ExploFood · Asia
What to eat in Saudi Arabia
Five dishes to try in Saudi Arabia, the most typical first. One is vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Saudi Arabia
Kabsa كبسة
Spiced rice cooked with chicken or lamb, topped with nuts and raisins.
How to have it: The national dish; served on a large shared platter, traditionally eaten with the right hand.
Mandi مندي
Lamb or chicken slow-cooked over rice in an underground pit oven.
How to have it: Head to a dedicated mandi restaurant with floor seating; order by half or whole chicken.
Saleeg سليق
Creamy white rice cooked in broth and milk, topped with chicken.
How to have it: A Hejaz speciality from Taif and Jeddah, comforting in the cooler months.
Mutabbaq مطبق
Thin folded pastry stuffed with minced meat, egg and leek, fried on a griddle.
How to have it: Street stalls in Jeddah and Makkah fry it to order in the evenings, especially in Ramadan.
Arabic coffee قهوة عربية
Lightly roasted coffee spiced with cardamom, served in tiny cups.
How to have it: Offered with dates as a welcome; shake the cup gently when you have had enough.
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Questions
What food is Saudi Arabia famous for?
Kabsa (spiced rice cooked with chicken or lamb, topped with nuts and raisins) comes first on our list, followed by Mandi, Saleeg, Mutabbaq and Arabic coffee.
What is the national dish of Saudi Arabia?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Saudi Arabia is Kabsa: spiced rice cooked with chicken or lamb, topped with nuts and raisins. The national dish; served on a large shared platter, traditionally eaten with the right hand.
Which dishes in Saudi Arabia are vegetarian?
One of the five on this page is vegetarian as usually made: Arabic coffee. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Saudi Arabia?
Mutabbaq (thin folded pastry stuffed with minced meat, egg and leek, fried on a griddle).
What do people drink in Saudi Arabia?
Arabic coffee: lightly roasted coffee spiced with cardamom, served in tiny cups.
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Tick off every dish you try in Saudi Arabia
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.