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.

Qishr - A hot cup of coffee common in Yemeni food culture. Traditionally, it is made from the dried husks of coffee cherries. It's served during all three meals of the day!

Dishes that are popular for a Yemeni breakfast are MasoobFatoot, 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. 

Bint Al-Sahn - A layered pastry drizzled in honey and topped with black cumin seeds. 

A Hearty Meal of Connection

Like the earlier meal, lunch in Yemen is a full meal that is guaranteed to leave one feeling well-nourishedif 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.

Yemeni honeycomb bread - A soft, doughy bread filled with cheese and finished with syrup or honey. A great complement for lunch meals and drinks.

Dishes that are popular for a Yemeni lunch are Chicken Mandi, Saltah with Lahoh Sana’ani flatbread, Red lentil soup, Lamb Haneeth, and Shafoot.

Saltah - A stew made of meat, vegetables, and spices. It is commonly topped with fenugreek paste. (National Dish)

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.

Murtabak - A pancake-like flatbread filled with meat, eggs, and onions. A common street food in Yemen.

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!

Basbousa - A square-shaped cake soaked in syrup and topped with almonds. It's a common dessert in the Middle East.

Areekah - A warm dish consisting of a mix of bread, honey, ghee, and cream.  

What do some of these Dishes mean in Arabic?

Fatootsoaked bread

Ful Medamesstewed fava beans

Murtabak: folded/layered

Shakshoukamixture

Malawah bread: twisted/the rolled one

Bint al Sahn: Daughter of the Plate

Lamb Haneeth: slow-cooked

Asidato twist/to stir

Basabousa: soft/tender

Balah El Sham: Dates of the Levant

Fatahcrumbled/broken bread