How to Eat Like a Local in Qatar – Experience the Culinary Highlights

However, your experience of this destination would be incomplete without enjoying some of the local foods as a native Qatari would. You will find that the cuisine of this country is delicious and diverse, with many mouth-watering flavours for the diner. Provided below are some suggestions for enjoying Qatari food just as a local might.

Try majboos

A great choice with which to commence your sampling of Qatari cuisine would be the irresistible majboos which also happens to be Qatar’s national dish. The main ingredients in this dish would be rice and either lamb or chicken. When preparing this dish, it will be cooked steadily and slowly to maximize the richness and flavours. This dish gains its distinctive taste from the blend of spices it is seasoned with. Chefs making majboos take their time in preparing it so that the result will be a culinary masterpiece.

Enjoy shawarma

The very popular shawarma can be found in many parts of the Middle East; it consists of thin slices of meats such as lamb, chicken, goat, beef or turkey that are filled into a sizable piece of pita or flatbread along with other ingredients. Common elements in shawarma would be tahini, hummus, vegetables and pickles. In Qatar, you will also have the chance to enjoy unusual varieties like fish and shrimp shawarma. You could also choose from Lebanese, Turkish and Indian styles of shawarma in Qatar.

Eat madrouba

Madrouba happens to be a traditional Qatari food that may be enjoyed as a meal or even as a snack. Basically, this dish may be described as rice porridge with a distinctive texture and flavour. It also includes chicken, butter, milk and cardamom; these ingredients are simmered together till the mixture becomes soft. You will find that each of the Qatari restaurants that have madrouba on their menus will use their own unique recipe and preparation style when making this inimitable dish.

Savour balaleet

A unique dish that you could enjoy in Qatar would be the remarkable balaleet. This unusual but delicious culinary creation can be enjoyed as a breakfast dish and as a dessert. It is noted for its combination of contrasting savoury, salty and sweet flavours. Balaleet features vermicelli noodles that are fried and cooked along with cinnamon, sugar, cardamom and saffron; it is completed by an omelette. Sometimes chefs will also sprinkle a serving of nuts as a topping to complete the dish. An accommodation choice to consider from where you could visit the best restaurants in Doha to enjoy such Qatari foods would be Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks.

Taste Umm Ali

When it comes to Qatari desserts, a special place will go to the popular Umm Ali. Originally from the nation of Egypt, this dish is now enjoyed in many parts of the Middle East. In Qatar, you will have the opportunity to savour this comforting dish that may be described as a bread pudding filled with nuts, raisins, milk, cinnamon and more. You will also commonly find dried fruits as well as a combination of spices in this dish. This sweet dessert will be a Qatari food to savour.

Experience luqaimat

Another exquisite, sweet treat that you could enjoy in Qatar would be the delectable luqaimat. This special dish may be described as sweet dumplings resembling doughnut balls that are made from butter, flour, milk and sugar, and flavoured with saffron and cardamom; they are deep-fried to create a distinctive taste. Finally, they will be dipped in a sweet syrup to complete the preparation of the dish. Luqaimat should have a crispy shell as well as a fluffy centre. Sometimes a sprinkling of sesame seeds is also added for enhanced flavour.