Foodie Alert: Top 7 Authentic Dishes And Drinks To Try In Bahrain

Bahrain's rich culture, tradition, and history are also reflected in their dishes and drinks. From the age-old Harees to the soft and spongy khanfaroosh, these are some of the many dishes that you shouldn't miss on your visit to the country. Check out these top 7 dishes and drinks that you must try on your travels to Bahrain.

Kabsa

Kabsa, also called machboos across the Arabian Peninsula is the national dish of Bahrain. It is a one pot chicken and rice dish that is made in many countries across the gulf region. Kabsa makes use of the water that was used to cook meat or fish and reuses it to cook the spiced rice. The dish has origins in Yemen but has now become a favorite across the gulf and particularly in Bahrain.

Kabsa can be made with chicken, lamb, camel meat, fish or even shrimps, truffles, or duck meat. The cooked rice is topped with a hearty portion of meat or fish and served in a large platter for you to share. Locals will tell you that you must not use a fork or knife. Just use your hands and savour this sumptuous one pot meal.

Muhammar

Muhammar is a traditional sweet rice dish from Bahrain. It starts with steaming, parboiling or even frying basmati long-grain rice in butter. This is followed by sweetening the rice with honey or caramelised sugar. To make the rice more flavourful, it is prepared with a selection of spices and other ingredients including cloves, cardamom, and rose water. 

Muhammar is served with fried or grilled fish on the side, giving a spicy contrast to the sweet dish. The most popular local fish served with Muhammar are safi, chanab, rabeeb, and yanam. The fish is usually rubbed with a local spice mix (coriander, ginger, turmeric, red chilli, fenugreek, onion, garlic, clove, and black pepper) and seasoned with salt, before it is grilled or shallow fried. Some leafy greens and a dollop of lemon juice accompany the spread too.

The dish finds its origins among pearl divers who sweetened the rice with dibs (date syrup) instead of caramelised sugar or honey that is used today.

Gahwa

One of the most popular Bahraini drinks is the Gahwa. Arabic coffee is used to make this warm drink. It is served as a sign of honour and respect to the guests and elderly are served before the other. Hosts make sure that they taste the drink before they are served to the guests. The highlight of the Gahwa is a generous pinch of cardamom. Gahwa is not sweetened with any sugar or honey. Instead, it is served with fresh dates , sweets , and pastries like baklava.

Served at many spots, don't forget to grab a warm glass of Gahwa after a tiring touristy day in Bahrain.

Khanfaroosh

Khanfaroosh is a soft and spongy Arabic cake that is also similar to a doughnut. It serves as a perfect  companion to tea and coffee and is infused with cardamom and saffron to give an authentic Arabic aroma and flavour. 

It is made with wheat flour. rice flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and rosewater.  The perfect spongy texture and lightness of Khanfaroosh will win your heart. We bet you would want to eat it over and over again.

Sharbat Zafran

Wondering how the people of the Gulf countries have such glowy and clear skin? Sharbat zafran might just be one of the reasons. A traditional and local drink in Bahrain, a chilled glass of sharbat zafran is all you need to refresh yourself after a long day of travels.

Be rest assured that you will be greeted by this drink in almost every Bahraini household. Infused with saffron, the cooler is also believed to have many health benefits including stress reduction, blood pressure control and of course great skin! 

Balaleet

Balaleet is a breakfast special that is also served for dinner during the month of Ramadan. The sweet and savoury dish is a speciality of the Persian gulf and the people of Bahrain enjoy it to the fullest. It is made with sweet or spicy vermicelli, eggs, cardamom, saffron, butter, and water. It also includes rosewater, nuts, dried fruits, and honey.

The aromatic and flavourful mixture is also topped with a hearty portion of fried or scrambled egg and can be served both hot and cold.

Harees

Harees is a savoury, porridge-like dish that is a favorite during Ramadan. The dish is slow cooked over 8 hours and this long cooking is reflected in the taste of the dish. It involves slow cooking of wheat and meat until they acquire a gooey, smooth, and creamy texture. It is also seasoned with a blend of spices including cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg that imparts a rich flavour to the dish.

The origins of Harees or Jareesh can be traced back to the ancient Middle east. In Bahrain the dish holds a cultural and culinary importance and involves community cooking. During celebration, family and friends join together to make this dish collectively and this lies at the centre of Bahrain’s traditions.