National Food of UAE: Khuzi, Culture & Where to Eat

Yes, Khuzi is widely recognized and celebrated as the national dish of the UAE. This spiced roasted lamb over fragrant rice serves as a symbol of Emirati heritage, identity, and hospitality. It’s featured prominently at UAE National Day celebrations (December 2), state events, weddings, and family gatherings throughout the Emirates.

Khuzi’s status as a national symbol is not accidental. Since the UAE’s founding in 1971, the government and cultural institutions have deliberately elevated traditional foods as markers of national identity. In an era of rapid modernization and globalization, preserving and celebrating Khuzi serves as a cultural anchor—a way for Emiratis to maintain connection to their Bedouin roots and Arabian heritage.

While Khuzi holds the distinction of being the national dish, Machboos is arguably the most commonly eaten Emirati food in everyday life. This fragrant rice dish, made with meat (chicken or lamb) or seafood, appears regularly on family dinner tables, restaurant menus, and at celebrations throughout the UAE.

Machboos’s popularity stems from several factors. First, it’s more accessible than Khuzi—a whole roasted lamb requires significant preparation and space. Second, its flavor profile appeals universally—the tangy note of dried limes (loomi), the warmth of saffron and cardamom, and tender meat create a deeply satisfying dish. Third, it’s adaptable; variations using chicken, lamb, fish, or vegetables mean every family has their version.

1. Machboos – The everyday champion of Emirati cuisine

2. Khuzi – The national dish, reserved for celebrations

3. Harees – The comfort classic, quintessential Ramadan dish

4. Balaleet – The breakfast beloved with sweet-salty contrast

5. Luqaimat – The sweet triumph, crispy fried dumplings with date syrup

Understanding these five dishes provides a comprehensive introduction to Emirati cuisine.

Traditional Emirati food evolved from three distinct culinary traditions:

Bedouin Heritage (Desert Traditions): Nomadic Bedouin tribes relied on shelf-stable, nutrient-dense foods. Meat from camels, goats, and sheep formed the protein base. These simple ingredients, slow-cooked over fires, created deeply flavored dishes like Khuzi and Harees.

Fishing Culture (Persian Gulf Traditions): Centuries of pearl diving and fishing made seafood central. Fish species native to the Persian Gulf—sea bream, hamour, kingfish—became dietary staples, traditionally grilled or stewed with local spices.

Agricultural & Trade Traditions: Ancient trade routes brought spices from India and Persia. Saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves became signature flavors. Dates became essential to both savory and sweet dishes.

Khuzi is the national food of UAE. While Kabsa is the national dish of Saudi Arabia and closely related, Khuzi is distinctly and culturally Emirati.

Both dishes share foundational similarities—they’re spiced meat and rice preparations from the Arabian Peninsula. However, they differ significantly:

Khuzi (UAE National Dish): Features whole or large roasted lamb, served on a bed of spiced rice, topped with roasted hazelnuts, dried fruits, potatoes. Traditionally a communal platter.

Kabsa (Saudi Arabia National Dish): Typically features cut meat, rice cooked with meat in one pot, often served with tangy sauce on the side.

Each nation’s version reflects its unique geography, history, and values.

Several online retailers in the UAE offer authentic Emirati food ingredients:

Baladi Foodstuff (baladifoodstuff.com) – Premium organic spices, 1-2 day delivery, laboratory tested

The Nuts Supermarket (thenuts.ae) – 100% pure herbs and spices, fast delivery

Tamayuz Trading – Commercial-grade quality with certifications

QualityFood.ae – Curated grocery selection with quality guarantees

Dubai Spice Souk (Deira) – Traditional marketplace, bulk purchasing, rare blends

Multiple platforms offer convenient home delivery of authentic Emirati cuisine:

Careem – 9,000+ restaurants, 24/7 availability, Careem Plus subscription for unlimited free delivery

HalalTrip App – Specialized halal dining finder with customer reviews

Zomato – Restaurant reviews and detailed menus with delivery tracking

Uber Eats – Growing presence with promotional discounts

Pro tips: Order during off-peak hours for faster delivery, request heating instructions, order family-style platters for better value.

A traditional Emirati breakfast (Futur) is hearty and leisurely, typically enjoyed on weekends:

Core Components:

• Balaleet – Sweet vermicelli with savory egg omelet
• Khameer Bread – Soft, cardamom flatbread
• Fresh White Cheese – Creamy Labneh
• Dates – Fresh and dried varieties
• Eggs – Multiple preparations
• Olives – Green or black
• Arabic Coffee (Qahwa) – Bitter, cardamom-spiced

Traditional breakfast is leisurely, often lasting 1-2 hours. Families gather, eat slowly, and converse. Friday is the most common day for full traditional breakfasts.

While Khuzi is meat-based, Emirati cuisine offers several vegetarian and vegan options:

Fully Vegetarian/Vegan Dishes:

• Hummus – Chickpea puree, creamy and protein-rich
• Falafel – Spiced chickpea croquettes, naturally vegan
• Tabbouleh – Herb salad with parsley, tomato, bulgur
• Vegetable Saloona – Tomato-based stew with vegetables
• Luqaimat – Sweet dumplings with date syrup, naturally vegan

Modern restaurants increasingly offer vegetarian versions of traditional dishes, such as Machboos with lentils or Harees with vegetables.

Ramadan (March-April 2025) – Special dishes like Harees, Thareed, and Luqaimat. Iftar tents offer free communal meals.

Eid Al-Fitr (March 30-31, 2025) – Marks the end of Ramadan with family feasts featuring Khuzi and Machboos.

Eid Al-Adha (June 16-17, 2025) – Commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice with Ouzi, kebabs, and Biryani.

UAE National Day (December 2) – Celebrates the UAE’s founding with Khuzi prominently featured at pop-up stalls and celebrations.

Sheikh Zayed Festival (November-February) – Month-long cultural celebration with Emirati food stalls and cooking demonstrations.

Any Friday – Authentic breakfast culture at home and in restaurants, leisurely pace.

Khuzi pricing varies significantly based on restaurant type:

Fine Dining (Michelin-Starred): AED 400-600+ per person (Erth Restaurant)

Mid-Range Traditional Restaurants: AED 100-200 per person (Al Fanar, Al Mrzab)

Casual/Budget Eateries: AED 40-100 per person

Family-Style Communal Platters (serves 6-8): AED 400-1,000+ depending on restaurant quality

Money-saving tips: Order at off-peak hours for discounts, group dining offers better value, neighborhood restaurants offer authenticity at lower prices.

Limited but growing options exist for experiencing Emirati cuisine outside the UAE:

International Availability: International airports sell packaged Emirati spice blends and dates. Specialty Middle Eastern shops in major cities carry select ingredients.

Pre-Made Products: Packaged dates, spice blends, date syrup, and specialty sweets are increasingly available globally.

Challenges: Freshness degrades during shipping, customs restrictions on some countries, high international shipping costs, limited selection compared to local UAE shops.

Best Approach: Visit UAE directly for authentic experience, take online cooking classes with Emirati chefs, source ingredients locally at Middle Eastern shops, or subscribe to international Emirati-inspired meal kits.

Signature Spice Profile: Emirati cuisine emphasizes saffron and cardamom to unusual degrees, creating flavors distinctly different from Lebanese or Syrian cuisines.

Dried Limes (Loomi) – Unique Ingredient: This distinctive ingredient adds a unique tangy, bitter note found less prominently in other Arab cuisines.

Culinary Diversity: Emirati cuisine uniquely blends Bedouin, seafaring, and agricultural traditions in equal measure, whereas most Arab cuisines emphasize one tradition.

Slow-Cooking Emphasis: Emirati traditions emphasize slow-cooked, low-and-slow preparations central to identity, reflecting Bedouin camp cooking traditions.

Hospitality-Centered Culture: Food in Emirati culture carries explicit ceremonial and hospitality weight through the majlis concept and Arabic coffee service.

Yes, all traditional Emirati food is strictly Halal, adhering to Islamic dietary principles:

No Pork Products – Ever: Pork is explicitly forbidden in Islamic dietary law. Emirati cuisine contains zero pork in any form.

No Alcohol: Alcohol is completely forbidden. Emirati cooking uses fruit juices, vinegar, and spice-infused broths instead of wine.

Humane Animal Slaughter: Halal meat requires specific slaughter methods following Islamic guidelines with trained individuals.

99% of Dubai/Abu Dhabi Restaurants are Halal: The UAE is an Islamic country with Muslim-majority population. Nearly all restaurants serve Halal food.

Peace of Mind for All Diners: Whether for religious observance, ethical preferences, or health concerns, Emirati cuisine’s Halal foundation means complete transparency in preparation and ingredient sourcing.

Emirati cuisine has undergone significant evolution through distinct phases:

Phase 1: Traditional Era (Pre-1971 & Early Years) – Ingredient-focused, seasonally dependent, slow-cooked, community-centered, Bedouin-influenced.

Phase 2: Modernization Era (1971-2000) – Kitchen appliances replaced open fires, international ingredients became accessible, restaurant culture developed, techniques evolved while maintaining traditional recipes.

Phase 3: Fusion & Innovation Era (2000-Present) – Fine dining reinterpretation by Michelin-starred chefs, deliberate culinary pride in Emirati cuisine, global influences applied to traditional ingredients, farm-to-table movement emphasis.

What Has Remained Constant: Spice profiles (saffron, cardamom, loomi), communal dining emphasis, hospitality values, key dishes (Khuzi, Machboos, Harees), and seasonal celebrations.

Modern Paradox: Contemporary Emirati food culture embraces tension between modernization and tradition, global and national identity, creating a cuisine simultaneously ancient and contemporary.