Behold our latest column—the bazaar hit. list! From food to places, to even our favorite things to do, our monthly hit list will entertain your every whim. We start off with a topic that is very close to our hearts: Kuwaiti food! Most of our bazaar team members were either born in Kuwait, lived in town for years, or are simply Kuwaitis by heart. Because of that, we all developed roots in this small but mighty nation, and without a doubt, these roots are also influenced by our favorite Kuwaiti dishes. By now, we all know how tough it is to really bring in the flavors of a traditional Kuwaiti dish. So, without any further delays, here are the teams’ favorites!
Yasmine El Charif (Content Manager): Murabyan.
What’s in it? It’s basically a rice and shrimp dish, but on flavor steroids.
Why I love it: It takes true technique to cleverly build up the flavor in Murabyan without overcooking, let alone overpowering, the delicacy of the shrimp. I love the use of dill in this dish, as well as turmeric, coriander and dried loomi (which is a very specific taste—you’ll know it as soon as you try it!). When executed well, this is such a moreish plate of food, and one bite is never enough.
Places to try this dish: The best versions of Murabya that I’ve ever had are usually homemade, but I keep hearing of solid renditions at Dar Hamad, the traditional restaurants in Souq Al Mubarakiya, and the restaurant Kashounat Al Bait. I think you should try different versions of this dish until you find the one you like! Check out the Kuwaiti cuisine food filter on Carriage, Zitaat
Umika Pidaparthy (Online Producer): Luqaimat.
What’s in it? Sugar, flour, yeast, saffron, cardamom.
Why I love it: It’s the perfect dessert and is the best of a doughnut ball and of the Indian gulab jamun.
Places to try this dish:
Yasmin Gamal (Secret Ninja): Tannour bread.
What’s in it? Flour, water, yeast.
Why I love it: It works with jam, cheese, labneh, zaatar, whatever floats your boat.
Places to try this dish: Hot and fresh out of your local bakery, there is one attached to most co-ops.
Hallah Danbouh (MMC): Chicken Machbous
What’s in it: Rice and chicken.
Why I love it: It’s the dish I grew up on, whether I was having lunch at my grandmas or at home. Every machbous is slightly different than the other one, but it still has that amazing nostalgic feeling.
Places to try this dish: My grandma’s house, or any Kuwaiti cuisine restaurant. I’d personally recommend Baytoti.
Jennifer Cádiz (MMS): Markookh/Margoog.
What’s in it? All your left over vegetables plus dough in a thick broth
Why I love it: It reminds me of my mother’s thick and gooey Hough and lentil soup with hand rolled dumplings, which was my favorite growing up.
Places to try this dish: The lamb meat
Featured image by bazaar Studios.
