The Most Popular Food in Kuwait, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:38
In the bustling streets of Kuwait, food serves not only as a daily sustenance but also as a vibrant expression of culture and tradition. With such a rich array of culinary delights, it can often be a challenge to identify which dishes resonate most with both locals and visitors alike.
This interactive voting system invites you to cast your vote and see how your preferences stack up against others. By participating, you'll help paint a clearer picture of Kuwait's culinary favorites, ensuring that every voice is heard in the quest to pinpoint the most beloved dishes.
What Is the Most Popular Food in Kuwait?
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136votesMachboos is a traditional dish made of rice, meat (usually chicken or lamb), and a blend of spices including saffron, cinnamon, and cardamom. It is often served with a side of yogurt or salad.Machboos, also known as machbous, is a popular traditional dish in Bahrain. It is a flavorful rice dish cooked with meat, usually chicken, lamb, or fish, along with aromatic spices, herbs, and vegetables. The key ingredient that gives Machboos its distinct flavor is the Baharat spice blend, which typically includes spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and black lime. The dish is often garnished with fried onions, raisins, and slivered almonds to add texture and sweetness. Machboos is typically served with a side of yogurt or salad.
- Primary Ingredient: Meat (chicken, lamb, fish)
- Spices: Baharat spice blend (e.g., cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, black lime)
- Vegetables: Onions, tomatoes, garlic, carrots
- Other Flavorings: Saffron, rosewater (optional)
- Garnish: Fried onions, raisins, slivered almonds
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228votesGers ogaily is a sweet pastry made with dates, flour, and butter. It is a popular dessert in Kuwait and can be found in many bakeries and coffee shops.Gers ogaily is a traditional Kuwaiti dessert made from a combination of semolina, sugar, ghee, rose water, and saffron. It has a rich and buttery texture with a delicate floral flavor. The dessert is typically served warm and is commonly enjoyed during special occasions and gatherings in Kuwait.
- Ingredients: Semolina, sugar, ghee, rose water, saffron
- Texture: Rich and buttery
- Flavor: Delicate and floral
- Temperature: Served warm
- Origin: Kuwait
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39votesMandi is a dish that originated in Yemen but is popular in Kuwait. It consists of slow-cooked meat (usually lamb or chicken) and rice, flavored with a variety of spices including cumin and coriander.Mandi is a traditional dish popular in Kuwait, known for its rich flavors and aromatic spices. It is a slow-cooked rice and meat dish that originated in Yemen and was brought to Kuwait by Yemeni immigrants. Mandi is typically made with seasoned lamb or chicken, basmati rice, and a blend of spices.
- Cooking method: Slow-cooked
- Meat options: Lamb or chicken
- Rice variety: Basmati rice
- Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black lime, saffron
- Preparation style: Meat and rice are cooked together in a tandoor or underground oven
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421votesThareed is a traditional Arabian dish made with bread, meat (usually lamb or chicken), and a tomato-based sauce. It is often served during Ramadan and other special occasions.Thareed is a traditional Kuwaiti dish that is popularly enjoyed by the locals. It can be best described as a hearty stew made with layers of flatbread, vegetables, meat (such as chicken or lamb), and aromatic spices. The dish is topped with a flavorful tomato-based broth and is usually eaten with hands by tearing pieces of bread and soaking them in the stew. Thareed is considered a comfort food and is often served during special occasions and gatherings.
- Main ingredients: Flatbread, vegetables, and meat
- Primary flavors: Aromatic spices and tomato-based broth
- Serving style: Torn bread pieces soaked in stew
- Popular meat choices: Chicken or lamb
- Seasonings: Traditional Kuwaiti spice blends
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517votesHarees is a porridge-like dish made with wheat, meat (usually lamb), and spices. It is a popular dish during Ramadan and other special occasions.Harees is a traditional Arab dish that is popular in Bahrain. It is a slow-cooked porridge made with wheat and meat, typically lamb or chicken. The dish has a creamy and smooth texture, with the wheat grains breaking down during the cooking process. Harees is often enjoyed during special occasions and religious festivals, such as Ramadan.
- Main Ingredients: Wheat, meat (lamb or chicken)
- Cooking Method: Slow-cooked porridge
- Texture: Creamy and smooth
- Traditional Occasions: Ramadan, special events
- Preparation Time: Several hours
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614votesLuqaimat is a sweet fried dumpling made with flour, yeast, and sugar. It is often served with a syrup made with honey and saffron.Luqaimat is a popular dessert in Yemen made of deep-fried dough balls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. These golden-brown treats are drizzled with a generous amount of sugar syrup, which adds sweetness and a sticky glaze to the luqaimat. It is often enjoyed during special occasions and festivals, or simply as a delightful snack.
- Ingredients: flour, yeast, sugar, cardamom, saffron, salt
- Preparation time: 1-2 hours
- Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
- Texture: Crispy outside, soft inside
- Shape: Small balls
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72votesShakshouka is a dish made with eggs cooked in a tomato-based sauce with onions, peppers, and spices. It is popular in many Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait.Shakshouka is a popular dish in Kuwaiticuisine that has its origins in North Africa. It is typically made with poached eggs cooked in a spiced tomato and bell pepper sauce. The dish is known for its rich flavors and vibrant colors, making it a visually appealing and delicious option for breakfast or brunch.
- Main Ingredients: Eggs, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions
- Spices: Cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper
- Other Additions: Garlic, olive oil, parsley
- Serving Style: Hot, usually with crusty bread on the side for dipping
- Texture: Saucy tomato base with poached eggs
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811votesBalaleet is a sweet vermicelli pudding made with sugar, rose water, and saffron. It is often served for breakfast or as a dessert.Balaleet is a traditional Yemeni dessert that is popularly served during breakfast or special occasions. It is a sweet and savory dish made with vermicelli noodles cooked in a sweetened cardamom-infused egg mixture and topped with saffron-infused sugar and ground cinnamon. Balaleet is known for its unique combination of flavors and textures.
- Ingredients: Vermicelli noodles, eggs, sugar, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon
- Flavor profile: Sweet and savory
- Texture: Soft noodles with a custard-like egg mixture
- Preparation: The vermicelli noodles are cooked until tender, then mixed with a sweetened egg mixture infused with cardamom. The mixture is cooked until set, creating a soft and custard-like texture. It is then topped with a saffron-infused sugar syrup and ground cinnamon.
- Serving: Balaleet is served warm, often for breakfast or as a dessert during special occasions. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with Yemeni bread.
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98votesBiryani is a rice dish made with meat (usually chicken or lamb), spices, and sometimes vegetables. It is popular in many countries, including Kuwait.Biryani is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made by cooking basmati rice with a blend of spices, meat (such as chicken, mutton, or fish), and occasionally vegetables. Biryani is known for its rich taste, tender meat, and fragrant rice, making it one of the most popular and beloved dishes in India.
- Region: Various regions of India, with variations in spices and style.
- Meat: Chicken, mutton, fish, or seafood.
- Vegetarian Options: Vegetable biryani or paneer biryani (cottage cheese).
- Rice: Basmati rice, known for its long-grain and fragrant characteristics.
- Spices: A blend of various spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, and saffron.
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109votesKebabs is grilled meat skewers seasoned with a variety of spices. They are a popular street food in Kuwait and can be found in many restaurants and food stalls.Kebabs are a popular Middle Eastern grilled dish consisting of skewered meat, typically beef, chicken, lamb, or goat, that is marinated with a variety of aromatic spices and cooked over an open flame or grill. The meat is often tender and juicy, with a smoky and charred flavor. Kebabs are commonly served with pita bread, rice, salad, or grilled vegetables, and are enjoyed in many Arab countries as a part of their culinary traditions.
- Types of Meat Used: Beef, chicken, lamb, or goat
- Marination: Meat is marinated with aromatic spices, herbs, and sometimes yogurt
- Skewering Technique: Meat is skewered on metal or wooden sticks
- Cooking Method: Grilled over an open flame or charcoal
- Flavor Profile: Smoky, charred, and flavorful
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Ranking factors for popular food
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Local preferencesConsider the taste and preference of local residents in Kuwait, as it would be crucial in identifying which foods are popular among them.
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Traditional dishesIdentify the traditional Kuwaiti dishes, since these are likely to be popular among the local population and are important in preserving the country's culinary heritage.
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AvailabilityThe ease of access and availability of a particular food item in Kuwait plays a significant role in making it popular.
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Frequency of consumptionDetermine the frequency at which a particular food is consumed by the people in Kuwait. The higher the frequency, the more popular the food is likely to be.
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AffordabilityThe cost of a particular food item impacts its popularity among different socio-economic groups. Affordable food items tend to be more popular among the masses.
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Influence of foreign cuisinesKuwait has a diverse expat community, which has had an influence on the local cuisine. Consider if any of the popular food items in Kuwait are influenced by foreign cuisines.
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Social media trendsOften, the popularity of a food item can be gauged by its presence on social media platforms such as Instagram or food blogs. This can be an important factor in understanding the current popularity of specific food items.
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Cultural significanceSome foods may have cultural and historical significance in Kuwait, which would contribute to their popularity.
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Health consciousnessIn recent years, health consciousness has been on the rise globally, and it's important to consider if any popular food items in Kuwait are influenced by this trend.
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Reviews and ratingsAggregate reviews and ratings from various online food delivery platforms, restaurants, and eateries to get an understanding of which food items are popular among the local population.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Kuwait. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2183 views
- 147 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in kuwait
Kuwait, a small country in the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its rich culture and diverse cuisine. Kuwaiti cuisine is a blend of Arabian, Indian, Persian, and Mediterranean influences, resulting in a unique taste that is loved by locals and visitors alike.
When it comes to the most popular food in Kuwait, there are a few dishes that stand out. One of them is Machboos, a traditional rice dish that is prepared with spices, meat, and vegetables. Another popular dish is Ghouzi, a roasted lamb that is served with rice and a variety of side dishes.
Kuwaitis also love their seafood, and dishes like Fried Shrimp and Fish Machboos are a staple in many restaurants. Sweet treats like Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough ball that is served with syrup, and Basbousa, a semolina cake, are also popular dessert options in Kuwait.
With so many delicious options to choose from, it's no wonder that Kuwaiti cuisine is loved by people all over the world.
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