NAMES OF ARABIC DISHES: ""What's that stuff called that I like?"" Top 5 Page for this destination Dubai Restaurant Tip by JessH

You shouldn't miss out on trying some Arabic specialities whilst you're here, but I understand that everyone has their limits when it comes to being adventurous with food (even when I used to eat meat, I never touched things like brain-salad!)

Arabic food in the UAE is heavily influenced by cooking-styles of Lebanon, Eygpt & India. So depending on the restaurant, the same dishes could slightly vary in flavour & ingredients.

Here are some of the most common Arabic foods you'll see on a menu:

BABA GHANOUSH:
Vegetarian Dip of char-grilled eggplant mixed with tahina, olive oil, lemon juice & garlic puree.

BAKLAWA: (Baklava)
This is THE typical Arabic dessert; love it or hate it (it's far too sweet for me) Layered pastry filled with nuts & steeped in honey-lemon syrup - usually cut into triangular or diamond shapes.

BURGHUL: (Bulghur wheat, Bulgar)
Parboiled & dried wheat kernels processed into grain, used in salads & meat dishes.

CHAI:
Arabic Tea; usually black tea with lots of sugar & fresh mint leaves.

(CHEESE) MANAKISH or MANAEESH:
Arabic bread with melted cheese topping. Also available with meat or herbs.

FALAFEL:
Vegetarian small deep-fried balls made of spiced ground chickpeas... yummy!

FATAYER:
Pastry pockets filled with spinach, meat or cheese (ask about the filling)

FATTOUSH:
This is your regular Arabic green (vegetarian)
salad of toasted croutons, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes & mint.

FOUL: (Foul Medammes)
Slow-cooked mash of brown beans & red lentils, dressed with lemon, olive oil & cumin... if you love beans, this is the dish for you! Can sometimes also contain meat or a fried egg.

GAHWA: (Kahwa) Arabic Coffee.

HALWA:
Dessert: Sweet sesame paste, usually made in a slab & studded with fruit & nuts (can also be bought in containers in the supermarket)

Favorite Dish: HAMMOUR:
Red Sea fish of the grouper family & most commonly used fish in the UAE. More info here.

HOMMOUS:
The most famous Arabic dip! Vegetarian puree of chickpeas, tahina, lemon & garlic - grab some Arabic bread and dip-away!

KEBAB: Skewered meat or fish cooked over charcoal.

KIBBEH: Oval-shaped nuggets of ground lamb & burghul.

KOSHARI:
Vegetarian dish of pasta, rice & lentils with onions, chillies & tomato paste.

KOFTA:
Balls or a flat cake of minced meat & spices, baked or charcoal-grilled on skewers.

LABAN:
Tangy-tasting sour milk drink (drinking yoghurt) widely used in cooking or as a refreshing drink.

MEZZE: (Mezzah) The Arabic word for Appetiser.

SHAWERMA (click on photo)
This is the true Arabic name & version of a "doner kebab": A cone of pressed lamb, chicken or beef roasted on a vertical spit where the meat is shaved off from the outside as the spit keeps turning. It's then packed into Arabic bread together with lettuce, onions & tahina.

SHISH TAOUK: Skewered chicken pieces cooked over charcoal.

TABBOULEH:
Vegetarian salad of burghul, tomato, shredded mint & parsley (really gets stuck in your teeth, but it's very refreshing & healthy!)

TAHINA: An oily paste made from ground sesame seeds.

UMM ALI:
Translated it means "Ali's mother" - this is the Arabic version of a bread & butter pudding, made from Arabic bread soaked in hot milk with coconut, raisins, honey & sometimes nuts... I love it - it's delicious.

ZATTAR:
Blend of spices including oregano, thyme, marjoram & salt (often used in salads, or sprinkled onto cheesy Arabic bread)

--> Traditionally you will be given a lot of fresh mint leaves & salad with your meal. Arabs chew on the mint throughout and after the meal to freshen their breath & to aid digestion.

Address: All over town!
Comparison: N/A
Directions: Some good restaurants are:
AUTOMATIC REST. (various outlets)
EAT & DRINK REST. (various outlets)
REEM AL BAWARDI (Jumeirah Beach Road)
YAHALA (in Karama) - see my seperate restaurant TIP.
KANZAMAN (in Bur Dubai) - see my seperate restaurant TIP.
Price: N/A
Rating: 5
Theme: Local