$100 Dubai Street Food Challenge: A Traditional Emirati Culinary Adventure

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Dubai is renowned for its extravagant lifestyle and luxurious amenities, but hidden beneath its glitzy facade lies a rich tapestry of traditional Emirati cuisine. In this blog, we explore an ambitious challenge of spending over $100 on street food, specifically focusing on the cultural treasures of the Emirati heritage.

🥯 Starting the Day with Breakfast

Our culinary journey begins at **Al Shandaga Restaurant**, a quaint breakfast eatery known for its expansive menu of traditional Emirati breakfast items.

Here, we sampled **leqaimat**, which are fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The combination of textures—crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—was delightful and accompanied by a familiar sweetness reminiscent of maple syrup.

Another dish enjoyed was **regat**, a type of flat pancake filled with flavors like Emirati fish sauce, fresh egg, and a sprinkle of chips for added crunch. The taste was both unique and exhilarating.

🍟 Nostalgic Snacks and Chips

Next, we ventured into a local grocery store for a childhood snack that resonates with every Emirati: chips mixed with yogurt and hot sauce. This simple but flavorful snack involves adding spicy sauce to yogurt and the iconic **Omani chips**, then giving it a shake for a savory crunch.

It's an unexpected yet harmonious fusion of flavors that presents a signature taste of Emirati childhood.

🍽️ The King of Sambusa

Our third stop was at **Sambusa King**, famous for its variety of sambusas, or stuffed pastries that come in both vegetarian and meat options.

After watching these savory pastries being fried to golden perfection, we tried sambusa nachos, where different types of sambusas were layered with sauces and chips, creating a fusion dish that is both hearty and packed with flavor.

Not to mention, we could not resist the **Sambusa King special sandwich**, which combined sambusa, cheese, and an array of sauces. This dish perfectly captures the essence of comfort food.

🍲 Embracing the Richness of Harice

After sampling street snacks, we arrived at **Harice Al Farish**, where we discovered Harice, a thick mixture of wheat, goat, and ghee—a dish similar to the haleem found in other Middle Eastern countries.

This rich and goopy dish was a highlight of our day, showcasing the unique textures and flavors that define Emirati cuisine. Topped with ghee, it was a delight that filled both the stomach and soul.

🐑 A Lamb Celebration

Our culinary adventure took a grand turn when we visited a restaurant specializing in whole lamb cooked in a traditional tanor oven. Served on a platter, this succulent lamb was accompanied by basmati rice and unique local herbs for flavor.

The highlights included juicy meat, perfectly seasoned with a subtle char, making each bite tender and flavorful. The accompanying sauces of coriander and tomato elevated the experience.

🦐 The Grand Seafood Platter

No culinary expedition is complete without indulging in a robust seafood platter. We ended our journey at a seafood restaurant where we were treated to a massive platter filled with various seafood delicacies, including **baby shark, shrimp, and sea bream**.

Accompanied by seasoned mandi rice, this dish was a feast for the senses. The vibrant flavors and textures of the seafood melded together beautifully, making it a fitting conclusion to our food adventure.

💰 The Total

After sampling these incredible dishes throughout the day, spending over $100 on street food turned out to be a delicious challenge that we met with enthusiasm. The final tally reached $177, showcasing the diversity and richness of Emirati food culture.

Every meal was an opportunity to understand the influences and ingredients that shape Emirati cuisine, revealing the heart and warmth of this diverse country. Discovering these traditional dishes allowed us to appreciate not just the food but also the culture and community that surrounds it.