Ramadan Staple · Wheat & Meat Porridge

Harees

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Harees was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2023 — a rare honor shared across several Gulf nations.

Harees is a slow-cooked porridge of cracked wheat and tender chicken or lamb, pounded and beaten for hours until the wheat and meat meld into a smooth, buttery paste. Street vendors and Ramadan food stalls ladle it into bowls and finish it with a pool of melted ghee, cinnamon, and sometimes crispy fried onions.

Why it's made this way: Harees is traditionally prepared in huge batches for community gatherings and weddings across the Gulf, and in 2023 UNESCO added it to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage — a rare distinction for a single dish shared by several nations.