THE culinary scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is diverse, delicious and booming. From delectable gourmet cuisine to fragrant Arabic dishes, there's something to suit every palate.
THE LARGEST MODERN OLIVE FARM IN AL JOUF
Al Jouf has been growing olives — a staple in the Saudi culinary scene — since 2007. Today, this area in the northern part of the country is home to the largest modern olive farm in the world, a title awarded by Guinness World Records to the Al Jouf Agricultural Development Company, whose more than 5 million olive trees produce about 15,000 tons of olive oil per year.
The month of January traditionally sees the area's annual two-week Olive Festival, which features cultural, social, recreational and educational events, including art contests and seminars about olive cultivation.
THE TRADITIONAL DISHES OF THE NAJD REGION
Najdi cuisine is influenced by the region's topography and desert climates. Hearty and wholesome, the food is dominated by rich stews, wheat, and rice dishes paired with fragrant spices.
The heirloom recipes differ from family to family and have been passed down the generations. The traditional cooking in the Najd is known for lengthy preparation, however, this labor of love is certainly worth the wait.
Some of the must-try dishes include Jareesh (a hearty porridge dish made with coarsely ground wheat, choice of meat, tomatoes), Mataziz and Marquq (pasta-like dishes featuring chunks of meat teamed with a handful of nutritious vegetables and wheat or rye flour dough discs, cooked in smooth tomato sauce) and Kleija (a stuffed biscuit dough shaped like a patterned disk with a special wooden mold).
INVITING UMLUJ EATS
Publicised as being the Saudi Maldives, Umluj is truly a trending destination for unforgettable getaways. Boat racing with dolphins, tanning, swimming, and chasing sunsets is heaps of fun under the sun.
But Umluj is also known for the cultivation of cream-of-the-crop mangos, guava, lemon, figs, and fresh seafood. Its most popular dishes include Samak Nashif (a parrotfish, split in half, doused in salt, and left to dry for at least a week under the sun and usually served with Ma'dous, rice mixed with yellow lentils), Shorbat Habb (a soup made of wheat grains and usually served in the month of Ramadan) and Aseeda (a wheat flour lump of dough cooked with dates, millet, or oats, and topped off with honey and ghee).
MEDINA ON A PLATE
Despite growing leaps and bounds from its humble origins, Medina still retains its historic character as an oasis town. Its cuisine is all about locally grown produce, be it the dates, herbs, or even the famed mint leaves. Must-try local flavors include Medini Rice (rice dish with a slightly sweet tang due to the massive amounts of raisins and carrots, and often served with rotisserie chicken on top with a side of tomato salsa), Turomba (a light and doughy dessert usually eaten after a large meal, like Mandi or Kabsa) and Red Tea with mint (what makes it special is Madinah's mint which is well-known for its intense aroma).
SHARQIYA'S FRESH BASKET
The Eastern Province is the largest in the country, and one of the best ways to explore its diversity is through the local fare.
The vast province shares its border with many countries. Their culinary influences can be traced to almost every traditional dish found here. Some of the region's most popular dishes are Hassawi Rice (one of the most expensive rice varieties and known for its reddish-brown color and for only growing in unusually high temperatures), Balaleet (a traditional dish consisting of vermicelli and eaten either with sweet condiments or savoury with sautéed onions potatoes topped with fried onion) and Afousa (a dessert made by mashing soft dates to form a paste).
Indulge yourself in traditional Arabian cuisines with extra discounts when using foodpanda Promo Code.