This section covers the common dishes eaten during breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Yemen. And yes, we included Yemeni-favorite desserts as well! There is a bonus section at the bottom that talks about what some of these dishes mean in Arabic. — Joshua P.
A Tasty Yemeni Start to the Day
In Yemen, breakfast is usually a full meal that is guaranteed to leave one feeling satisfied and full! This breakfast menu is popular not only in Yemen but in other neighboring countries as well.
Qishr coffee and tea are always served during breakfast, and in true Yemeni fashion, they are spiced with ginger and cardamom.
Dishes that are popular for a Yemeni breakfast are Masoob, Fatoot, Ful Medames, Murtabak, Shakshouka, Malawah bread, and Bint Al-Sahn.
Ful Medames - A savory dish of mashed fava beans, mixed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Sometimes it is topped off with eggs, herbs, or onions.
A Hearty Meal of Connection
Like the earlier meal, lunch in Yemen is a full meal that is guaranteed to leave one feeling well-nourished—if that person thought they too much for breakfast or had little time to. For Yemenis, lunch is the most important day because it is when they can have quality time with one another, which is especially important for families.
Lahoh Sana'ani flatbread and Yemeni honeycomb bread are always served during lunch, as it is common to eat lunch dishes with these breads.
Dishes that are popular for a Yemeni lunch are Chicken Mandi, Saltah with Lahoh Sana’ani flatbread, Red lentil soup, Lamb Haneeth, and Shafoot.
Comfort on a Plate: Winding Down Yemeni Style
Unlike the earlier two meals, dinner in Yemen is on the lighter side of things. For example, if dinner is to be had, it is made from leftovers from lunch or snacks. This cultural trait explains why Yemen is so sustainable in terms of food waste. Similar to lunchtime, dinnertime too is a important time for spending time with family.
Common snacks eaten are Sambusa, Masoob, Asida, and Murtabak.
Sambusa - A crispy pastry stuffed with meat, potatoes, or lentils. Similar to its South Asian counterpart, Samosa.
Yummy Yemeni Satisfaction
Common desserts are Masoob, Basbousa, Balah El Sham, Fatah, and Areekah.
Masoob - A sweet banana pudding filled with cream, honey, and nuts. In other words, it's Yemen's take on banana bread pudding! It is perfect for both
Balah El Sham - A fried pastry drizzled in syrup—the Middle East's version of churros!
What do some of these Dishes mean in Arabic?
Fatoot: soaked bread
Ful Medames: stewed fava beans
Murtabak: folded/layered
Shakshouka: mixture
Malawah bread: twisted/the rolled one
Bint al Sahn: Daughter of the Plate
Lamb Haneeth: slow-cooked
Asida: to twist/to stir
Basabousa: soft/tender
Balah El Sham: Dates of the Levant
Fatah: crumbled/broken bread