A Must Eat Arabian Cuisines During Your Vacation in Sharjah, UAE

You decide to take a vacation and book a trip to the Middle East where you plan to unwind and rejuvenate as you take in the region's rich culture, history and tradition. While on your vacation in Sharjah, there's one thing that you can't miss out on - the local cuisine. Indulging in an Arabic palate that has been influenced by several different cultures over the years is a leisure you have to pursue. Here are our local favourites that are a must-try for travellers.

Shawarma Wrap

Shawarma is a popular Arab dish. It's considered to be one of the most famous dishes from the Middle East, and it's available at premium hotels in Sharjah, UAE. The shawarma wrap is made of shawarma meat that's wrapped inside flatbread with pickles and sauces on top.

Its taste is similar to chicken burgers or sandwiches you might eat at fast food restaurants such as McDonalds or Burger King back home in your country. This type of sandwich is delicious and very filling so make sure to bring an appetite when ordering one.

Falafel

Falafel is a dish made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern food that originated in the Levant, but is now found in many parts of the world. Falafel is served as a sandwich, wrap or salad.

Falafel balls are generally formed from a mixture of raw chickpeas (garbanzo beans), fava beans, broad beans and/or other beans such as green peas. They may also contain green onions and herbs such as parsley, coriander leaves and fresh cilantro. Spices such as cumin and garlic are added along with flour or breadcrumbs to help bind the balls together.

Falafel can be eaten alone or wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes and tahini sauce (a sauce made from sesame seeds). It can also be eaten with hummus (chickpea paste) and tabbouleh (bulgur wheat salad).

Hummus

The Arabic word for chickpeas, Hummus is a staple of the Middle East diet and a delicious spread for bread. It is made from mashed chickpeas and sesame paste. The dish can be eaten with pita bread or as a dip with vegetables and chips. You can find Harees at restaurants like the Oscar Restaurant at the best 5 star hotel in Sharjah. It comes in many different flavours such as roasted pepper, spicy, or even mint.

Mansaf

Mansaf is a traditional Arab dish that is made of rice, meat and different types of vegetables. It's served on a large plate with a dome-shaped bread called 'saj'. The dish can be topped with ghee (clarified butter), minced meat or chicken, eggplants, zucchini and tomatoes.

Mansaf usually serves 10 people at once but it depends on the size of your family or guests you are serving. You can eat Mansaf in several ways: you can use your hand to grab some rice and mix it with the gravy or use your spoon for scooping up food from the plate onto your saj bread then enjoy.

Kabsa

Kabsa is a dish that is popular in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The dish's main ingredients are rice, meat, and spices including cumin seed, saffron and cardamom. Kabsas are usually served with side dishes like hummus or salad.

Labneh

Labneh is a thick, strained yogurt that's used to make dips and toppings for breads. It's also known as laban (or lebnah), a name that translates to "yogurt" in Arabic.

The preparation of labneh requires straining the yogurt so it becomes thick and creamy in texture, but not so much that it becomes runny. The end result is a thick, mild-tasting yogurt that's smooth and spreadable.

Labneh is often eaten on its own or with olive oil or date syrup drizzled over top, but it can also be used in cooking as a substitute for sour cream or creme fraiche (which isn't usually available).

Tabbouleh Salad

One of the most popular dishes in the Middle East, Tabbouleh Salad is a delicious combination of finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint and bulgur wheat. It is typically served as an accompaniment to other main courses such as kebabs or falafel. Tabbouleh Salad is considered to be one of the most important dishes in Arab cuisine. Book your stay at a hotel near Sharjah City Centre and enjoy this dish that symbolises warmth, hospitality and generosity.

Kunafa Nabulsia

This dessert is a delicious combination of shredded phyllo dough, rose water syrup and nuts. The shredded phyllo dough is baked until golden and crispy, then topped with the syrup and nuts. It's a must-eat dessert at a restaurant in Sharjah. Kunafa can be eaten at any time of day but is most often enjoyed in the evening as a light dessert after dinner or as breakfast on weekends when families spend time together over breakfast at home.

Fattous

Fattoush is usually prepared by tossing together fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and other herbs with a lemon juice based dressing that contains olive oil and garlic paste as well as sumac for added flavour. This salad can be served as an appetiser or even as a main course meal along with grilled meat or fish.Fattoush goes well with all kinds of meat dishes because it tastes great when mixed with them!

Enjoy Arabic Cuisines at The Act Hotel

While the ambiance of the hotel is nice, the food at the Act hotel with restaurant in Sharjah is simply amazing. The Oscar restaurant serves great tasting Arab cuisines and you will not be disappointed by the hospitality and great service. If you're going to the UAE and want to taste some great Arabic cuisine, then do make sure to try this restaurant on your trip to Sharjah.