Saudi Arabia – My Hilarious Yet Strange Culinary Journey 2024

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a land of holy cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites. When I landed in this country, I was ready for an adventure. I expected the desert, the camel, and the heat, but not the wild culinary ride ahead. If you are planning an Umrah 2025 or a holiday trip to KSA and want to explore the craziest foods in the country, stick to this article for a list of the best and strangest meals.

1- Camel Hump

Camel Hump was the first Saudi bizarre dish that I encountered at a local festival with my friends. When I heard its name, I thought it was a joke. I mean, who eats camel hump? But the dish was exactly what it sounded like. Before you roll your eyes and say, “Wait, Camel?” let me tell you that it was no less than a luxury buffet. When placed on the table, it seemed to brag, “Look at me! I am the star of the show”.

As I took its first bite, I felt the tender and slightly gelatinous texture, which can’t be explained in words. With every chew, I thought, “I am eating a Camel Hump – wild but delicious.” My friends, who saw the bewildered look on my face, laughed and said that this royal dish is prepared for large events in the Saudi state.

When I finished the meal, my plate was clean and empty, resembling a battlefield. My face was an artwork of meat juices and satisfying grins. And yes, my friends were laughing at my enthusiastic eating, joking about what if I ate camel every day.

2- Muttabak

The next up was Muttabak, a stuffed, pan-fried flatbread with as many layers as a soap opera plot. My friends and I relished this tasty meal while walking through one of the crowded streets. A vendor came and handed us a hot, golden-brown parcel. I unwrapped it and found a deep-fried, stuffed pizza-like culinary.

When I first tasted it, I entered a world of amazing flavors. “Delicious! What have I placed in my mouth? Tell me the name of the dish?” that was the first question I asked after tasting the Muttabak. My friends watched me with barely controlled giggles and made jokes as if I were some alien. I tried to appear sophisticated while my taste buds were doing the cha-cha.

Every bite made me speechless, unlike the one whose favorite TV show is canceled. I was stunned because of the surprising taste of this strange dish. My mouth was watering, and Muttabak spices were dripping down my chin. My friends couldn’t resist the opportunity to poke fun at my condition. One said, “Look! He is having a Muttabak meltdown!” they even suggested I attend classes on learning how to eat this delicious dish.

Despite the comic chaos, I remained determined to master the art of Muttabak consumption. I devised a strategy, folded the bread, took a bite, and hoped for the best. Whenever I could gum it well, my friends lifted me up, and I felt like a champ. At the end of the meal, my face was smeared with the proof of my culinary battle, and my shirt had a few new spots as well. It was such a memorable culinary experience that I highly suggest everyone try this strange dish.

3- Jareesh

During my Saudi trip, I was introduced to Jareesh at one of the local restaurants.  It was another addition of the strange Saudi dishes to my culinary adventure. Apparently, it was a bowl filled with porridge and oatmeal. But in reality, it was something extraordinary. As I took my first spoonful, I realized it was essentially crushed wheat cooked with meat. Its creamy texture, an almost mushy concoction, seemed to defy my expectations of what a meal should be.

As I attempted to eat the dish, my friends watched me carefully, barely controlling their laughter. They made comments like, “He is trying to figure out whether he is having dinner or breakfast.”  Chewing through the soft, wheat-based mixture while distinguishing meat from spices was a challenging act for me. I was just like a toddler when I attempted to look sophisticated while eating Jareesh.

My friends, the jokesters, couldn’t resist teasing me at this spot as well. They declared me the “Jareesh connoisseur”. You know, one of my closest friends said to me, “Be careful, or I might end up with a Jareesh beard.” They even joked about me that I was giving a bear hug to the bowl. Their playful banter turned the whole culinary experience into a comedy show. I must say it was the dish for which I could survive anything, even my favorite Netflix show. Consuming this Saudi meal was hearty, comforting, and stuck to my ribs as an overly affectionate grandma.

4- Margoog

Margoog was a traditional Saudi stew featuring meat, vegetables, and a thick, chunky gravy. I tasted this bizarre dish while exploring other local cuisine during my Saudi trip. As soon as the steaming bowl was set before me, I was anxious to “feel” the taste. When I took my first mouthful, I got even more shocked and commented that ‘This is not our everyday soup.’

My friends were continuously watching my changing emotions. I was making exaggerated faces of concentration while balancing the chunky meat with the gravy. The meat was tender, and the vegetables added a delightful crunch, but the thick gravy was challenging. The dough soaks up the flavorful broth, creating a deliciously messy, slurp-worthy experience. They cracked jokes at me. One said, “Look at him! He is having some wrestle with the stew!” another teased me by saying, “Is he building a stew tower?” They even asked me if I needed a fork and a knife for the dish.

Though I tried hard to remain composed, the gravy was spread everywhere. My attempts to eat gracefully resulted in Margoog spots over my beard and shirt. My friend joked at the moment, “Margoog chic- wear it, don’t just eat it”. They also ribbed me about becoming the “Margoog muncher of the year”. I took this title with a huge laughter.

Later I became more adept at navigating the stew. Each spoonful became a little victory and by the end of the meal, I was full and satisfied. To me, Margoog was a messy dish that resulted when stew and pasta had a wild night together. If you ever encounter this delicious dish, I suggest you embrace the mess and enjoy the hearty flavors. Don’t be surprised if your friends call you the “Stew King” after your culinary escapade.

5- Areeka

Knowing my culinary craze, my friends introduced me to another strange Saudi dish called Areeka. Its name sounded like a cross between a sneeze and a hiccup. I was already chuckling before the first bite. We enjoyed this dish at Riyadh market, where a vendor compelled me to try Areeka. He handed me a bowl filled with a blend of mashed dates, wheat, and clarified butter. I couldn’t help but think it seemed something that my grandma would whip up during her experimental baking days.

The first bite was a rush of sweetness that turned into a comforting nutty flavor. I was surprised by Areeka’s gritty yet silky texture. Looking at the oatmeal, I felt like somebody had tried to make it look like a dessert. I looked at my friends, eyes wide, trying to process this new flavor. They laughed and commented that I looked like a squirrel who had just discovered a stash of nuts.

Later they took great pleasure in teasing me about my eating technique. They said I handled the spoon like it was an alien artifact, dipping cautiously as if the Areeka might bite back. They even suggested that eating the dish with a hand would be better for me than eating it with a spoon. Well, I started eating with my hand and the sticky mixture clung to my fingers. I couldn’t help but laugh at how messy I was getting.

The jokes didn’t stop. My friends started a mock debate about whether I’d end up wearing more Areeka than I’d eat. They proposed a bet on how long it would take me to drop a glob on my shirt. I became more careful while eating but when I inevitably failed, dropping a sticky lump right onto my shirt, the group erupted into laughter. I shrugged, saying, “Guess I am just enhancing my Saudi fashion statement”. Overall, it was a phenomenal culinary adventure. I would love to try this strange Saudi dish again and again.

6- Hassawi Rice – Saudi Arabia

My friends, the culinary pranksters, took me to another wild experience with mysterious and fabled Hassawai rice. We were at Al Ahsa’s famous local restaurant when I first saw this dish. I was confused whether it was rice trying to be a dessert or a spicy dish. Its reddish-brown color was as rich as the company of my friends who could only crack jokes when they saw me looking at the dish.

My first bite was a quite rich, earthy, and slightly spicy experience. I also found a hint of sweetness from the dates mixed in it. The texture was hearty, yet spices gave it a kick that I wasn’t expecting. Out of my facial expressions, my friends got something to joke at me; one of them tried to tease me and said, “It’s like your taste buds are doing the samba!” I burst into laughter and took another bite of food before my friend could say anything. I must say every bite was savoring the dance of flavors in my mouth.

As I was struggling to eating the dish properly, one of my friends joked, “Easy there, buddy, you are not digging for treasure!” With this comment, you can imagine how I was eating. Thus, I decided to use my hands, thinking it would be easier. But the rice had other plans- it clung to my fingers like a needy toddler. The jokes continued to fly as I fumbled with the rice. One friend, known for his deadpan humor said, “I think the rice likes you more than you like it”.

Well, after the initial struggle, I learned the right way and genuinely enjoyed the dish. By the end of the meal, I conquered the rebellious culinary dish and had a belly full of laughter. To all the culinary adventurers, I highly recommend trying Hassawi Rice at least once in a lifetime. So, next time you’re in KSA, visit an Al-Ahsa eatery and enjoy this weird dish with meat or fish. But don’t forget to bring your utensils!

Summing up, my culinary adventure in Saudi Arabia was no less than a comedy show. Trying a little with a Camel Hump to dealing with Margood; every dish came with its own ups and downs. Whether it was the unexpected spices of Muttabak or the sticky mess of Areeka, I enjoyed each dish with enthusiasm and a sense of humor.

I hope my journey was entertaining for you. If you also want to have an unforgettable culinary experience in KSA along with fulfilling your religious duties, grab your Umrah package or a travel deal right now. Muslims Holy Travel, one of the leading travel agencies, offers you countless tour packages at competitive rates. Book today and explore the bizarre and delicious world of Saudi cuisine. Embrace the mess, enjoy the flavors, and, most importantly, have fun with these strange dishes. Leave the restaurant with a stomach full of laughter and some new stains on your shirt, and wherever you go, always remember to Travel Till You Drop!