Mutabbaq samak
Kuwait's spiced fish on fish-stock rice
Think of it as: Like a paella where the fish sits on top, Gulf-style
Rice cooked in fish stock. Genius.
What does it taste like?
Warm spices, savory fish and a sour hint of dried lime.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFluffy rice, flaky fish
What is it?
Spiced fish, grilled or fried, laid over rice cooked in the stock made from that same fish. It's often named as Kuwait's national dish.
How locals eat it
Served on a big platter shared by the family.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇰🇼Kuwait
CapitalKuwait City
Populationabout 5 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesOil, Petrochemicals, Finance
HelloAs-salamu alaykum (Arabic)
CurrencyKuwaiti dinar
And JapanAfter the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Kuwait donated 5 million barrels of crude oil to Japan.
Fun factThe Kuwaiti dinar is the highest-valued currency unit in the world.
The flag🇰🇼 Green, white and red bands with a black trapezoid, the four Pan-Arab colors.
From Tokyoabout 8,300 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Kuwait City
Getting there13+ hours with connectionsrough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cooler months, November to March. Also tryMachboos (spiced rice)Gers ogaily (saffron cake)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cooler months, November to March. Also tryMachboos (spiced rice)Gers ogaily (saffron cake)
🇰🇼 Sounds & life in Kuwait
السلام عليكمHello（As-salamu alaykum (Arabic)）
Arabic
Arabic
Right now…
AnthemAl-Nasheed Al-Watani
MusicKhaleeji Gulf Arab pop driven by handclaps
Listen on YouTube SportFootball
MusicKhaleeji Gulf Arab pop driven by handclaps
Listen on YouTube SportFootball
Ingredients
- 2 white fish fillets (e.g. pomfret)
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 onion
- 1 tsp each turmeric, cumin, coriander
- 1 dried lime (loomi)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp oil
Can't find it? A squeeze of lemon can stand in for dried lime.
How to make it (one way)
- Rub the fish with spices and salt
- Grill or fry the fish and set aside
- Fry onion and garlic, add water and dried lime to make a fish stock
- Cook the rice in that stock
- Top the rice with the fish