The United Arab Emirates is a truly cosmopolitan country where tourists from all over the world flock to see the local attractions. The country has noticeably increased its status as a rapidly developing region.

Apart from the sights to see, you can enjoy traditional delicious food all over the country. Whichever place you choose: , or Ras Al Khaimah, do not miss the opportunity to taste their best cuisine.

If you do a little research on the cuisine, you will find that the traditional dishes of this country have a rich and unique taste. Lots of spices will remind you of Indian cuisine.

Traditional dishes are prepared with rice, fish and meat as the main ingredients. Arabs eat sheep and goat meat. Meanwhile, in special cases For example, on Ait (Muslim holiday) and for weddings, festive dishes are prepared from camel meat. However, for tourists and visitors, restaurants serve this traditional dish all year round.

The following 5 must-try dishes include:

Stuffed Camel

Stuffed camel is one of the the most amazing dishes V . It was included in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the largest dishes in the world. It is usually served at weddings in elite families. The main ingredients are a whole camel, one lamb, 20 chickens, boiled eggs, fish and rice.

To prepare this dish, the camel is stuffed with basic ingredients. So, one of the most amazing dishes you can taste around the globe is roasted camel.

Al Harees

Al Harith is a famous dish in the UAE with a very exotic taste. It is made from meat and wheat. This is a simple and elegant dish that requires few ingredients but a long cooking time. This dish is usually served during Ramadan, weddings and festivals, etc.

Wheat and meat with a pinch of salt are thrown into boiling water and cooked for several hours until all the ingredients turn into a homogeneous paste, which is then cooked in a covered clay pot over coals almost overnight.

This dish has a simple salty taste and rich aroma of meat and wheat. Add other spices to enhance the flavor according to your taste preferences. Al Haris is served by first pouring ghee on a flat plate.

Shawarma

Most often we can see shawarma being eaten in this country. Similarly, shawarma has become popular in Asian countries. All restaurants serve this dish differently. Typically, garlic sauce, pickles, potatoes and tomatoes are wrapped in Arabic roti (dough). This dish is more like a kebab.

The taste and preparation method vary from place to place. However, despite all this, the demand and popularity for shawarma has never fallen. In the UAE, shawarma is usually ordered with a special fruit drink made from strawberries and banana.

Al Machboos

Al Mahboos is also a very popular and traditional dish in the UAE. The basic ingredients are rice, meat, onion and dried lemon (Lumi). Other seasonings use spices and salt.

To prepare this dish, all the ingredients are boiled until they are tender. The meat is then separated and the rice is added to the remaining mixture. The meat is then added back to the rice and vegetable mixture and cooked for two hours. This dish is the best in the Gulf region.

Hummus

Hummus isn't really a dish at all, it's more of a well-known puree made from chickpeas (chickpeas), olive oil, lemon juice, tahini paste, salt and garlic. It is served with other dishes such as shawarma or pita bread. It is also a wonderful snack with a truly unique taste.
Top 5 dishes will add flavor and fun to your trip. Be sure to go out for dinner if you visit the UAE.

Despite the fact that the kitchens various countries The Middle East has its own national differences; they have a lot in common. This is the widespread use of spices and herbs. Prohibition of eating pork and drinking alcohol. Special rules for eating, especially during religious holidays or other significant events. The manner of eating with your hands and other features. All this is commonly called Arabic cuisine today.

The national cuisine of the United Arab Emirates is not much different from any other cuisine in the Arab country. But today, due to the dramatic changes that have occurred over last years, it has become quite difficult to find restaurants serving only national cuisine. Many fast food restaurants, mixed cuisine restaurants and restaurants specializing in other cuisines of the world are opening.

Only in small private cafes where they cook right on the street, you can find exclusively national dishes. They can be immediately recognized by the aroma of oriental spices that are widespread around, of which there are countless numbers. They give the original taste and aroma to local dishes. But you shouldn’t try everything here right away. The European stomach must gradually get used to Arab cuisine.

About meat

Arabic cuisine is based on any meat except pork. First of all, lamb boiled or in the form of kebab. All parts of the ram’s body are used, even the entrails, head and hooves. Here is just one option for preparing the popular dish “huzi”. The lamb is baked, first stuffed with chicken, eggs and rice. The finished dish is seasoned with saffron and onions. Veal, poultry and fish dishes are also popular.

Meat is also often used for kebabs or minced meat. The meat is usually juicy and tasty. In Arabic cuisine it is cooked without fat, in a hot frying pan. If the preparation of some dishes requires additional processing, then in this case the use of fat or oil is allowed. The main foods include lentils and beans. They are used as food in various types and options. Meat dishes are often given a sour taste by adding lemon, yogurt, vinegar, tamarind or pomegranate juice.

Shawarma is very popular in Middle Eastern countries. In Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, shawarma is prepared in Lebanese style. Chicken or lamb meat is used as a base. The salad mixed with chopped meat is rolled into an Arabic flatbread and topped with sauce.

It is also a tradition in Arabic cuisine to end the meal with dessert. An excellent dessert is pudding, and there are a great many types and tastes of pudding.

About coffee

worth mentioning separately. It is believed that the art of preparing this drink came from the East. People drink coffee here often and everywhere. A cup of coffee is a great place to start a conversation or end a meal. In the United Arab Emirates, the light Arabic variety is popular, which is obtained from lightly roasted Arabica coffee beans.

There is a whole ritual of serving coffee in special dishes intended for this - sharp-nosed copper "dalla" coffee pots. In Dubai, they believe that coffee should be served in small cups without handles. If coffee is drunk in company, it is served from right to left, starting with the oldest or highest-ranking person, and a little less than half a cup is poured. They drink in portions until the guests let them know that they have had enough. Pouring a full cup of coffee is considered bad manners.

When treating you, you may be offered a choice of both coffee and tea, which is brewed with a lot of sugar. The tea turns out very sweet, similar to syrup, but quenches thirst very well. It is served in narrow glasses with a small handle.

About dishes

Currently, the Lebanese-Syrian version of Arabic cuisine is widespread in Dubai. He suggests serving a selection of small appetizers called mezes at the beginning of the meal. They include vegetable salads, garlic paste, nut butter, dolma with minced meat and vegetables, small triangular-shaped hot pies with fillings, eggplant caviar and assorted cheeses.

Among the assortment of “meze” there is certainly “mutabbal” or, more simply, eggplant caviar. Sometimes eggplant caviar is also called "babaganoush" (literally translated as old man's food). It is consumed not with a fork, but with a piece of flatbread. The eggplant itself is baked until tender along with hot garlic. It turns out quite tasty.

Among the features of Dubai cuisine, one can note “makbus” and “haris”. "Makbus" is mutton with spices and rice, and "haris" is a dish made from wheat and mutton. In addition, Dubai residents often cook rice with chopped chicken and fish, vegetables and seasonings; they call this dish “biryani”.

The huge size allows you to prepare a wide variety of dishes from fresh or dried fish. Seafood is used in different types as a main dish or side dishes.

Flatbreads made from dough without yeast are popular in Dubai. They replace bread here. The process of making such flatbreads is even shown to tourists in the Heritage village.

All kinds of vegetables and fruits are brought to Dubai markets from all over the region. Traditionally, there are many almonds, walnuts and even pine nuts that are used in cooking. The dates that grow here are very popular.

Very popular in Dubai mineral water both from local sources and imported, but Muslims are strictly forbidden to drink wine. Even to foreigners it is sold only in hotel bars and restaurants.

Video. UAE cuisine

A little about the country and a master class on preparing some popular national dishes of the Emirates.

FOOD IN UAE

Once in the Emirates, a tourist will be simply spoiled by the variety of food - local restaurants and cafes offer almost all cuisines of the world, including European, Indian, Japanese and even Mexican. All supermarkets and grocery stores sell the same products as in Europe; Hotel buffets offer both Arabic and European food.

The average bill in an inexpensive cafe is approximately 40-50 dirhams (AED), or 320-360 rubles per person; a good lunch or dinner for two in a mid-level restaurant will cost about 150-170 AED (1200-1350 rubles). For a combined lunch at a local McDonald's you will have to pay an average of 22 AED (180 rubles), a Big Mac costs about 11-12 AED (88-96 rubles).

Street eateries offer traditional Arabic shawarma and grilled chicken. Shawarma on the street costs 4-5 AED (32-40 rubles). Ice cream costs 1-2 AED (several times more expensive on the beach); a cup of coffee in a cafe – 8-12 AED; iced tea – 8-10 AED.

Information on the cost of food in local stores can be found in the article Prices in the UAE.

Traditional Arabic dishes popular in the Emirates include biryani (rice with meat or chicken), haris (boiled lamb), machbus (rice with lamb), and khomos (pounded peas with lemon). Poultry dishes are very popular in the UAE - there are many different options for preparing chicken with rice, vegetables and even honey.

IN large quantities A variety of spices and seasonings are used.

Drinks in the UAE

In all emirates except Sharjah, non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol. However, you cannot drink alcoholic beverages in in public places, as well as buying alcohol for UAE citizens.

You can buy booze in special stores, restaurants in expensive hotels and bars. During Ramadan, alcohol is sold only at night.

Prices for alcohol in the country are quite high - a bottle of wine costs on average 80 dirhams (640 rubles), a half-liter can of beer costs more than 12 dirhams (more than 100 rubles). In general, alcohol prices vary from emirate to emirate and from store to store. “Knowledgeable” tourists who have visited the country more than once will tell you where you can find booze at the best prices.

The most common non-alcoholic drink is coffee. Here it is usually prepared “on the spot” and served in small bowls.

Tipping in the UAE

Most restaurants and hotels in the UAE include the cost of service in the bill, so tipping is not necessary. If a tip is not included in the bill, you can leave 10% of the order amount. They don't leave tips in taxis. It is customary to give porters 5-10 dirhams.

The UAE is a multifaceted and very interesting country. The young state, which has created all the conditions for its guests, is becoming increasingly popular. Lovers of luxury go there for oriental chic, active tourists for an extraordinary pastime, and gourmets for exquisite Arabic cuisine.

United Arab Emirates. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paolo_rosa/

However, in addition to Arab national cuisine, there are also cuisines from other countries. The combination of large and small European cafes and restaurants with local oriental flavor will delight even the most experienced tourist.

Some tourists compared their trip to the UAE to a trip to a fairy tale. To feel the spirit of the East, you need to try the cuisine of this country at least once.

Peculiarities of UAE cuisine

Apparent freedom should not mislead the traveler. The UAE is a Muslim country, so all life here is influenced by Islam.

For example, you should be aware of the month of Ramadan (Ramadan), in which you are allowed to eat only after sunset and before sunrise. During this period, restaurants usually open only after dusk, particularly after 8 pm. In 2013, Ramadan will fall from July 11 to August 9.

There are restrictions on pork consumption in the UAE. You won't find pork in regular restaurants. If you are not Muslim and want a pork chop, you will have to find a specialty restaurant that will prepare it for you.

Street food

It is better to start getting acquainted with the national cuisine of the UAE on the street. Numerous tents and small cafes offer a variety of snacks and small full meals. All dishes purchased on the street are mostly wrapped in Arabic bread - lavash, which has a flat shape. But another type of bread is also common - pita (round buns).

Pete. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaica/

One of delicious dishes with bread is called Manakish. This is melted cheese with olives and herbs, which is wrapped in pita bread or pita bread. It is sold hot, and after the manakish has cooled down, it is eaten with your hands.

Manakish. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiragnd/

And this is an Arabic dish called “Falafel”. It is popular not only in street cafes, but also on every family table in the Emirates. Tender chickpea puree balls are dipped in flour and fried in olive oil. To decorate and make it even more appetizing, falafel is served on leaves. fresh salad or wrapped in pita bread.

Falafel. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65633948@N00/

The world-famous Shawarma (shawarma) came to us from the East. It is sold in literally all countries, and each has its own name and filling. You won’t find shawarma without meat in the UAE, but in other countries they can wrap just vegetables in lettuce leaves.

Shawarma shop. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmundito/

In a real Arabian Shawarma, chicken is fried and wrapped in pita bread with vegetables (tomatoes, lettuce, garlic and cucumber), used olive oil, pepper, paprika.

For Shawarma lovers who have already tried this dish in other countries, it will be interesting to try the Arabic version.

Spices in the UAE

If you try a dish that is unfamiliar to you, be sure to take into account local culinary traditions: in the UAE they add very large quantities of seasonings to food. Both in fashionable restaurants and in a small tent on the street, the food will be equally spicy, generously seasoned.
The most commonly used seasonings are coriander, cinnamon, sesame, cumin, chili pepper, and curry.

Spices at a bazaar in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elsa11/

The variety of spices presented in the Arab bazaars is amazing, and you can try them all before you buy them. Moreover, you will be treated to something you didn’t even plan to buy.

Meze appetizers

In the East it is not customary to rush. Both conversation and eating begin from afar: therefore, before the main course you will be offered several appetizers: vegetable salads, eggplant caviar (mutabbal, baba ganoush), cheese or meat pies, nut and garlic pastes, corn and wheat porridges.

Arabian Meze. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/riwayat/

All this will be served to you on a large platter, divided into cells. These small portions are meze. By the way, some restaurants serve vegetables in meze for free.

Fish in the UAE

The UAE is washed by the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs; when visiting this country, you will feel like you have arrived in a maritime power.

There is a huge variety of fish dishes here. Many restaurants rely not on meat, but on seafood. They have a popular buffet system, where the fish lies on special tables in ice. In other establishments you can find aquariums in which your potential, still live, “dinner” swims.

Seafood restaurant in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asimchoudhri/

One of the most popular lunch dishes is Briki. This is a dish of fish (sometimes minced lamb) or shrimp fried in the finest puff pastry. Bricks are made from dough in the shape of triangles and served with lemon slices and herbs.

Arabian Brick. Photo: promotunisia.com

Another, no less interesting fish dish is the famous Al Madruba, boiled salted fish. During cooking, spices and flour are added. Al Madruba is served with a sauce that emphasizes its unusual salty taste, which is why this fish is especially popular.

Fish is also prepared in a hundred other ways: dried, made into fish kebabs, fried on the grill. And they certainly season it with delicious sauces, spicy seasonings and fresh vegetables, which make them even tastier and more refined.

Seafood in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephchan749/

Other seafood is also popular - lobster, shrimp, crab, barracuda, tuna, khamur - sea bass. You can even find shark on the menu.

Meat dishes

Chicken, lamb, veal, lamb... A wide selection of meat products that will satisfy any gourmet. Meat in this country is mainly consumed in the form of kebabs, and sometimes several types of meat are combined in one serving.

Cooking meat on the grill. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhisheksrivastava/

“Lamb kebab” - this is what is written on the menu in Arab restaurants. Often there are no explanations or names, so you can only hope that this is the kebab you were looking for. However, if you are in the United Arab Emirates, then you do not need to worry about the quality of meat and excellent taste.

Kebab. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/redwackyworm/

The meat is always fresh and tender. Especially lamb, which is pre-beaten and marinated for several hours in lemon juice. Then they are fried without using fat, add a lot of spices and serve with a suitable sauce. Once you try this dish, you will forever remember what real kebab is.

Biryani is a national Arab dish. Everyone who has ever been to the UAE has probably tried it. Local chefs not only cook Biryani excellently, there are restaurants specializing in it.
This is a rice dish with meat (chicken, lamb), vegetables or fish. Be sure to have a large amount of spices, which are fried in a frying pan first. Place meat (fish, vegetables) cut into strips on fried spices, and rice on top.

Biryani with mutton. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29412850@N05/

For this dish, they take a certain type of rice - basmati, because of its long and thin grains. Sometimes pistachios and raisins are added to Biryani, as well as cloves. In general, this dish is similar to pilaf, so it will not seem exotic.

Dessert

The UAE, as one of the eastern countries, is rich in sweets and various spices. Pistachio puddings, raisin bread pies, cheese pies, honey donuts, dates, date honey, custard donuts, halva, Turkish delight... It's too much to list.

Arabic sweets. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guuleed/

This is the largest sweets store in Dubai, which is famous far beyond the country's borders. Its area is about 1000 square meters. meters.

Shop Candylicious. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47391741@N04/

But unfortunately, national sweets are not represented there. Mainly sweets from different countries world, and from the local - only fresh Dubai cakes.

If you want to buy real oriental delicacies, you have a direct route to the bazaar. In sweet shops, tourists are no longer surprised when they buy kilograms of local delicacies to take home as souvenirs.

Dates are very useful for digestive system, so they are eaten several times a day. For example, dates with almonds are served for breakfast and offered to guests with tea in the evening. To do this, remove the seeds from the fruit and put almonds in their place. People with a sweet tooth eat dates with honey, chocolate and butter.

Dates with almonds. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexander/

Umm Ali (omm ali) is a festive Arabic dish. It is served as a dessert for tea on a weekend or prepared for important guests. This bread pudding is soaked in fruit syrup or rose petal water, and large nuts, raisins and dried fruits are added.

Umm Ali dessert. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakingobsessions/

Umm Ali is one of the oriental delicacies that is most popular among tourists.

While Umm Ali pudding is one of the least sweet dishes in the UAE, pistachio baklava is one of the sweetest. To prevent an excessive sweet taste from remaining in your mouth, wash it down with tea.

Beverages

In the hot Emirates, of course, you are constantly thirsty. There you will always find natural juices from all kinds of fruits, as well as their mixtures. In the stalls on the streets where fruit juice is squeezed, there are usually at least 5-8 types.

Coffee shop in the UAE. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nidserz/

Coffee in the UAE is a ritual. There are so many coffee shops in cities that you won’t have any difficulty finding them even with your eyes closed – by smell. Locals visit coffee shops at least once a day.

To ensure that guests relax with a cup of coffee, local coffee shops make every effort. A good establishment will definitely have twilight and an atmosphere conducive to relaxation.

Arabic coffee. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miemo/

The most popular coffee in the UAE is the light Arabian variety. Its main feature is that it is brewed from unroasted coffee beans.

They also drink tea, but less. Mainly after a heavy meat lunch or dinner. It is served in special tea cups. Green tea, mint and sage, which have calming properties, are common.

Alcohol in free sale you won't see it in this country. Not even in every hotel you can drink a glass of wine or a glass of beer. Alcohol in the UAE is sold only in hotels that have a license to sell alcohol.

Non-alcoholic beer in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drytimes/

However, for a country like the UAE, the availability of alcohol is not that important. The antiquity of traditions and the richness of Arab culture will inspire you for a long time to make other journeys and further searches for the unknown.
In the Emirates, you will try dishes rich in healthy spices, plunge into the magical, tranquil atmosphere of Arab coffee shops, and see as many sweets in the bazaars as you have never seen in your entire life.

For you, we have revealed only one side of this multifaceted state, now all that’s left is to see and experience it live. Have a nice trip, bon appetit!

The national cuisine of the UAE was formed under the influence of the religious characteristics of the state and natural and climatic conditions. The Emirates is a Muslim state that does not eat pork. Therefore in meat dishes It uses beef, veal, poultry, goat, fish and eggs.

If you have no idea what National dish is considered the most delicious in Arab cuisine, the first thing you should do upon arriving here is to try lamb with rice and nuts, traditional Arab shawarma, shish kebab, lamb shish kebab, a kind of “rice” pizza and many other original dishes.

Poultry dishes are very popular in traditional UAE cuisine. Quail meat “samman”, as well as chicken stew, is especially revered in the east. All kinds of spices and seasonings are used for all dishes. Meat soups occupy an important place on the table.

Often the meal is accompanied by meat pies made from coarse wheat flour called “kube” or triangular pies “sambusa”. Not a single dish of Arab cuisine can be imagined without vegetables or herbs. Local residents consume large quantities of dishes from fermented milk products, especially cheese.

Seafood also plays an important role in the kitchen. The UAE is a maritime power, so you will not find a shortage of fish and seafood here. In addition, local cuisine is famous for its desserts. Tourists especially like dishes such as milk pudding with nuts, pistachio pudding, cottage cheese pie and fluffy donuts with honey.

Coffee is considered the most famous drink in the UAE. Light Arabian coffee is especially popular, which every tourist who comes to this amazing country must try. After dinner it is customary to drink tea here. WITH alcoholic drinks There's a big problem here. They can only be purchased in hotel restaurants and bars.