Pilgrims have flocked to Makkah for over a millennium, bringing their different cultures to the heart of Arabia. This transcontinental exchange influenced the cuisine that has developed in Makkah. It is a melting pot of flavors brought by pilgrims and the locals who welcomed them.
Thirst-quenching Sobia is customarily consumed after a long day of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. It comes in many colors and flavors, all with an essential ingredient that remains unchanged—barley. The barley gives it an earthy flavor that sets it miles apart from other juices.
A dish unique to this part of the world consists of lamb meat, dried chickpeas, and rice infused with Middle Eastern spices. If you love mutton biryani, then you'll utterly love this too. It is usually served with tahini and cucumber salad.
Kebabs come in many varieties. For meat lovers, the search never stops as they hunt for the perfect unctuous, juicy kebab. Enter a restaurant where Kebab Miro is grilling, and you'll find it inundated in a delightful smell of this juicy kebab as it wafts through the air. Cut in the shape of meatballs; this kebab uses spices aplenty.
Tagatea is easy to come by as several restaurants in the city serve this dish. It's a flavor and texture frenzy of lambs' kidneys, livers, and spleens. You can have it on its own or add it to a baguette type of bread called Samoli to make a sandwich.
If pizzas are your thing, you have to try this traditional Saudi version of it. One of its main differences is that Aish bil Lahm uses meat copiously instead of small scattered pieces. It also uses a sauce made of hulled sesame called Tahina that gives it a distinct taste.
It's hard walking past a sweet shop displaying slabs of mouth-watering Labniya without heading in for a mouthful. Milky Labniya uses the rose water of Taif's famous 30-petal Damask rose that douses the sweet in a rosy fragrance.
These date-based Arabian cookies are a time-tested favorite. On the day of Eid, you'll probably find mamool in every house. A festive treat for a joyous occasion.
Like other dishes that became famous in this part of the world, Mashbak came to the city through pilgrims. Some say that it was initially brought here by the Egyptians. Some say it was the Indians, and many credits it to the Syrians. No matter where it came from, this deep-fried sweet snack is much loved all over Makkah. You'll find it on display arranged in irregular coils. They offer a unique crispy texture once you bite in.
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