7 Iconic Kuwaiti Dishes You Need to Taste

Kuwait may be famous for its modern skyline or luxury lifestyle. Still, its food has a much older, richer history, as traditional Kuwaiti cuisine is shaped by centuries of trade with places like India and Persia. This rich history resulted in flavourful, comforting food meant to be shared.

In Kuwait, meals are about gathering around large platters, serving guests generously and turning everyday dishes into moments of connection. As said, to understand the culture, you must start with food, which is why we are sharing a list of 7 must-try dishes when you’re in Kuwait.

7 Traditional Kuwaiti Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss

These are the traditional dishes that truly define the home cooking in Kuwait, as each one carries history, comfort and serious flavours:

1. Machboos

If there’s one dish that represents Kuwait, then it is Machboos. This fragrant rice dish is cooked with chicken, lamb, or fish, then seasoned with a blend of spices and dried lime.

Cooked at low heat, the rice absorbs all the rich flavours from the meat and broth, making every bite deeply satisfying. It is a staple in Kuwaiti homes and is often served at family gatherings, so trying Machboos must be on your ‘To-eat’ list while visiting Kuwait.

2. Mutabbaq Samak

This dish shows how closely connected Kuwait is to the sea, featuring rice cooked in a flavourful fish stock, served with fried saltwater fish (mostly Zubaidi/Silver Pomfret), which is highly prized.

The rice is soft and aromatic, while the fish adds a crispness and savoury layer to the dish, making it a perfect mix of comfort and coastal tradition.

3. Quzi

It is the type of dish you bring out when there is something significant to celebrate, as it usually features slow-roasted lamb served over spiced rice, topped with raisins and nuts. Being a platter in itself, Quzi is often seen at weddings, feasts, and large family gatherings.

4. Margoog

Margoog is a dish that makes you feel right at home, made with a thick stew of vegetables, meat, and thin pieces of dough that cook directly in the broth. When everything simmers together, the flavours deepen, and the dough becomes soft and rich, making the dish hearty, filling and popular among traditional households.

5. Harees

This one dish is simple in ingredients but big on comfort and mild in flavours. Made from wheat and meat cooked together for hours, turning into a smooth, creamy dish that is often enjoyed during Ramadan and other special occasions. Harees' soft texture and warmth make it one of the most comforting dishes in Kuwaiti cuisine.

6. Jireesh

It is another rustic, satisfying wheat-based dish, made from crushed wheat slowly cooked with meat, onions, and mild spices. It is cooked for hours over low heat, turning into a thick, creamy soup with a slurry texture, then finished with fried onions or a drizzle of ghee on top. As Kuwaitis grew up eating this at home, they usually described the dish in 3 words: “Simple, hearty and satisfying”.

7. Tashreeb

Tashreeb is one of those dishes that surprises you with how good something so simple can taste. It is made with simple ingredients such as flatbreads and a rich meat, vegetable, and spice stew, so it may not look fancy, but what matters most is the taste, and that is heavenly.

Bonus: Popular Kuwaiti Sweets You Have to Try

When it comes to Kuwaiti sweets, they prove that fancy presentation has nothing to do with how good a dessert can be.

Here are 3 treats you should not leave without trying:

1. Luqaimat

It is made of small fried dough balls with a crispy exterior and a soft interior, then coated with date syrup or honey. It’s a Ramadan classic, served hot and shared with family.

2. Balaleet

Balaleet is made with sweet vermicelli noodles flavoured with sugar and cardamom, then topped with a thin savoury omelette. It is a very classic breakfast that makes every Kuwaiti feel at home.

3. Darabeel

Light, crunchy rolled wafers that are gently sweet and pair well with Arabic coffee. Being not a very heavy dessert, Kuwaitis love to serve it when guests come over, and conversations stretch for hours.

Where You Can Try Traditional Kuwaiti Food

If you want an authentic taste of Kuwait, then the experience matters as much as the dish, right? So, instead of sticking to food courts at the mall, you can explore the places where traditional cooking is still a relevant part of daily life. 

We made a list of the spots which can give you the whole experience:

• Souq Al Mubarakiya: One of the oldest markets in Kuwait, it is filled with small eateries serving Machboos, grilled meats, seafood, and traditional desserts in a lively atmosphere.
• Freej Swaeleh: It’s a well-known restaurant designed to look like an old Kuwaiti house, located in the heart of Kuwait’s city centre. The restaurant is famous for serving home-style dishes such as Harees and Machboos.
• Salmiya District: This area is filled with local spots serving generous portions of Kuwaiti and Middle Eastern dishes, loved by locals and tourists alike.

These places give you a real connection to Kuwaiti culture and everyday life, which completes the experience of trying traditional food.

A Taste of Kuwait You Can’t Forget

The food in Kuwait is more than just meals; it’s a story of family, tradition and flavours passed down for generations. So whenever you visit Kuwait, make sure to try these traditional dishes at local restaurants or family kitchens. Once you taste them, you will understand why Kuwaiti food isn’t just eaten but remembered and shared for a lifetime.