In this blog we are going to discuss why you need to find the right restaurant in Abu Dhabi, to truly enjoy the unique taste & flavor of this popular dish. Originally believed to have originated in Yemen, it gained popularity across the Gulf region, and from there on, all around the world. Its popularity is comparable to Biryani, from Indian Cuisine. Each country in the Gulf Region has its own take on this traditional dish, giving it unique tastes and flavors, however, the techniques used to prepare the dish is largely the same.
The unique taste of mandi comes from how the meat and rice are cooked. When it comes to the selection of meat, lamb, camel, goat, or chicken is used. It all begins with the meat being left to marinate with a unique spice mix, called Hawaij in Arabic. This is a mixture of many spices, including black pepper, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, cloves, and cinnamon. Different cultures have different iterations of spices, however, they usually carry a lot of similarities between each other. The spices are added to the meat and left to marinate while the rice is being prepared. Chicken broth is used with the spice mix to semi-cook the rice, usually a long-grain like Basmati. After which, the meat and rice are transferred to an underground pit called a tandoor, also called طابون (taboon) in arabic.
The tandoor is referred to as an underground pit, where charcoal or wood is lit. Here, the meat is then suspended above the rice and left to slow cook. The fat from the meat melts and mixes with the rice as it is being cooked. This method of cooking is what gives the dish its unique taste & dewy texture. Mandi is usually considered a “main course” meal and is usually served at special events, like Eid and Weddings. Despite the immense popularity of this dish, it is not made the same everywhere. Differences in quality, taste, flavor, and texture can vary depending on where you get your Mandi from. This is a fact that is not only related to Mandi but also other traditional Arabic dishes like Madhbi, Majboos, Kabsa, etc.
Filtering through them all is a time-consuming process. In times like these, it’s worth looking for traditional restaurants that customers have come to know, like, and trust for years. A good example is Al Mandi & Al Madhbi House. It is a chain of restaurants that has many branches in Abu Dhabi.
They are a great choice to rely on to experience and enjoy the authentic taste of what the Arabian Cuisine has to offer. Finding the best place to experience the unique taste of traditionally made Mandi is not an easy task. A quick google search for “traditional mandi restaurant in abu dhabi” will give you thousands of results.
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