to Islamic tradition.
Madinah, Saudi Arabia
البكاية
Al-Bakaya Dates are Medina dates with very high sweetness and delicate fruit, historically difficult to cultivate because of perishability.
Al-Jawf, Saudi Arabia
البكيلة
Al-bukayla, the Hijazi fenugreek-and-greens dish eaten with bread, is a named regional preparation.
Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
أرز حساوي
Al-Hassawi Rice is a red-grained variety cultivated in the Al-Ahsa oasis, with nutty flavor and firm grains that hold their shape.
Jazan, Saudi Arabia
المغش
Jazan Maghsh is a slow-cooked Saudi meat and vegetable dish prepared in a heavy pot until the pieces are tender.
Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia
المليحية
Al-Mulayhiya combines rice, lamb, meat broth, and dried yogurt called jameed, garnished with parsley and pine nuts in the Northern Borders.
Aseer, Saudi Arabia
الرضيفة
Radhifa is an Asir meal of ghee, salt, fresh milk, and flour, served hot with a creamy texture and strong ghee flavor.
Najran, Saudi Arabia
الرقش
Al-Ruqsh is a Najran dish of hand-torn thin bread poured with meat broth and topped with lamb in a granite serving dish.
Madinah, Saudi Arabia
تمر عنبرة
Anbara Dates are a large Medina variety with soft flesh and a rich flavor; their elongated fruit is associated with high market prices.
Djibouti
قهوة عربية
Light roasted Arabica coffee with cardamom and saffron, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, symbol of Emirati hospitality, light golden color with distinct cardamom fragrance, served in tiny finjan cups.
Madinah, Saudi Arabia
عرز مدني
Traditional dish from Al-Madinah region of white steamed rice topped with tender meat in rich red-colored broth, distinctive red broth color with tender meat and well-seasoned rice with depth of flavor, a Medina regional specialty.
Aseer, Saudi Arabia
عريقة
Areeka combines mashed dates and crumbled bread with cream, condensed milk, honey, and spices into a rich Asir dessert with a creamy texture.
Turkey
Ajran
Ayran is a cold drink of yogurt, water and salt, whisked until lightly foamy. In Bulgaria it is a summer fountain and meal drink, never a sweet yogurt.
Lebanon
بليلة
Whole chickpeas warmed in their cooking liquid and dressed with garlic, lemon, cumin and olive oil, eaten with a spoon.
Iraq
تمر برحي
Round yellow dates eaten crisp at the khalal stage, tasting of coconut and apple before they ripen to soft brown.
Madinah, Saudi Arabia
تمر برني
Barni Dates are a reddish-brown, medium-sized Medina variety with sweet flavor, firm-chewy flesh, and reliable storage qualities.
Egypt
بسبوسة
A Egyptian semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup, topped with almonds or coconut, a daily and sweet shop classic
Saudi Arabia
دجاج مشوي
Dajaj Mashwi is grilled chicken marinated in Saudi spices, often served with rice; the meat remains juicy beneath charred skin.
United Arab Emirates
Ντολμάδες
Greek stuffed grape leaves with rice, herbs, and olive oil, rolled into small parcels. A meze and Clean Monday staple, tangy and herby, served cold with lemon, a national dish.
Yemen
Torn flatbread fried in ghee with eggs and sometimes tomato until it crisps at the edges.
Lebanon
فتوش
Salad with crispy bread pieces, vegetables, and sumac dressing, fresh vegetables with crispy bread and tangy sumac dressing, well-balanced, a popular and refreshing Arabic salad in UAE, daily and beloved.
Sudan
فول مدمس
Dried fava beans simmered soft and crushed at the table with lemon, garlic, cumin and olive oil, eaten with raw onion and bread.
Saudi Arabia
قرصان
Gursan layers dry paper-thin bread sheets over meat and vegetables in broth until the bread absorbs flavorful juices without becoming mushy.
Homs, Lebanon
حلاوة الجبن
Soft cheese dough rolled around ashta, cut into small pieces and drenched in orange-blossom syrup with pistachios; an Egyptian form of the Levantine sweet.
Aseer, Yemen
حنيث
Southern Saudi specialty of lamb slow-cooked in underground oven with aromatic leaves, king of Asir tables, served at weddings and celebrations, meat separates from bone effortlessly with distinct herbal aroma, an Asir regional icon.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
حنيني
Hanini is a Najd dish of crumbled qursan bread mixed with date paste, melted ghee, saffron, and cardamom.
United Arab Emirates
هريس
Wheat and meat porridge slow-cooked for hours then beaten until smooth, a Ramadan specialty and wedding dish, UNESCO-recognized, smooth porridge-like consistency with meat fully incorporated.
Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
ليمون حساوي
Hassawi Lemons are small Al-Ahsa limes used fresh or dried for loomi, with high acidity, smooth skin, and a strong fragrance.
Yemen
هوايج
Spice blend used in mandi and other Yemeni-influenced dishes, cardamom, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and black pepper, aromatic and warming, cardamom-forward aroma with warming spice blend and yellowish color from turmeric, an essential Saudi ingredient.
United Arab Emirates
حمص
Chickpeas boiled soft and beaten with tahini, lemon and garlic into a smooth paste, swirled with olive oil — the shared Levantine staple claimed by every coast of the eastern Mediterranean, eaten with pita at any hour.
Saudi Arabia
جريش
Jareesh is cracked wheat porridge slow-cooked with meat and yogurt or broth until creamy, then served with Najdi accompaniments.
United Arab Emirates
جلاب
Jellab is a sweet drink made from grape molasses, dates, and rose water, served with pine nuts and raisins during Ramadan; it has a deep burgundy color.
Saudi Arabia
كبسة
Saudi Kabsa is rice cooked in a tomato, onion, and spice broth with chicken or lamb, then finished with raisins, nuts, or fried onions depending on the region.
Saudi Arabia
كابلي
Kabuli is a rice dish combining meat, raisins, carrots, nuts, and aromatic spices; in Saudi Arabia it is also known as Bukhari rice.
United Arab Emirates
كارك تشاي
Strong spiced tea with milk, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and saffron, brought by Indian diaspora, now UAE's beloved street-side daily drink, strong tea flavor with creamy texture and distinct cardamom aroma.