Unlock these 35 mouth-watering Arabian foods we’ve found from around the web, ranging from savory meat-based meals to luscious desserts.
Arabian foods are something that only a few people know.
That makes sense since they’re different from what you get to eat every day.
You may have tried Italian, Indian, Chinese, and many other types of food — but Arabian cuisine is entirely different.
They are bursting with flavor and spices.
Eating Arabian food, however, is not just about its taste but also about the beautiful combination of flavors you experience.
And it’s more than just tasty: it’s a unique feast for all your senses.
Whether it’s traditional pieces like Kibbeh, Dolmas, and Fatayer or modern classics like Falafel, Shawarma, or Kabsa–the Arab region has something distinctive to offer for every palate.
But we recommend trying #33.
It’s so good!
There’s nothing like it, and you’ll never look at Arabian food the same way again once you’ve tasted it.
1. Pita Bread
Pita Bread is a beautiful thing.
It’s pillowy and soft, with a seductive smell that wafts through the air you baked it.
Plus, when it’s hot, it’s puffy and warm, and you can split it easily and stuff it with whatever you please: hummus, labneh, stews, or dips.
Shorbet Adas, or Arabic lentil soup, is a thick and slightly chunky soup with a savory taste that has a flavor boost from a hint of spices.
Adding pureed lentils thickens it, and ginger gives it depth and bite.
Serve it warm with warm pita bread.
Cheese Sambusak is the kind of pastry you’ll want to eat every day.
It’s savory.
And it’s similar to hand pies.
It also has a salty, medium-soft, and herby, cheesy filling.
On top of that, it’s got seeds that add a nice crunch to the coating.
Seriously, it’s like eating your favorite cheesy pizza in handheld form—and it’s even better when you make it at home.
6. Harees
Harees is a delicious and hearty dish.
You can make it with wheat and chicken or sometimes with boneless lamb meat.
The consistency is somewhere between porridge and gruel.
And it is specially made daily during Ramadan.
Harees also has minimal spices, so you don’t need to worry about overpowering flavors—it’s light enough to enjoy on its own but filling enough that you won’t feel hungry for hours afterward.
This hummus will make you stop and stare.
It has a smooth, creamy texture that’s nutty and garlicky, and it’s topped with butter-like flavored pine nuts and spiced ground beef.
This one’s going to be your new go-to appetizer for parties—or even just for a night in with friends.
8. Ful Medames
You’ve got to try Ful Medames!
Ful medames is a typical Arabian breakfast, and it is SO GOOD.
The flavors are rich and vibrant, loaded with seasonings that pack a bold, tangy flavor into each bite.
It’s creamy and earthy, yet savory at the same time.
And it’s usually served with pita bread.
Muhammara is a dip like no other.
It’s sweet and smoky, nutty and tangy, with just the right amount of spice to tickle your tongue—all at once.
Besides, it’s great on mezze platters.
But it also makes a tasty snack on its own, served with crackers or pita bread.
10. Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a dish that will captivate you with its rich and earthy spices and hold you in its grip with its sharp, briny feta cheese.
The name comes from the Arabic word “all mixed up,” which perfectly describes this dish’s rich umami taste.
And yes, it sounds a bit complicated.
But it’s simply poached eggs in a smoky, tangy tomato and pepper sauce flavored with cumin and paprika.
Chicken Fatteh With Chickpeas is such a powerhouse dish!
It’s made up of a crispy pile of golden brown toasted pita bread, yogurt, shredded chicken, and chickpeas.
And it’s creamy, garlicky, refreshingly zesty, and full of texture.
Salatat Jarjeer is a simple salad that bursts with flavor.
The rocca or arugula is peppery and has a strong bite, while the dressing is sour and tangy with lingering floral notes from sumac.
And the white onion adds texture.
Put in some pomegranate arils for some tartness to balance it all out.
13. Tabbouleh
There’s something about the taste of Tabbouleh that just draws you in.
It’s got a natural tang from the freshly squeezed lemon juice and tomatoes.
It’s loaded with fresh parsley, which adds a bit of green, earthy flavor to the dish.
And it’s got a nutty flavor from the bulgur wheat.
It also has cool mint leaves and crunchy red onion—it’s such an all-around delectable experience.
14. Fattoush
Fattoush is a salad that screams vibrance, with just the right amount of tanginess to keep it interesting.
The name “fattoush” means “crumbs” in Arabic—and it explains the pita chips add a nice touch of texture and crunch to this dish.
Finally, there’s a dressing made from lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac that gives this salad its bright and slightly sour flavor profile.
Pour it over everything else in the bowl, so everything gets coated with its yummy goodness.
Batata Harra are like patatas bravas, but with a twist.
They’re loaded with fresh herbs and spices, which makes them a little more exotic than the Spanish classic.
The potatoes are boiled until they’re tender and soft inside.
Then they’re tossed in a pan with garlic, herbs, and spices.
Make it as mild or spicy as you like by using more or less red pepper flakes.
Cheese Manakish is a thin, golden, crispy flatbread that’s topped with a smattering of cheese and nigella seeds.
It’s referred to as manakeesh, manaqish, and manoush in Middle Eastern cuisine.
And it’s easy to make at home, so you can enjoy it whenever you want—whether it’s for breakfast or dinner.
If you’ve never had a ka’ak before, you’re in for a treat.
Ka’ak is a soft and chewy Arabian flatbread with a crispy exterior that tastes like a bagel.
It’s made with simple ingredients and gets stuffed with all sorts of delicious stuff gets like za’atar, turmeric, and nigella seeds.
The result is a flavor explosion of sweet, slightly sweet, and savory that will make you want to eat your entire piece (or maybe two) in one sitting.
Fatayer is a savory stuffed pie made with thin and buttery dough.
It’s incredibly versatile, too—you can make it with almost any kind of filling you want!
You can put in cheese, meat, or spinach as the stuffing and eat it as a snack or appetizer.
All of them are equally appetizing, so there is no need to worry.
Whatever you choose, it will always taste good.
19. Falafel
Falafel is a crunchy, savory, slightly spicy delight.
It has a grainy taste and mildly spiced and herbaceous flavor consisting of garlic and delicious spices like cumin, coriander, and parsley.
Serve it on a salad or with tahini for the best experience!
Arayes are so sumptuous that you’ll want to eat them all the time.
They’re juicy, a little spicy, and totally meaty.
And you’ll want to pair them with something on the fresh side, like fattoush or tabbouleh.
But if you’re feeling extra, go ahead and try them with something creamy like hummus —it’ll be worth it.
21. Sfiha
Sfiha is a tasty street food made from thin, leavened dough with a spicy, savory meat mixture on top.
Pine nuts and fresh parsley are added to the dough before serving for an extra layer of flavor.
So, give this recipe a shot if you’re looking for some fantastic pizza options!
Bite into one of these goodies, and you’ll feel like you’ve been to the Arabian Peninsula.
The dolmas have a distinct lemony flavor.
The grape leaves themselves have a mild tangy taste—not dissimilar to collard greens, and the filling has a herby rice mixture in it.
Enjoy them all with a garlicky yogurt sauce.
A good wrap is hard to beat, especially when you get to stuff it with sumac chicken and caramelized onions.
It’s incredible!
I mean, think about it: the tartness of the sumac and the punchy sweetness of the caramelized onions.
They’re like made for each other!
And then there’s that crunchy exterior—so good!
This recipe is a keeper.
24. Kibbeh
Kibbeh, the Arabian football-shaped croquette made of lamb or beef, is a tasty treat you can’t miss.
They’re crispy on the outside, with a succulent meaty filling inside.
And they’ve loaded with flavor thanks to aromatic herbs, juicy meat, and hearty bulgur.
This one is a must-try dish!
Vermicelli rice is a delicious dish that combines the nutty flavor of pine nuts with basmati rice, vermicelli pasta, and chicken stock.
The vermicelli pasta is fried until golden brown, then added to the rice and liquid.
The result is an aromatic, fragrant dish that will delight your palate.
The taste of this dish is very similar to paella, but it’s less spicy and has a lighter, more delicate flavor.
It’s also much easier to make!
As soon as you try Shish Tawook, you’ll realize how tender, juicy, and flavorful the chicken is. You’ll swear there’s some magic involved.
But there isn’t any magic at all—just simple ingredients like yogurt, lemon juice, and spices that come together to create this luscious blend infused into the meat itself.
The garlic adds some zingy bite, while the lemon gives it an extra burst of brightness and sweetness.
And then there’s the flatbread.
Oh, the flatbread!
It soaks up all those savory chicken juices, making it so irresistible.
If you love eggplant, then this is the dish for you.
But if you’re not, it’ll change your mind.
Eggplant Kebab With Tahini has all the deliciousness of kebab but with an extra twist: tahini.
The hummus-like sesame seed paste is drizzled over the kebab and adds a nutty element to this savory treat.
Plus, it’s wrapped in flatbread and filled with spices, crunchy salad, and creamy hummus.
It tastes so good that you won’t want to stop eating.
Get your hands on Kabsa if you’re looking for an exotic new dish.
Kabsa is a mouthwatering, one-pan dish made of chicken simmered in a spicy tomato broth and layers of aromatic spices.
It smells lemony and spicy—and tastes even better than it smells.
This is definitely a great choice when you want something simple yet flavorful.
29. Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Shawarma is an Arabian food that’s normally wrapped up in a pita and served with garlic yogurt and pickled vegetables.
It has a complex and unique flavor that’s tangy and spicy.
And once you bite into that tender, juicy chicken meat, you’ll know it’s special.
30. Kofta Kebab
Kofta Kebab is a lot of things.
It’s a beautiful blend of minced meat seasoned with many different herbs and spices, then cooked on a grill.
It’s succulent, flavorful, and not too springy or chewy—just right.
And it has a bold and fresh taste, thanks to the abundant use of herbs and earthy Middle Eastern spices.
Al Faham is a dish that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a desert.
And the best thing about it?
It’s not just delectable—it tastes like any chicken you’ve ever tried!
It’s the perfect combination of spices, so it has that deep rich, umami flavor and aroma you’d expect from a dish hailing from the Middle East.
It’s soft and tender, and it absorbs all those spices without getting tough or dry.
Al Faham is best served with rice, but try it on its own if you want to taste what makes this dish unique.
Instant Pot Middle Eastern Lamb Stew will have you feeling like you’re eating in a fancy, expensive restaurant but without all the fuss and expense.
It starts with tender lamb that has been slow-cooked in an aromatic broth until it practically falls apart.
Then it’s finished off with chickpeas and fragrant spices that add depth, warmth, and an exotic flair.
The spices and apricots melt into the sauce, but the chickpeas keep their shape, adding texture to this delicate dish.
The sweetness from the honey and dried fruits also balance out the vinegar in the recipe.
It’s amazing how well this recipe comes together and how quickly it disappears because it’s that good.
If you’re looking for a dish that’ll make your taste buds go wild, mansaf is the one.
It’s a traditional Arabic yogurt-based lamb dish with three distinct layers that make it taste incredible: the thin flatbread, the delicious, cooked turmeric rice put on top of the bread, and the tasty, homemade yogurt sauce on top.
The rice soaks up the creamy sour yogurt sauce, which gives this dish a distinct fermented and salty flavor.
However, what makes Mansaf special is its tender lamb flavored with a cardamom and cumin spice blend that matches nicely with crunchy nuts and moist rice.
34. Thareed
Thareed is an Arabian dish that’s like a more robust version of a stew.
It’s spicy, rich, and super popular to eat during Ramadan.
The sauce is thick because it’s made from blended tomatoes and tomato paste—and it’s served over flatbread.
It’s also a comfort food for many people in the Middle East.
Sayadieh is a classic rice and fish dish popular in the Arab region.
It’s hearty, showstopping, and, most importantly, flavorful.
Consisting of fried white fish meat, fluffy spiced rice, caramelized onions, and a creamy tahini salad—it’s a seafood meal fit for any occasion.
As a bonus, it’s so easy to make, but it looks like it took hours!
The bottom line
Arabian cuisine is amazing, and you should take advantage of this.
So, the next time you get a craving for a juicy kebab, or some fragrant lamb, remember just how lucky you are because you have this list of fantastic Arabian foods.
In fact, some of these dishes are so popular that their reach even extends across the world to America.
And why not?
Once you’ve tried some of these scrumptious Arabian foods, you’ll be eager to share them with everyone you know.
Best Arabian Foods
Unlock these 35 best Arabian foods we’ve found from around the web, ranging from savory meat-based meals to luscious desserts.
Ingredients
- Pita Bread
- Labneh
- Shorbet Adas (Arabic Lentil Soup)
- Shurpa (Lamb Soup)
- Cheese Sambusak (Cheese Pastry Pie)
- Harees
- Hummus With Pine Nuts & Ground Beef
- Ful Medames
- Muhammara (Roasted Red Bell Pepper Dip)
- Shakshuka
- Chicken Fatteh With Chickpeas
- Salatat Jarjeer (Rocket Salad)
- Tabbouleh
- Fattoush
- Batata Harra (Middle Eastern Spicy Potatoes)
- Cheese Manakish (Cheese Flatbread)
- Ka'ak With Za’atar, Turmeric & Nigella Seed
- Fatayer (Arabic Pies)
- Falafel
- Arayes (Meat-Filled Pita Pockets)
- Sfiha
- Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
- Musakhan Wrap (Sumac Chicken & Caramelized Onion Wraps)
- Kibbeh
- Vermicelli Rice (Arabic Rice)
- Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
- Eggplant Kebab With Tahini
- Kabsa (Arabic Chicken & Rice)
- Chicken Shawarma
- Kofta Kebab
- Al Faham (Grilled Arabian Chicken)
- Instant Pot Middle Eastern Lamb Stew
- Mansaf (Yogurt Lamb & Rice)
- Thareed
- Sayadieh (Arabic Fish & Rice)
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Arabian Foods list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- Start cooking and make us proud!