Many countries worldwide have famous and popular cuisines, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with its rich history and social diversity distributed over a large area, also has its own popular and very tasty dishes. Because of this, restaurants serving Saudi food have spread inside Saudi Arabia and even in various countries frequented by Arab and Gulf tourists.
It should be noted that each region in Saudi Arabia has its famous food; therefore, the favorite dishes in Saudi Arabia are distributed to the different areas and provinces. To enjoy the complete pleasure and flavor of the distinctive Saudi food, you need to eat it with the skilled hands of the country’s people. Therefore, pay a tourist visit to this large and generous country, tour some of its excellent popular restaurants, enjoy the most delicious cuisine from Saudi restaurants serving the most delicious famous cuisine, and enjoy the unparalleled Arab hospitality there.
Before talking about the distinctive Saudi dishes, we will mention to you a list of these popular and famous dishes:
1- Kapsa
2- Mufattah
3- Sleeg
4- Metazeez
5- Jareesh
6- Mashboos Al-Semak
7- Kleeja
1- Kapsa
Kapsa is the most famous and popular Saudi dish, and this dish is considered one of the most sought-after dishes throughout the Saudi region. It is made from basmati rice, meat, vegetables, and spices. Kapsa spices are the main ingredient, giving the kabs its distinctive, delicious taste. Various spices are added to the capsule, including black pepper, caraway, saffron, cinnamon, cloves, dried lemon, bay leaf, and nutmeg. Any meat can cook kappa, including lamb, beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, or camel meat. A ready-made seasoning mixture can also be purchased for cooking kappa, which shortens the preparation time, but the taste of kappa may not be the same as traditional kappa.
When cooking kappa so that it takes on a piquant taste and mouth-watering flavor, in addition to needing a skilled hand in cooking, she needs high-quality rice and valuable and well-mixed spices, and the meat should be stewed and ripe. They are served hot with sauces or marinades with different flavors.
2- Mufattah
Saudi Mufattah is a popular dish in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is one of the main dishes served at weddings and significant events. Mufattah is also known in other Arab Gulf countries, such as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Mufattah consists of grilled lamb with rice and spices. The lamb is cut into large pieces and then seasoned with spices for mutton. Then, the meat is placed in a large pot called “Mandi” with rice and cooked on low heat for several hours until the meat is cooked and the rice absorbs the flavor.
Serve Mufattah hot with pita bread and salads. It is one of the delicious and nutritious dishes that many people prefer in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf countries.
3- Sleeg
Sleeg has been a popular folk dish in the Hejaz and Taif regions of Saudi Arabia for many centuries. Boil is prepared from white rice with lamb or chicken meat, milk, tomato paste, spices from cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamom, coriander, and butter.
Cook the rice on low heat for several hours until the meat is cooked and the rice absorbs the flavor. Serve the Sleeg hot with pita bread and salads. It is one of the delicious and nutritious dishes that many people prefer in Saudi Arabia.
Sleep is one of the main dishes served on holidays and religious occasions in the Hijaz and Taif. It is one of the delicious and nutritious dishes that many people prefer in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf countries.
4- Metazeez
Metazeez is a famous Saudi meal consisting of small, elongated pieces of dough and lamb or beef, served with rich broth and vegetables. Metazeez is one of the main dishes in the Najd region of Saudi Arabia, and it is one of the delicious and nutritious dishes preferred by many people in Saudi Arabia.
Metazeez is prepared by cutting the dough into thin slices and adding them to the cooker, where the meat is cooked with broth and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. Metazeez is performed on many occasions, such as holidays, religious events, and social parties.
5- Jareesh
Jareesh is a famous Saudi dish, and people in Jordan and Palestine also eat it. It is prepared from crushed durum wheat called crushed luqmi, and meat broth, black pepper, cumin, and onions are added.
In Saudi Arabia, Jareesh is famous in the Najd region. Groats in Najd are prepared from durum wheat, broken into small pieces, and added to the meat broth with black pepper, cumin, and onions. Cook the groats until the grain is cooked and the broth thickens.
Serve groats with pita bread and garnish with fried onions and fresh mint. Groats can also be cooked with yogurt, which is very common. The Saudi Jareesh dish is delicious and nutrient-rich, one of the popular dishes accepted by people in Saudi Arabia.
6- Mashboos Al-Semak
Mashboos Al-Semak is a famous Saudi dish characterized by its delicious taste and nutritional benefits. The word consists of long-grain rice (basmati), spices, vegetables, and herbs with fish. Fish, the main ingredient in this meal, is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Mashboos Al-Semak is an easy-to-prepare dish that can be served at banquets and events. The word is cooked by frying the fish in oil and adding rice, spices, vegetables, and herbs. Simmer the dish over low heat until the rice and fish are cooked.
Mashboos Al-Semak is a tasty and healthy dish that will satisfy all tastes. It is one of the must-try dishes if you visit Saudi Arabia.
7- Kleeja
We will conclude the list with Kleeja, a popular dessert for which the region of Qassim and Hajd, Saudi Arabia, is famous. Kleeja is made from buckwheat stuffed with date molasses; cardamom and saffron are added. Molasses can be replaced with toffee. After that, the buckwheat is kneaded with molasses or toffee, cardamom, and saffron, and then the Kleeja is cut into different shapes.
Kleeja is a delicious and healthy dessert. They are a good source of dietary fiber and carbohydrates. They also contain antioxidants that protect the body from diseases. Kleeja can be served as a dessert dish at any time of the day. They are also distinctive dishes served on holidays and other occasions.
What we have presented to you of the dishes is only a sample; otherwise, the list is much more extensive than what we mentioned, and you only have to visit the distinctive popular restaurants to discover more delicious, outstanding Saudi food when you make a tourist visit to this large and ancient country.