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#gulf cuisine

A bowl of thick white homemade laban with a spoon resting beside it.
Food & Drink

How to Make Laban at Home: A Guide to the Gulf's Creamy Yoghurt

Laban, the thick and tangy yoghurt that accompanies nearly every Gulf meal, is surprisingly simple to make at home. Learn the traditional method and how to use it in everyday cooking.

Traditional Omani shuwa preparation site with a mound of sand covering an underground oven, banana leaves and glowing embers nearby
Food & Drink

Shuwa: A Guide to Oman's Slow-Cooked Festive Lamb

Discover shuwa, the Omani celebration dish of spiced lamb or goat slow-cooked in an underground sand oven for up to two days, and how to enjoy it like a local.

A small bowl of frothy hilba dip garnished with herbs
Food & Drink

Hilba: A Guide to the Gulf's Whipped Fenugreek Dip

Discover hilba, the frothy fenugreek dip that adds a bitter, earthy kick to Gulf meals, and learn how to make it at home.

A bowl of creamy harees topped with ghee, served with bread
Culture

Harees: The Gulf's Hearty Porridge of Celebration and Comfort

Harees is a slow-cooked wheat and meat dish that holds a special place in Gulf cuisine, served during Ramadan, Eid and weddings. Learn about its preparation, cultural meaning and how to enjoy it.

Fresh whole hammour fish displayed on crushed ice at a local fish market
Food & Drink

Hammour: A Guide to the Gulf's Favourite Fish

Hammour, the prized grouper of Gulf waters, is a staple on dinner tables from Kuwait to Oman. Learn why it is so beloved, how it is cooked, and the best ways to enjoy it.

A traditional Gulf sayadiyah dish with golden rice topped with fried fish and caramelised onions on a ceramic platter
Food & Drink

Sayadiyah: A Guide to the Gulf's Fisherman's Rice

Discover sayadiyah, the comforting spiced rice and fish dish that has been a staple of Gulf and Red Sea coastal kitchens for generations.

A bowl of thareed stew with layered bread and meat
Food & Drink

Thareed: The Gulf's Hearty Bread and Meat Stew, Explained

A comforting dish of torn flatbread soaked in rich broth with tender meat and vegetables, thareed is a staple across the Arabian Peninsula.

A bowl of harees topped with ghee and cinnamon
Food & Drink

Harees: The Slow-Cooked Wheat and Meat Dish of the Gulf

Discover harees, a comforting porridge-like dish made from wheat and meat, traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan and festive occasions across the Arab Gulf.

A traditional Gulf sweet dish made from flour, topped with nuts
Food & Drink

Khabees: A Guide to the Gulf's Sweet Flour Dessert

Discover khabees, a traditional sweet dish from the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring Gulf states, often enjoyed during Ramadan and Eid.

A small bowl of saffron threads on a wooden table.
Food & Drink

Saffron in Gulf Cooking: How to Use the Golden Spice

Saffron, the golden spice of Gulf kitchens, adds colour, aroma and a subtle floral note to rice dishes, sweets and drinks. Here's how to choose, store and use it.

Whole fish grilling over charcoal
Food & Drink

Samak Mashwi: A Guide to Gulf Grilled Fish

From whole hamour to butterflied safi, grilling fresh fish over charcoal is a beloved Gulf tradition. Here's what to know about local varieties, simple marinades and the technique that gives the fish its smoky edge.

A plate of muhammar rice, dark amber in colour, garnished with fried fish and a few date pieces on the side.
Food & Drink

Muhammar: The Gulf's Sweet Saffron Rice That Loves Fish

Sweet, sticky and gently aromatic, muhammar is the Gulf's caramelised rice of choice with fried fish, grilled meat and festive spreads.

A bowl of Margoog stew with vegetables and flat dough pieces
Food & Drink

Margoog: A Guide to the Gulf's Comforting Vegetable and Dough Stew

Discover Margoog, the hearty Gulf stew made with thin dough pieces, vegetables and tender meat — a beloved dish for family meals and Ramadan iftars.

A large platter of golden spiced rice topped with roasted chicken, nuts and fried onions
Food & Drink

Machboos and Kabsa: A Friendly Guide to the Gulf's Favourite Spiced Rice

From Kuwait to Muscat, a fragrant platter of spiced rice and meat sits at the heart of family meals. Here is what goes into machboos and kabsa, and how to enjoy them.

Assorted dates of different colours piled in bowls at a market stall
Food & Drink

A Beginner's Guide to Gulf Dates: Varieties, Ripening Stages and How to Enjoy Them

From buttery Sukkari to dark, chewy Ajwa, here is how to tell the Gulf's favourite dates apart and get the most out of every box you buy.