Where We Are Going Today: ‘Haldi’ in Jeddah

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Updated 24 September 2024
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Haldi’ in Jeddah

  • Soup fans will not be disappointed as Haldi’s variety ranges from murgh sajneki shorba, a flavorful chicken broth with Indian spices, to the seafood bisque known as seafood shorba, cooked with traditional Indian herbs

Located in Jeddah’s Rawdah district, Haldi offers an enjoyable dining experience that transports you straight to the heart of India.

With luxurious interiors that set the stage for the meal, Haldi’s atmosphere is both welcoming and elegant. The warm service paired with the bold flavors of Indian cuisine create a memorable dining experience.

Haldi’s extensive menu includes both classic dishes and innovative fusion creations, giving diners a range of options to explore, including a rotating selection of signature, seafood, and royal meals, encouraging guests to try something different each time they visit.

For starters, the salads offer a refreshing take on Indian flavors, such as the palak patta salad with crispy baby spinach and tamarind mint dressing, and the lamb seekh kebab salad with bell peppers and lemon dressing.

Soup fans will not be disappointed as Haldi’s variety ranges from murgh sajneki shorba, a flavorful chicken broth with Indian spices, to the seafood bisque known as seafood shorba, cooked with traditional Indian herbs.

Haldi takes its authentic Indian cuisine seriously while catering to individual preferences. Each dish can be tailored to your desired level of heat, from mild to intense.

For those who enjoy grilled dishes, Haldi offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The palak sikham puri, a pan-seared patty made with organic spinach and almonds, and the veg seekh kebab are excellent vegetarian choices.

Meat lovers will enjoy the bhatti da murgh, a yogurt-marinated chicken with tandoori spices, or the mutton kadhai, a succulent mutton dish with a rich symphony of spices.

For the main course, Haldi’s variety of curries and biryanis are must-tries. The chicken Hyderabadi biryani and mutton Lucknowi biryani are two standout dishes, while the bhindi amchuri, a ladyfinger dish tossed with dry mango powder, and the sunehri kofta makhan palak, vegetable dumplings in a rich spinach gravy, provide exciting vegetarian options.

Traditional favorites like chicken 65 and butter chicken are delectable, while the restaurant’s mutton curries are a feast for the senses.

Desserts at Haldi are equally indulgent. The ghewar, a flour and ghee biscuit topped with cheese milk and pistachio flakes, and the three-o-halwa, a mix of lentil, carrot, and pumpkin sweets, offer the perfect sweet conclusion to your meal.

For vegetarians and Indian food enthusiasts alike, Haldi stands out as a must-visit destination, with its variety of dishes and impeccable service setting it apart from other restaurants in Jeddah.

For the latest updates, follow on Instagram @haldi.sa.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Makbous Express in Riyadh

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Updated 08 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Makbous Express in Riyadh

  • Each option complements the dish in its own way, though the mandi rice seems best suited to absorb the savory depth of the sauce

Sometimes comfort arrives in a takeout box. Makbous Express in Riyadh brings the warmth of home-style cooking to your doorstep, offering familiar Gulf flavors designed for casual indulgence rather than fine dining.

Even without the dine-in experience, the food travels well, retaining much of its authentic charm. The tabolah stands out immediately. A bright mix of parsley, bulgur, tomato, and onion, it tastes crisp and refreshing, cutting through richer dishes with balance and simplicity. It is a welcome palate-cleanser.

The Makbous meat, the restaurant’s bestseller, shows why it carries that title. Tender meat cooked in aromatic saffron sauce arrives perfectly seasoned, with your choice of biryani, mandi, or plain rice.

Each option complements the dish in its own way, though the mandi rice seems best suited to absorb the savory depth of the sauce. This plate captures the essence of Kuwaiti soul food: generous, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.

Less exciting was the shrimp pasta, tossed in Makbous hot sauce. The shrimp were well-cooked, but the overall dish felt predictable, with the sauce adding heat but not much complexity.

The jareesh, made from crushed wheat groats simmered in chicken stock and cumin, then topped with butter or wild ghee, is pure comfort food. Warm, wholesome, and nostalgic, it delivers understated satisfaction rather than surprise. It’s the kind of dish that feels like home cooking done right.

The potato stew was runny for my taste and lacked the richness needed to tie its flavors together. A thicker texture or deeper spice could have made it more enjoyable, especially if it had more body.

Despite a few uneven dishes, Makbous Express succeeds in delivering the homely warmth of Kuwaiti cuisine, one that speaks of tradition, spice, and generosity. It may not dazzle at every turn, but for days when you crave hearty, unpretentious comfort food, this express route hits close to home.