7 cuisines you need to taste for foodgasm heaven

So you’re in Dubai and like everyone else, you love to eat, eat and eat again. Of course, you frequent the regular faves – French, Italian, Japanese, Thai, American, Indian and Lebanese but this post will dare you to zip out of your comfort zone and give your taste buds a treat! Here’s a list of seven cuisines that you need to try right this moment!

1.SLAVIC

 

 

Honey Cake. This is probably one of the most loved desserts of Slavic descent and a lot of you probably do not even know that this lovely cake came from that region. If you are in Dubai, I urge you to give this cuisine a try because my recent discovery (courtesy of Vesna restaurant) is probably one of the most unforgettable meals I’ve had in months. Hunt for Borsch, Olivier Salad and Chicken Fritters.

2.PERSIAN

 

 

If you like kebabs then you will definitely adore the Chelo and Joojeh Kebabs served with buttery multi-colored rice. Any decent Persian restaurant in town (like Iran Zamin) will serve a daily rice dish with a special stew of the day and I guarantee the combination of flavours will definitely transport you to a different era.

3.FILIPINO

 

 

Notorious for Balut (boiled duck embryo) and cow’s balls, you should know that there’s more to Filipino cuisine than the exotic stuff or deep fried pork ears. I would probably recommend checking out the Philippine seafood joints in Dubai for grilled fish, shrimp, crabs and squid at dirt cheap prices. Dampa restaurant behind Deira City Center serves seafood with unlimited rice and iced teas, while lots of other places offer Boodle Fights where a ton of seafood and rice is dumped on top of a banana leaf, which you have to eat with your bare hands. I’m sure those not familiar with the concept can request utensils (yes, please!)

4.HONG KONG

 

 

I had this misconception that Hong Kong cuisine is similar to Chinese cuisine then I discovered Lan Kwai Fong, a quaint little restaurant near the American Hospital and I was a convert. The peking duck, crispy noodles and dimsums are to die for!

5. KOREAN

 

 

I was never a fan of Kimchi so I never imagined that I will be a fan of Korean Food. However, I fell completely in love with Bibimbap and Korean Barbecue. Healthy eaters will rejoice too because of the fresh, balanced meal options available.

6. PERUVIAN

 

The advent of trendy joints such as The Act and Coya has put Peruvian cuisine into the spotlight and yes, foodies are paying attention. The food may be on the pricey side but the burst of flavours it gives is definitely worth it.

7. EMARATI

 

 

My first taste of Middle Eastern cuisine in Dubai was courtesy of the humble shawarma but this is not in any way an authentic reflection of Emarati cuisine. So what is Emarati cuisine? One of the newest restaurant is Aseelah in the old Dubai creek area. The place is a very modern in terms of its ambiance but uses Emarati flavours and ingredients in the menu. I personally opted for the camel burger trio which is a definite must-try.