Muhammar
Date-sweetened rice made for fish
Think of it as: Like rice pudding's savory cousin, eaten with grilled fish
Sweet rice with fish. Trust the process.
What does it taste like?
Gently sweet and fragrant, balanced by salty fish.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFluffy, separate grains
What is it?
Bahrain's sweet rice, cooked with date syrup or sugar and perfumed with cardamom and saffron. It's traditionally served with grilled or fried fish.
How locals eat it
Paired with grilled or fried fish, often safi (rabbitfish), and served at celebrations.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇧🇭Bahrain
CapitalManama
Populationabout 1.6 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesOil and aluminum, Finance, Tourism
HelloAs-salamu alaykum (Arabic)
CurrencyBahraini dinar
Fun factAn island nation linked to Saudi Arabia by the 25 km King Fahd Causeway; it also hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The flag🇧🇭 The five white points stand for the Five Pillars of Islam.
From Tokyoabout 8,270 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Manama
Getting there13+ hours with connectionsrough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cooler months, November to March. Also tryMachboos (spiced rice)Bahraini halwa
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cooler months, November to March. Also tryMachboos (spiced rice)Bahraini halwa
🇧🇭 Sounds & life in Bahrain
السلام عليكمHello（As-salamu alaykum (Arabic)）
Arabic
Arabic
Right now…
AnthemBahrainona
MusicKhaleeji Gulf Arab pop driven by handclaps
Listen on YouTube SportFootball World HeritageQal'at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun and more
MusicKhaleeji Gulf Arab pop driven by handclaps
Listen on YouTube SportFootball World HeritageQal'at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun and more
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 tbsp date syrup (or sugar)
- 4 cardamom pods
- Pinch of saffron
- 1 tsp rose water
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt
Can't find it? Molasses or dark brown sugar can stand in for date syrup.
How to make it (one way)
- Rinse the rice and soak 30 min
- Parboil in salted water and drain
- Melt butter and date syrup in a pot and return the rice
- Add cardamom and saffron soaked in rose water
- Cover and steam on low for 20 min