Food, Dining, & Drinks in Kuwait
Historic Diet
Kuwaiti Food - Hummus
Hummus
Since Kuwait is primarily desert, the number of foods they have available locally is severely limited. Due to this, the historic diet is almost wholly limited to animals, their byproducts, and a small number of fruits or vegetables. The most common land animal in the region is the camel and camels have been used for their milk for centuries, but also used for meat on special occasions. More prevalent in the historic diet is the sea life in the surrounding waters, which include grouper, mackerel, nagroor, shrimp, crab, and lobster among other animals. Among the plant life the only true source of food is the date.
Culinary Influences
For most of history there were few alterations to the Kuwaiti diet as the people, primarily the Bedouin desert-dwellers ate nothing but dates and camel milk, plus whatever could be found. Later in history, as the land became a trading post the diet was substantially changed due to the influx of foreigners.
The most important influence on Kuwait's food came with the arrival of other Arab people as Levantine (also known as Lebanese) cuisine arrived. This brought hummus, tabbouleh, and spices that are now common in Kuwait.
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The region also changed its food due to the influence from others who came and went with the trade. The Persians, Indians, and even the Europeans from the Mediterranean arrived with new ingredients and influences. This led to the greater prevalence of rice in the dishes and again new spices and ingredients arrived in greater numbers.
In the modern age foods from abroad have again altered Kuwait's diet, but not so much in the sense of changing the traditional foods as in the addition of new foods. Most traditional dishes remain the same, but "ethnic" foods are now more common and available, including Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Italian, and American foods. This is growing in popularity partially due to the fact that people from these countries live and work in Kuwait and partially due to the fact that the Kuwaitis enjoy these foreign flavors.
Staple Foods
Hummus: a dip consisting of mashed chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini, garlic, and lemon
Rice: numerous types of rice exist and it tends to be either a side or a base for many dishes
Tabbouleh: a "salad" generally made of parsley, bulgur, tomatoes, garlic, and lemon
Regional Variations, Specialties, & Unique Dishes
Falafel: fried chickpeas (garbanzo beans) balls served with vegetables in bread
Kebab: numerous styles exist, but usually with a base of roasted lamb or chicken and vegetables in pita bread
Machboos: the national dish of rice topped with chicken, lamb, or fish and sometimes also a tomato sauce
Qouzi (or ghoozi): grilled lamb stuffed with meat, rice, eggs, onions, and spices
Dining Etiquette
When eating in Kuwait there are a couple etiquette rules you must know and follow since Kuwait is a Muslim country. First, dress on the conservatively side (see our Kuwait Culture Page for more details). Second, in conservative homes and even some restaurants, it is not acceptable to eat with a person of the opposite sex unless it is your child, sibling, or spouse. While this is uncommon in Kuwait today, to some conservative Muslims, and in some restaurants, this is important so observe the local restaurant's situation and follow a local's lead. Since sometimes men dine only with men and women only with women, don't bring a guest of the opposite sex to any meal unless you are specifically invited to do so.
Try to arrive on time for a meal and if eating in a local's home remove your shoes at the door if others have done so. Greet the elders first then everyone else by shaking each person's hand individually. Prior to sitting down you may be asked to wash your hands or if others wash their hands, follow their lead. Let your host seat you and