The Arab world is a beautiful name for the Arab bloc including 22 countries stretching from West Asia to North Africa, including many famous countries on the world tourism map such as Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Morocco, Oman,.. They share the same Arabic language, pray to Allah and read the Quran every day, of course, the cuisine with typical ingredients of the region is indispensable, creating a perfect picture of the culture here.
Arabic style buffet inside a 5 star hotel.
Dates – a gift from nature
When arriving in the Arabian land, dates no longer mean dating, but the name of the most traditional and nutritious fruit – dates. It is hard to imagine that in the hot desert and the lack of green trees, such a sweet fruit can be produced. Dates even become an indispensable snack during Ramadan, the holiest month of Islam.
Date season usually falls in the summer, but you can eat dates at any time of the year because people will harvest and dry them. Dates are used in cakes, cooking, making date syrup, sandwiched with different types of nuts to make delicious desserts, ... or simply a few dried dates eaten with tahini sauce (a typical Middle Eastern sesame butter sauce), so you have a taste of Arabia in your mouth.
Dates are often displayed elegantly to attract diners.
Kebab and shawarma – famous dishes from street to luxury restaurant
If Southeast Asia is famous for satay, a type of grilled meat marinated and skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal, then the Arab country will compete with its kebab. Even with a longer history, they claim that satay is the Southeast Asian version of this dish.
Kebab usually uses lamb and beef, later on it is varied with chicken, goat, etc. but does not include pork for religious reasons in Arabia. The meat is cut into pieces or minced, marinated with typical Middle Eastern spices such as cumin, paprika, oregano, etc. then skewered and grilled over hot coals. Kebab is often served with Arabic breads such as pita or naan (a traditional flatbread).
Kebab grilled over charcoal served with pita bread.
In Vietnam, Doner Kebab is also popular, imported from this country, also known as Turkish sandwich: hot triangular bread will be sandwiched with grilled meat (usually pork to suit Vietnamese taste) cut directly from the machine with a long knife, served with vegetables, pickles and very flavorful sauce. However, due to the habit of calling this dish kebab sandwich, many people do not know its real name.
Rather than calling it a kebab, it is more accurately called shawarma. The shawarma sandwich first appeared in Türkiye in the 19th century, then brought to the West by Lebanese immigrants. Shawarma plays an indispensable role in Arabic meals, especially in Lebanese restaurants. The meat inside can be grilled or slow-cooked to enhance the flavor. The bread is also varied like Pita or Naan and is often rolled into a tube.
Hummus sauce – a distinctive touch of Arabia
Hummus is made from cooked and mashed chickpeas with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. The sauce has a rich, aromatic, slightly salty and light taste but is extremely nutritious. Hummus is famous throughout the Middle East and many Arab countries. People here use hummus in all their daily dishes: spread on bread, mix in salads, dip steamed/boiled vegetables, even dip with French fries instead of tomato sauce, etc.
Hummus sauce brings unique flavor to diners. (Photo: Cooking Light)
Hummus is so popular that there has been much debate and litigation over its origin between the Israelis and the Lebanese. However, the final verdict is still out. In the meantime, enjoy hummus in a variety of ways to see which one bursts with flavor the most.
Sweet and delicate kunafa cakes
Kunafa is the most famous dessert of the Arab people. The word “kunafa” means “shelter”, which is perhaps the best description for the crispy outer shell that encloses the sweet filling inside. The shell is reminiscent of the Vietnamese spring roll shell, but is actually made from crushed phyllo dough, creating a characteristic crispiness and aroma.
Kunafa with date filling, a luxurious gift for Ramadan.
The filling inside is so diverse that it will surprise you: rich cream cheese sprinkled with a layer of pistachio (pistachio), or can be combined with raisins, nuts, Mozzarella cheese is also commonly used. But as if it is not sweet enough, the people of this country will complete the kunafa dish with a layer of syrup made from a mixture of sugar, lemon juice, palm oil, rose water, margarine, etc. The bright orange-red crust becomes even more shimmering when drenched in this syrup. Each layer of crispy crust melts in the mouth, followed by the rich, smooth filling, combined with the sweetness of the syrup, all creating a charming "muse" in the culinary culture of Arabia.
Bring your hungry stomach to the land of Arabia, you will be filled not only with delicious food but also with interesting and fascinating cultural stories of the people here.
The artisan finishes the kunafa with a special syrup and sprinkles some pitaschio on top.
