Those who travel to Kuwait for a holiday will be able to enjoy the many varied attractions in the country, including the incredible modern architecture of Kuwait city and the large number of luxurious resorts along the Persian Gulf. However, one major draw in the country is often overlooked: the unique and varied traditional Kuwaiti cuisine.
In order to experience traditional Kuwaiti food firsthand, the majority of foreign passport holders are first required to obtain a visa for Kuwait to travel to the country. Citizens of several eligible countries are able to submit a Kuwait visa application online to receive an approved tourist eVisa valid for a single entry stay of up to 90 days in the country. The simple online application saves eligible travelers the time and hassle of applying from a Kuwaiti embassy or consulate, allowing them extra time in which to plan gastronomic experiences in Kuwait.
Traditional Kuwaiti Dishes
When most people think of food associated with Kuwait, images of hummus and falafel dishes typically associated with Arab cuisine might automatically come to mind. However, Kuwaiti cuisine is made up of a wide variety of unique dishes and prepared using special techniques. These include tabeekh, in which the entire meal is cooked over heat after being placed in a single container, and marag, in which the key ingredients are first fried before the full dish is cooked over a low heat.
For a country with a subtropical desert climate, travelers may be surprised to learn that much of the typical food in Kuwait consists of quite heavy rice-based dishes and thick soups, while seafood is an important ingredient in the country due to its location along the Persian Gulf. Some of the most popular traditional dishes in Kuwait include:
- Harees – A hearty meal popular during winter in Kuwait, Harees is a thick soup-like dish made from wheat mashed together with meat and then topped with cinnamon and sugar.
- Machboos – Kuwait’s national dish, Machboos consists of fragrant rice cooked in a spicy meat broth and accompanied by tender, slow cooked meat, either mutton, chicken, or fish. It is most often accompanied by dakoos, a spicy red sauce made with generous amounts of chili, garlic, and tomatoes.
- Murabyan – A popular rice dish made with large amounts of shrimp and flavoured with tumeric, coriander, onion, and loomi – dried black lime.
- Muttabaq Samak – Although similar variations are found in other Arab states, this rice-based based dish becomes purely Kuwaiti when prepared with Zubaidi (pomfret), the national fish of Kuwait. The pomfret is seasoned, boiled, coated in flour and fried, then served over rice cooked in fish stock and garnished with herbs, raisins, and nuts.
- Gers Ogaily – Also known as perfume cake, Gers Ogaily is a popular traditional dessert known for its rich yellow colour and aromatic flavours from the saffron, cardamom, rose water, and toasted sesame seeds used in the mix.
Where to Try Traditional Kuwaiti Food
If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Kuwaiti household to try some traditional home cooking, don’t forget to brush up on dinner table customs and traditions in Kuwait beforehand so you can impress your hosts. However, even if you don’t have friends and relatives in the country, there are still plenty of excellent options for eating out in Kuwait where you can sample all of the most popular national dishes. The majority of the best dining options are found in the capital, Kuwait City, and include:
Al Boom – Located on the deck of a huge replica wooden ship, the Mohammedi II dhow, Al Boom is one of the most unique dining experiences in Kuwait. Apart from the intriguing setting, the restaurant provides an excellent opportunity to try grilled Zubaidi, as well as a range of other seafood including Omani lobster, and Gulf shrimp skewers.
Beit Dickson – This atmospheric eatery in Kuwait’s Salmiya district is named after the last British ruler of Kuwait before the country gained independence, which is appropriate given the restaurant is located within his former residence. Beit Dickson gives off an overwhelming ‘authentic’ vibe due to its vibrant decoration, which includes rough-hewn walls, Arabic tents and vintage Kuwaiti memorabilia, and the staff, who are all decked out in colorful traditional Kuwaiti dress. An excellent place to try Machboos, Kuwait’s national dish.
Burj Al Hamam – A popular waterfront eatery in Kuwait City, Burj Al Hamam is a great option for trying cuisine from various Arabic countries while in Kuwait, as well as to enjoy 270-degree views of the Persian Gulf from its outdoor terrace.
Zwarah – An elegant modern establishment widely considered one of the best restaurants in the country, Zwarah offers a range of traditional Kuwaiti cuisine including the majority of the traditional favorites in home-cooked style. Another great place to sample Kuwaiti Machboos, Zwarah also offers a delicious Gers Ogaily perfume cake served alongside refreshing cinnamon tea.
No matter where you decide to sample traditional food in Kuwait, make sure you try all of the varied, delicious options before the end of your stay!
