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Yemen Cuisine

Asia · Western Asia

51 recipes

Signature Yemen Dishes

🥗 Ingredient:

Bint Al Sahn

Bint Al Sahn, meaning 'daughter of the plate,' is a beloved Yemeni sweet bread characterized by its numerous thin, flaky layers, rich buttery flavor, and a generous drizzle of honey. Traditionally served for breakfast or as a special treat, it's often enjoyed warm with a cup of tea.

Yemen·Medium·45 minutes

Luqaimat

Luqaimat are small, golden-brown, deep-fried dumplings that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are a popular sweet treat across the Middle East, especially during Ramadan, and are typically served drizzled with date syrup or honey.

Yemen·Hard·3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes (plus marinating)

Mandi

A traditional Yemeni dish featuring tender, slow-cooked meat (typically lamb or chicken) infused with aromatic spices and a distinctive smoky flavor, served over fluffy basmati rice. Traditionally cooked in an underground oven (tandoor), this recipe provides methods for achieving a similar smoky essence at home. It's a celebratory dish perfect for gatherings.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours

Yemeni Aseed with Chicken Maraq

Aseed is a comforting, dough-like staple in Yemen, traditionally made from wheat flour and water. It's often served with a flavorful chicken broth (maraq) poured into a well made in the center of the aseed. This dish is hearty, filling, and a symbol of Yemeni hospitality.

Yemen·Medium·50 minutes

Yemeni Beef Samosas

Crispy, golden-fried pastries filled with a savory mixture of spiced ground beef, onions, and herbs. These sambusas are a popular appetizer or snack, especially during Ramadan, and are a staple in Yemeni households.

Yemen·Easy·35 minutes

Yemeni Chicken Liver

A popular Yemeni breakfast dish, 'Kebda' features tender chicken livers sautéed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices. It's often served with traditional Yemeni bread (khobz).

Yemen·Medium·1 hour - 1 hour 10 minutes

Yemeni Chicken Madbi

Madbi is a popular Yemeni dish where chicken is marinated in a flavorful spice blend and then grilled over a special grill made of stones or a grill pan. The result is a smoky, tender, and incredibly aromatic chicken.

Yemen·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes

Yemeni Chicken Mandi Rice

Aromatic rice cooked with chicken and a special blend of spices, often baked or grilled to achieve a smoky flavor. While Mandi is a well-known dish, this variation focuses on the rice component often served alongside marinated chicken.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours

Yemeni Chicken Mouhshi

Whole chicken stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and spices, then slow-cooked until tender and aromatic. This dish is a celebratory centerpiece, often prepared for special occasions.

Yemen·Hard·2 hours

Yemeni Chicken Mouhshi Rice

A flavorful Yemeni rice dish where chicken is stuffed with a spiced rice and herb mixture, then baked or cooked until tender. This dish showcases the rich culinary heritage of Yemen, with aromatic spices and tender chicken.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 35 minutes

Yemeni Chicken Moukhbaza

A flavorful and aromatic Yemeni dish featuring tender chicken cooked with a blend of spices, often served with rice or flatbread. Moukhbaza refers to a type of stew or braised dish.

Yemen·Medium·50 minutes

Yemeni Chicken Muttabaq

A savory Yemeni flatbread stuffed with spiced minced chicken, onions, and herbs. Muttabaq, meaning 'folded' in Arabic, is a popular street food and a delightful meal.

Yemen·Medium·45 minutes

Yemeni Chicken Shawarma Wraps

While shawarma is popular across the Middle East, the Yemeni version often features a unique blend of spices and a distinct preparation method. These wraps are filled with tender, marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful tahini sauce.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 40 minutes

Yemeni Fahsa

Fahsa is a vibrant and flavorful Yemeni stew, often prepared in a traditional stone pot called a 'madra'. It typically features tender lamb or beef, simmered with aromatic spices, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, and is famously topped with a frothy fenugreek mixture (hulba).

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 50 minutes

Yemeni Fasolia bil Lahm

A comforting and aromatic Yemeni stew featuring tender chunks of lamb cooked with white beans (fasolia) in a rich, spiced tomato broth. It's a staple in Yemeni households, often served with rice or bread.

Yemen·Easy·20 minutes

Yemeni Fatah

Yemen Fatah is a comforting and hearty traditional Middle Eastern dish made from pieces of flatbread soaked in savory stock, creating a soft, porridge-like texture. It's typically drizzled with aromatic clarified butter infused with garlic and spices, and finished with a touch of vinegar and fresh herbs.

Yemen·Easy·30 minutes

Yemeni Fattoush Salad

A vibrant and refreshing Middle Eastern salad featuring a mix of crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and crunchy toasted pita bread, all tossed in a tangy sumac and lemon dressing. While Fattoush is popular across the Levant, this version incorporates Yemeni culinary nuances.

Yemen·Easy·1 hour

Yemeni Foul Medames

A hearty and flavorful fava bean stew, a staple breakfast dish in Yemen, often seasoned with cumin, chili, and lemon, and served with bread.

Yemen·Easy·1 hour

Yemeni Foul Nabulsi

A hearty and flavorful fava bean stew, inspired by Palestinian Foul Nabulsi but with distinct Yemeni spices and preparation methods. It's typically served for breakfast or as a light meal.

Yemen·Easy·45 minutes

Yemeni Kebab Halabi

Kebab Halabi, also known as Aleppo Kebab, is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring spiced ground meat (typically lamb or beef) formed into kebabs and grilled. It's often served with a tangy tomato and onion sauce, making it a popular and satisfying meal.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 5 minutes

Yemeni Kheema bil Basal

A flavorful and aromatic Yemeni dish featuring spiced minced meat cooked with a generous amount of caramelized onions. It's often served with rice or flatbread.

Yemen·Easy·40 minutes

Yemeni Kheema bil Bayd

A hearty and flavorful Yemeni dish of spiced ground meat (kheema) cooked with eggs, often served for breakfast or as a light meal. It's a comforting blend of savory and rich.

Yemen·Easy·1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes

Yemeni Kidney Bean Stew

Fasolia is a hearty and comforting stew made with kidney beans, tomatoes, and aromatic Yemeni spices. It's a staple in Yemeni households, often served with flatbread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 10 minutes

Yemeni Kunafa

A sweet and savory cheese pastry soaked in a sweet syrup, often flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. This Yemeni version often incorporates a unique blend of spices and a distinct cheese preparation.

Yemen·Medium·2.5-3.5 hours

Yemeni Lahoh with Honey

Lahoh is a spongy, pancake-like bread with a unique, slightly tangy flavor, often served with honey for a sweet and savory breakfast or snack. Its characteristic holes are a result of the fermentation and cooking process.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours 30 minutes

Yemeni Lamb and Lentil Stew

A robust and deeply flavorful stew combining tender lamb with hearty lentils, simmered in a spiced broth. This dish is a nourishing and satisfying meal, perfect for cooler weather.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 55 minutes

Yemeni Lamb and Okra Stew

A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender lamb and okra simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with aromatic Yemeni spices. This dish is a comforting staple, often served with rice or flatbread.

Yemen·Medium·3 hours 30 minutes - 5 hours 30 minutes

Yemeni Lamb Haneeth

Yemeni Lamb Haneeth is a traditional dish of slow-roasted lamb, marinated in a blend of aromatic spices until incredibly tender and flavorful. It's often cooked for hours until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and typically served with fragrant basmati rice.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours

Yemeni Lamb Kabsa

A fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with tender lamb, aromatic spices, and often garnished with nuts and raisins. Kabsa is a staple in Yemeni cuisine, celebrated for its rich taste and comforting nature.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 5 minutes

Yemeni Lamb Kabsah Rice

A fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with tender lamb and a rich blend of spices, often considered a celebratory meal in Yemen. This version focuses on the aromatic rice component often served alongside various meats.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours

Yemeni Lamb Kabsah with Rice

A fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with tender lamb, aromatic spices, and vegetables. Kabsah is a staple in Yemeni cuisine, often served during special occasions and gatherings.

Yemen·Medium·35 minutes

Yemeni Lamb Kofta

Tender and flavorful lamb kofta, seasoned with a blend of aromatic Yemeni spices and herbs, grilled to perfection. These kofta are a staple in Yemeni cuisine, often served with flatbreads and a variety of dips or sauces.

Yemen·Hard·4.5-5.5 hours

Yemeni Lamb Madfoon

Madfoon is a traditional Yemeni dish where a whole lamb or goat is slow-cooked in an underground oven (tandoor) or a specially constructed pit. The meat becomes incredibly tender and infused with smoky flavors. This recipe adapts the method for a conventional oven, focusing on achieving a similar tenderness and depth of flavor.

Yemen·Hard·3 hours 45 minutes

Yemeni Lamb Mouhshi

A rich and savory dish featuring tender lamb stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and spices, then slow-cooked to perfection. This recipe focuses on oven preparation for ease.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours 25 minutes

Yemeni Lamb Moukhbaza

A rich and aromatic lamb stew, slow-cooked in a savory tomato and spice broth, offering a deeply satisfying flavor profile characteristic of Yemeni cuisine.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours 55 minutes

Yemeni Lamb Shorba

A hearty and flavorful Yemeni lamb soup, rich with spices and tender lamb. Shorba is a general term for soup in many Middle Eastern cuisines, and this Yemeni version is particularly robust.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 30 minutes

Yemeni Lentil and Meatball Stew

A comforting and nutritious stew featuring tender red lentils simmered with aromatic spices and small, flavorful meatballs. This dish is a wholesome meal, perfect for a chilly evening.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 5 minutes

Yemeni Lentil and Vegetable Stew

A hearty and flavorful stew made with red lentils, a medley of vegetables, and aromatic Yemeni spices. This dish is often enjoyed for breakfast or as a comforting meal any time of day, showcasing the simple yet profound flavors of Yemeni home cooking.

Yemen·Easy·1 hour

Yemeni Lentil Soup

A hearty and comforting Yemeni lentil soup, seasoned with aromatic spices and often served with a squeeze of lemon and crispy bread. It's a staple, especially during cooler months or as a starter.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours 30 minutes (including resting time)

Yemeni Malawach

Malawach is a flaky, layered flatbread, often described as a crispy pancake, that is a beloved staple in Yemeni cuisine. It's traditionally served for breakfast or as a snack, often drizzled with honey or served with savory accompaniments like tomato salsa.

Yemen·Medium·2 hours

Yemeni Maqluba

Maqluba, meaning 'upside-down' in Arabic, is a visually stunning and flavorful rice dish layered with tender chicken, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It's cooked in a pot and then dramatically inverted onto a serving platter, revealing a beautiful mosaic of ingredients.

Yemen·Medium·50 minutes

Yemeni Marag Al Samak

A fragrant and flavorful fish stew, Marag Al Samak is a staple in coastal Yemeni regions. It features tender pieces of fish simmered in a rich tomato-based broth with warming spices, fenugreek, and a hint of tanginess from tamarind.

Yemen·Medium·30 minutes

Yemeni Masoub

A decadent and sweet Yemeni dessert or breakfast dish made from mashed ripe bananas, shredded flatbread (malawach or roqqaq), honey, and often topped with cream and nuts.

Yemen·Medium·40 minutes

Yemeni Mutafayyah

Mutafayyah is a popular Adeni dish featuring fish fillets cooked in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce with fenugreek. It's typically served with South Yemeni bread (khobz) or rice.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 55 minutes

Yemeni Okra and Lamb Stew

A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender lamb and tender okra simmered in a rich tomato-based broth, infused with aromatic Yemeni spices. This dish is a comforting staple, often served with rice or bread.

Yemen·Easy·15 minutes

Yemeni Qishr

Qishr is a traditional Yemeni beverage made from coffee husks (cascara), ginger, and sometimes other spices. It's a warm, aromatic, and slightly sweet drink, often served as an alternative to coffee or tea.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 55 minutes

Yemeni Sabah Al Khair

A hearty and flavorful breakfast stew, often made with lamb or beef, vegetables, and a blend of aromatic spices. It's designed to be a nourishing start to the day.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 55 minutes

Yemeni Saltah

Saltah is considered the national dish of Yemen. It's a hearty and flavorful stew typically made with lamb or beef, vegetables, and a rich broth, often thickened with fenugreek and served with a dollop of spicy herb sauce called 'sahawiq'.

Yemen·Medium·45 minutes

Yemeni Shakshuka with Foul

A hearty and flavorful dish combining the classic shakshuka (eggs poached in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce) with the addition of mashed fava beans (foul), creating a richer and more substantial meal.

Yemen·Medium·1 hour 10 minutes

Yemeni Sweet Pastry

Sabaya, also known as Bint Al-Sahn, is a delicate, layered sweet pastry from Yemen. It features thin, flaky layers brushed with butter and often served warm with honey, making it a popular breakfast or dessert item.

Yemen·Medium·45 minutes

Yemeni Zahw wa Batheg

A delightful Yemeni breakfast or snack featuring a sweet, fluffy pancake-like bread (Zahw) served with a rich, date-infused syrup (Batheg). It's a comforting and flavorful dish, often enjoyed with qishr (a spiced coffee drink).

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