Saudi cuisine: dishes every visitor should try
Key takeaways
- Kabsa is the best-known national dish
- Each region has its own specialities
- Sharing food is central to hospitality
Saudi cuisine is generous and built around sharing. Meals bring families and guests together, and hospitality often starts with food.
Dishes to try
- Kabsa: spiced rice with chicken or lamb, the most famous Saudi dish
- Jareesh: cracked wheat cooked with meat and spices
- Saleeg: creamy rice cooked in broth and milk, popular in the Hijaz
- Mutabbaq: stuffed, pan-fried pastry sold as street food
- Harees: wheat and meat cooked slowly, popular during Ramadan
- Masoub: banana, bread and honey, a southern favourite
Dining etiquette
- Eat and pass dishes with your right hand
- Your host may keep offering food: it is a sign of generosity
- Food in the Kingdom is halal, and alcohol is not served
Frequently asked questions
What is the national dish of Saudi Arabia?
Kabsa is widely considered the national dish.
Is Saudi food spicy?
It is fragrant rather than very hot, using spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black lime.
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