Emirati cuisine

Emirati cuisineis the local traditional Arabic cuisine of theUnited Arab Emirates. The origins of Emirati cuisine come from the Bedouins who roamed the country. It is part ofEastern Arabian cuisineand shares similarities with cuisines from neighboring countries, such asOmani cuisineandSaudi Arabian cuisine, as well as influences from differentMiddle EasternandAsiancuisines.
As a major international hub, the United Arab Emirates today has amulticulturalvariety of cuisines from different parts of the world.
Cultivation ofdate palmsin the area can be traced back to the mid-third millennium BC (commonly referred to as the Umm al-Nar period in the United Arab Emirates) from which many date seeds have been found inUmm al-Nar sites. The presence of grinding stones and fired clay ovens in archaeological sites indicate that grain processing was also performed. Studies of human dental remains dating back to the third millennium show a high level of attrition which is believed to result from the mastication of dry bread.
The cuisine which originated in the area that is now the United Arab Emirates and was previously theTrucial Statesis formed by a similar Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisine which is consumed in the widerArabian Peninsula. The food is a mixture of aBedouindiet, consisting ofmeatandcamel milk, a fisherman's diet, consisting mainly of fish common in the Persian Gulf, and a farmer's diet, consisting mainly ofdates. A blend of these diets as well as a mixture of spices such ascinnamon,saffron, andturmericformed the basis of the common dishes consumed in the Trucial states region and the current traditional Emirati cuisine.
Thetraditional foodof the United Arab Emirates uses muchmeat,grain, anddairy.Vegetablesthat are easy to grow in fertile soil, such ascucumbersandtomatoes, are strongly featured in the diet.Mangosare also grown, usually in the northern emirates in villages such asMasafi. Meats traditionally used arechickenor smallfowl, such as Houbara bustards, and goats. As camels are highly prized for their milk and transporting ability, the eating ofcamel meatis normally reserved for special occasions.
The dishes are usually like stews, as everything is often cooked in a single pot.Saffron,cardamom,turmeric, andthymeare the core flavors used in Emirati cookery.Ricewas added to the diet when traders moved to the region.Leaves from indigenous trees, such as the ghaff, were also used to stuff small birds for enhanced flavor.
Traditional dishes includemaq'louba,harees,machbous,frsee'ah,fireed,jisheid, andmishwy.Breakfastin the UAE usually features breads likeraqaq,khameer, andchebab, served withcheese,date syrup, oreggs. These were made over a curved hot plate, resembling a stone, which would have been used by theBedouins.Balaleatis another dish, but its advent began with the traders, who introducedpasta.
Sweet options includeluqeymat, a deep-fried ball ofpancakebatter that is rolled insesame seedsand then drizzled withdate honey. Other desserts includekhabeesa, bread crumbs blended withsugar,cardamom, andsaffron, or bethitha, semolina blended with crusheddates,cardamom, andclarified butter.
At the close of the meal, it is usual to serve a red tea infused withmintas a digestive. Other mealtime traditions include a welcome withdatesandgahwah(Arabic coffee), which are offered on arrival and are kept available throughout the guest's visit.
Seafoodhas been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries."24-year-old Emirati fish seller vows to preserve ancestral occupation".www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved2021-07-28.The United Arab Emirates cuisine is a reflection of an Arabian heritage and exposure to other civilizations over time. As the consumption ofporkis forbidden under Muslim law, it is not included in most menus. Hotels frequently have pork substitutes such as beef, chicken, sausage, and veal rashers on their breakfast menus. If pork is available, it is clearly labelled as such.
Meat,fish, andriceare the staple foods of Emirati cuisine.Lamb and muttonare the more favored meats rather thangoat,beef, andcamel meat.Datesare usually consumed with meals.
Popular beverages arecoffeeandtea, which can be supplemented withcardamom,saffron, ormintto give it a distinct flavor.UAEinteract.com."UAE Travel& Tourism: Food & Drink". UAEinteract. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-01-31. Retrieved2009-07-15.
Alcoholis generally only served in hotel restaurants and bars (but not inSharjah). All nightclubs and golf clubs are permitted to sell alcohol. Specific supermarkets may sell pork in a separate section of the market."Alcohol and Pork Licenses - Allo' Expat Abu Dhabi". Alloexpat.com. 2009-05-30. Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved2009-07-15.
Discover the Tastes of UAE's Old Foods
Emirati cuisine reflects a mix of Arabian, Persian, Indian, and African influences, highlighting the UAE’s role in historic trade routes. Traditional meals emphasize rice, meat, fish, dates, and spices like saffron, cardamom, and turmeric."Discover the Tastes of UAE's Old Foods". Prestige Fleet. January 2025.
Dishes forming part of the Emirati cuisine include:"Welcome to Abu Dhabi - Emirati Cuisine". Visitabudhabi.ae. 2009-07-01. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-08-04. Retrieved2009-07-15."10 Emirati delicacies you just can't miss while travelling to UAE".Khaleej Times. 7 December 2017. Retrieved24 April2020."Authentic Emirati Luqaimat in UAE".LOQA UAE. 30 April 2024. Retrieved30 April2024.
Asida
Chebab bread
Balaleet
Bathieth
Harees
Jami
Jesheed"A taste of Emirati cuisine".gulfnews.com. 26 November 2011. Retrieved2020-04-24.
Kabsa
Khabees
Khanfroush
Khamir bread
MachboosEmaratilicious - (18 October 2016)."خبز الجباب الإماراتي Emarati pancakes chubab"– via YouTube.
Madroob
Margouga
Maqluba
Muhala bread
Ghouzi
Salona
Tharid
Waggafi bread
Biryani"Emirati Cuisine | Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe | UAE".Al Fanar Restaurant. Retrieved2024-05-29.
Dango
Bajella
Luqaimat
The inauguralDubaiFood Festival was held from 21 February to 15 March 2014.According toVisionthe event was aimed at enhancing and celebrating Dubai's position as the gastronomic capital of the region. The festival was designed to showcase the variety of flavours and cuisines on offer in Dubai featuring the cuisines of over 200 nationalities at the festival.