Mandi and Madhbi Rice: What's the Difference?

 Most of us are familiar with how popular mandi & madhbi in Abu Dhabi is. Rice is one of the most important crops in Yemen and has been cultivated there for centuries. It is a staple food in the Yemeni diet. Rice is also an important part of Yemeni culture and tradition and plays a significant role in social and religious ceremonies. Rice & Meat dishes like Mandi & Madhbi play a crucial role in marking these special occasions.

What sets these dishes apart from the rest?

Mandi (and subsequently, Madhbi) is a dish that originated from the Hadhramaut region in Yemen. The main highlight of the dish lies in the unique way of cooking the meat with a special blend of spices. The meat used often ranges from lamb, camel, goat, or chicken. The mixture of spices is usually called Hawaij, which often includes a mix of various spices such as cumin, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

These species are used to prepare a marinade to marinate the meat in, which is the same for Mandi & Madhbi. The spices are usually rubbed into the meat directly, or mixed alongside olive oil & lime juice and then applied to the meat generously & set aside for a few hours, preferably overnight.

The difference between Mandi & Madhbi lies in the technique in how the meat is cooked.

How do you cook Mandi?

Mandi is traditionally cooked in a special oven called a tandoor, which is also referred as an underground oven, a hole that is dug underground and lined with clay. The meat is first slow cooked, and then broth is used to cook the rice. Here, the chicken is suspended above the pot of rice, and cooked indirectly with charcoal.

How do you cook Madhbi?

Madhbi is cooked similarly, however, unlike Mandi, the meat for Madhbi is cooked directly under hot charcoal stones.

What is the difference in taste?

Mandi, in arabic means “dew”, which refers to the moist & dewy texture of the meat, when cooked. While Madhbi has a more crispy, smoky flavor to the meat. The spices used, in conjunction with the way in how the meat & rice is cooked, gives the dish a unique character profile that has gained fans all over the world.

Which type of dish is more expensive?

Both dishes are usually prepared using long grain rice like Basmati rice. The cost of these dishes usually vary from region to region, however a similar theme can be observed throughout; chicken is one of the most affordable options to choose from, while lamb & goat meat are more preferred due to the more appetizing taste. Camel Mandi & Madhbi is usually on the more expensive side of the cuisine due to the cost of the meat, however, it has it’s own set of fans as well.

Regardless of the type of meat, you’re a fan of when it comes to enjoying a delicious plate of this wonderful dish, there’s no better place to experience it than a traditional Yemeni restaurant. There are few arabic restaurant in abu dhabi like Al Mandi & Madhbi House, which are known for their authentic taste and affordable prices. If you’re on the lookout to try some delicious Mandi and Madhbi in Abu Dhabi, they’re a great place to dine at.