Experience Traditional Saudi Cuisine in Riyadh – A Traveler-Friendly Feast at Najd Village

If you have the opportunity to visit Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, be sure to try the local traditional cuisine. Among the many options, “Najd Village” is particularly recommended. This restaurant offers authentic Saudi dishes while maintaining an atmosphere that’s relatively accessible for foreign travelers. In this article, I’ll share my dining experience at Najd Village.

The Atmosphere at Najd Village

Najd Village is a restaurant themed after traditional villages from the Najd region in central Saudi Arabia. Upon entering, you’ll be captivated by the traditional Arabian interior design. The walls feature traditional decorations, and Arabian lamps hang from the ceiling.

You can experience the traditional dining style of sitting on carpets on the floor, but chairs and tables are also available for those who aren’t comfortable with floor seating. The staff members wear traditional attire and welcome guests with great hospitality.

Dining Report from Najd Village

During my visit to Najd Village, I ordered a special version of Kabsa, which is considered Saudi Arabia’s national dish. This variation is called Hashi Kabsa. “Hashi” means camel meat in Arabic, and as the name suggests, it’s a hearty dish made with camel meat.

A large piece of camel meat is placed on top of fragrant Basmati rice. The camel meat is slow-cooked until surprisingly tender, so much so that it can almost be cut with a spoon. The flavor is similar to beef but lighter, with a unique taste profile.

The aroma of spices is also impressive, with cumin, cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon harmonizing in perfect balance. The accompanying onions, tomatoes, and raisins add just the right amount of tanginess and sweetness to the overall dish.

Camel meat dishes are a rare experience that you can only authentically enjoy in Saudi Arabia. The unique taste and texture will surely become an unforgettable memory.

Traditional Flavor: Matazeez

The next dish I tried was Matazeez, a traditional Saudi home-cooked meal. It consists of flat dough pieces simmered in a tomato-based sauce with meat, vegetables, and spices. While it might visually resemble Japanese stewed udon noodles, the taste is completely different. The dough is made from whole wheat flour and has a distinctive chewy texture. The rich flavor of lamb, the tender texture of vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, and pumpkin, all harmonize well with the spicy sauce that beautifully brings everything together. Spices like cumin, cinnamon, and dried lime (loomi) are used, creating a fragrant dish.

Since most of the ingredients absorb the sauce, Matazeez has a consistency more like a stew than a soup. It was a heartwarming dish that gave me a taste of Saudi home cooking.

To conclude the meal, I enjoyed traditional Arabic coffee and dates. Arabic coffee has a completely different taste from regular coffee, with a unique aroma due to the addition of spices like cardamom and saffron. In particular, the “white Arabic coffee” made with lightly roasted beans is a Saudi specialty. I’ve covered this in detail in a previous article, so please check it out if you’re interested.

Final Thoughts

To sum up Najd Village’s appeal in one sentence: it offers authentic Saudi Arabian cuisine in a relatively relaxed atmosphere. While you can experience traditional decorations and dining styles, the restaurant is also unusually accommodating to foreign tourists by Saudi standards.

Features like English descriptions on the menu and staff who are attentive to foreign guests make this place accessible even for first-time visitors. The price range is also not as high as luxury restaurants, making it an affordable option for tourists. For travelers who want to deeply understand Saudi food culture, Najd Village is one of the best choices.

Najd Village has multiple locations, with three branches currently in Riyadh. This makes it perfect for a casual meal during your sightseeing. When touring Riyadh, be sure to visit Najd Village to experience the essence of traditional Saudi cuisine. The impressive Hashi Kabsa, the homey warmth of Matazeez, and the combination of Arabic coffee and dates will surely create unforgettable memories.