Popular Emirati Food:

1. Machoobs (Majboos)

Machoobs is a famous rice dish in Emirati cuisine. It is known as the national dish of the UAE. It can be made with chicken, lamb, fish or shrimp. The rice is cooked with an array of fragrant spices.

Spiced rice is cooked in chicken or lamb broth and topped with toasted nuts and roasted chicken. It is served with a plate of fresh greens which are called roowaid and jarjeel in Emirati cuisine and pickled onions.

2. Harees

Harees is originated from the word ‘haras’ which means ‘to squish’ in Arabic language. The dish has a porridge like consistency. The locals have it for breakfast or dinner.

It is made with grounded wheat by soaking it with water overnight and then the meat is slow cooked in a pot. Lamb or chicken is used as the main choice of meat for the dish. Sometimes beef or mutton is used as well.

The dish is garnished with ghee or butter to enhance the flavor. It is topped with fried chicken pieces and fried onion.

3. Thareed

Thareed is a famous Emirati food. It is a slow cooked stew. Usually chicken or lamb broth is used for the base of the stew. Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and leeks are added to the soup.

It is served with a crispy and thin flatbread known as regag or khubz. This humble combination is known as the favorite food of the Islamic Prophet Muhammed.

4. Luqaimat

Luqaimat is a sweet dish which is unique to Emirati food. It is a dish in the texture of sweet dumplings which is served for desert. They are made with flour, yogurt, milk powder, yeast and spices such as cardamom and saffron.

The bite size balls are deep fried in oil till they are of golden color. The dish is covered in rosewater syrup and garnished with nuts. It is served with date syrup, chocolate or honey. Traditional Luqaimat is served with stuffed cream cheese.

5. Balaleet

Balaleet is a traditional breakfast dish in the region. The locals have it as a dessert as well. The dish is served as the first meal of the day during the fasting period of Eid al –Fitr.

The base of the dish is vermicelli noodles. It is flavored with saffron, cardamom and rose water. It is a unique combination with noodles sweetened with sugar and topped with savory fried egg omelette.

Sauteed onions and potatoes are sometimes offered as a side dish for Balaleet.

6. Madrooba

Madrooba is a dish with porridge like consistency. It is served during special occasions such as Ramdan and during Winter. It is made by slow cooking rice, wheat or oats.

A mixture of chicken, lamb or fish is added to the mixture with a combination of heavy spices such as cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and dried lime.

The dish is garnished with melted ghee, fried onions, fresh herbs and fresh citrus. It is served with Arabic flatbread known as khubz, fresh and crunchy salads and samboosah which are crispy pastries.

7. Jasheed

Jesheed is a traditional Emirati dish. It is a dish made with boiled and minced baby shark meat. It is cooked with garlic, onions and an array of spices such as dried black lemon, saffron, turmeric and cumin.

It is made with a balanced and simple flavor combination to make the main ingredient stand out. It is served with white rice or flatbread. It is considered as a main dish during National Day Celebrations and other cultural events.

8. Regag Bread

Regag bread is a very thin flatbread. It is a breakfast dish and a snack.

It is a crispy bread made with flour, water and salt. It is served with honey, cheese or eggs.

9. Khameer Bread

Khameer bread is a soft traditional sweet bread which is unique in Emirati food. It is known for the fluffy texture. It is baked with a dough of flour, sugar, yeast and milk.

It has the rich aroma of spices such as saffron and cardamom. The freshly baked bread is topped with sesame or cumin seeds.

10. Gahwa (Arabic Coffee)

Arabic Coffee is known as Gahwa. It is a symbol of Arabic hospitality and it is listed in the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2015.

Traditional Arabic coffee is made from lightly roasted Arabic coffee beans. It is mixed with saffron, cardamom and cloves to infuse the unique flavor.

A special coffee pot named Dallah is used to brew it.

11. Chebab Pancakes

Chebab Pancakes is a traditional Emirati dish. It is a sweet bread which is consumed for breakfast. The pancakes are made with flour, milk, sugar, eggs and yeast. Cardamom and saffron powder is added to make it fragrant.

The fluffy pancakes are served with date syrup. Cream cheese and honey is also served with the pancakes.

12. Fouga Deyay

Fouga Deyay is a chicken and rice dish which is served as a centerpiece during traditional celebrations.

It is a rice based dish. Chicken is marinated and seasoned with saffron, cinnamon and cardamom and grilled to enhance the flavor.

The cooked meat is served over flavored yellow rice and mixed with raisins and almonds for the crunchy texture.

13. Margoogat

Margoogat is a traditional stew. It is made with as a hearty dish with a rich and savory flavor profile.

It is made with tender meat such as chicken or lamb. Hand rolled pieces of dough is added to the rich tomato broth together with vegetables such as carrot, potatoes and zucchini.

14. Salona

Salona is a traditional Emirati food. It is a stew that can be served for lunch or dinner. It is a tomato based stew and it is known as a comfort food for the rich consistency. It can be made with chicken, lamb, fish or beef.

The meat is sautéed with spices and onions and then a tomato paste is added. The main flavor enhancer for the dish is dried black lime together with spices such as red chilies, cardamom, turmeric, cumin and coriander leaves.

15. Date Syrup

Date Syrup is the most unique ingredient which is used in Emirati cuisine.

It is made by pressing and simmering ripe dates and straining the liquid. The extracted juice is reduced to thick syrup by boiling.

16. Saloona Samak

Saloona is a traditional fish stew. It is a tomato based stew and it is known as a comfort food for the rich consistency. It can be served for lunch or dinner.

Fish is simmered with spices and onions and then a tomato paste and onion is added. Then various spices such red chillies, cardamom, turmeric, cumin and coriander leaves are added to the tomato based broth with vegetables.

17. Batheetha

Batheetha is a desert. It is sweet, dish which is made without baking.

It is made with roasted whole wheat flour, ghee, mashed dates and spices. It can be served as balls made with the mixture or as crumbs.

18. Khanfaroosh

Khanfaroosh is served as a dessert and a snack for afternoon tea, family gatherings or brunches. It is a deep fried pancake.

The dish is made with beaten eggs, sugar and flour. Spices such as saffron, cardamom and rose water are added to the mixture to enhance flavor.

The dish is usually served warm with dusted icing sugar on the top. It is paired with coffee or tea.

19. Fattoush Emirati Style

Fattoush is a local salad. It is served as a side dish for lunch and dinner.

Fresh ingredients such as pomegranate, cucumber, lettuce, purslane, tomatoes and radish are used for this tangy and crispy salad. It is topped with a sumac and olive oil for the tangy and lemon for the zesty flavor combination.

The salad is served with deep fried or baked pita bread.

20. Camel Meat Dishes

Camel is a locally sourced meat in the Arabic region. There are a range of unique dishes made with camel which are native to Emirati Cuisine.

Camel Biriyani, Camel Machboos and Stuffed Baby Camel can be considered as the traditional dishes which get the spotlight. Camel Burgers is the modern dish which has gained fame among the travellers.

The traditional dishes are often served during special occasions such as cultural festivals and weddings.