Hello friends,
Food in Saudi Arabia is not only about eating, it is about family, culture, and sharing. In our tradition, meals are big, and they bring everyone together. When you visit Saudi, you will see that food is always connected with hospitality. If you come to someone’s home, they will offer you dates and Arabic coffee first. This is small gesture, but it mean welcome, you are guest, you are respected.
The most famous dish is kabsa – rice cooked with lamb or chicken, with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Every family has their own way to make kabsa, some add raisins, some add nuts. It is usually served on big tray, and everyone sit around and eat together. In many homes, people eat with the right hand, not with spoon, because it feel more traditional. Camel (Hashi) is very common and extremely delicious!
Another important food is bread – we have many types, like tamees (flat bread baked in hot oven), samoon (small rolls), and khubz (round bread). Bread is always on the table, used to scoop rice or dip in sauces.
Dates are very special. In Madinah, we have Ajwa dates, which are famous and very sweet. Dates are eaten with coffee, or sometimes stuffed with nuts. In Ramadan, dates are the first food we eat to break the fast.
We also love jareesh, which is cracked wheat cooked slowly with meat and spices. It is soft, almost like porridge, and very comforting. Another dish is margoog, made with dough pieces cooked in broth with vegetables and lamb. It is heavy but delicious, especially in winter.
Saleeg is another favorite – white rice cooked with milk and chicken, very creamy. It is often served with fried onions on top. In Hijaz region, people love saleeg, and it is always on the table for special occasions.
For sweets, we have kunafa, shredded pastry with cheese or cream, soaked in syrup. Also basbousa, semolina cake with sugar and rose water. These are popular in all Arab countries, but in Saudi they are always part of celebrations.
🫖 Traditional Drinks
Food is never complete without drinks. In Saudi, we have:
- Arabic coffee (qahwa): light coffee boiled with cardamom, sometimes saffron. Always served in small cups with dates.
- Mint tea: black tea with fresh mint leaves, very refreshing after heavy meal.
- Laban: cold yogurt drink, salty and sour, perfect in hot weather.
- Karak tea: strong tea with milk and spices, popular in Gulf region and also in Saudi.
🍛 How to Make Kabsa (Rana’s Way)
Many people ask me how we cook kabsa at home. Every family has small differences, but here is simple way:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 whole chicken (cut in pieces), lamb, or Camel
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- Spices: cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves, black lime (loomi), bay leaf, turmeric, cumin (Or buy Kabsa Spice Mix)
- Salt and pepper
- Raisins and nuts (optional)
Steps:
- Wash rice and soak for 30 minutes.
- In big pot, fry onion and garlic until golden.
- Add chicken pieces and brown them.
- Add tomatoes and spices, cook until soft.
- Add water, cover, and let chicken cook.
- Remove chicken, keep broth.
- Add rice to broth, cook until rice is soft.
- Put rice on big tray, place chicken on top.
- Garnish with raisins and nuts if you like.
This is kabsa – simple but full of flavor. Best when eaten together with family.
🍽️ How Saudis Traditionally Eat
In Saudi homes, food is often served on the floor, not on table. A big cloth or carpet is spread, and the dishes are placed in the center. Everyone sit around, cross-legged, and eat together. Shoes are always removed before sitting, because it is sign of respect and cleanliness.
Eating with the right hand is tradition, and usually people share from one big tray instead of having separate plates. It feel very communal, everyone reaching in, talking, laughing.
You will even see this style in some restaurants. Many have “family area” upstairs, where food is served in private rooms. Families sit on the floor, just like at home, and enjoy meal together. For visitors, it can feel unusual, but it is very authentic Saudi experience.
Cooking is something I love. I learned from my mother and grandmoter, watching them in the kitchen when I was young. She always told me, “Food is not only taste, it is love you give to your family.” In our home we have domestic helper, but still I like to cook myself, especially when I want to make something special for my children or guests.
Friday dinners at my mother’s house are always big feast. Rice, lamb, chicken, salads, soup, and of course tea after. My brothers and their families come, and the table is full. This tradition is very strong in Saudi – family eating together, sharing stories, laughing.
🌸 Personal note: Even though I love Saudi food, in my home we also make food from all over the world. Sometimes Italian pasta, sometimes Indian curry, sometimes even sushi! My kids like to try new flavors, and I think it is nice to mix tradition with modern. It make our table more colorful, and it show that Saudi life today is connected with the world.
Sending you peace, Rana
