Explore Guides
Local food map
Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
Hotels in area
Main course
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
450kcal
15gProtein
60gCarbs
20gFat
2gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Allergens
🥚 Eggs
🌾 Gluten
Also served in
Balaleet
How to order / say it
Say it
بـلـيـلت — [ba-la-LEET]
Order
I'd like the balaleet, please.
Locally
أريد بـلـيـلت من فضلك.
Say locally
Sweet-savory breakfast dish consisting of vermicelli and eggs.
Why try it?
Balaleet reflects the fusion of flavors that typifies Emirati breakfasts, engaging gently sweet and savory notes that fit well into family festivities and are celebrated during Eid.
How it tastes
Sweet elements from sugar and flavored with cardamom contrast the scrambled eggs. The soft, buttery vermicelli complements the warm, fragrant spices, creating a unique start to the day.
Origin & History — first documented: 1700
The roots of Balaleet trace back to the fusion of Persian and Indian culinary traditions with native Arab cuisine in the 1700s, quickly becoming a breakfast staple in Abu Dhabi.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 200 g vermicelli noodles
- 🥚 3 large eggs
- 🍯 2 tbsp sugar
- 🧂 5 pods cardamom pods
- 🧂 pinch saffron
- 🥛 3 tbsp butter
Method
- 1 Boil vermicelli until tender, drain.
- 2 Whisk eggs with sugar, cardamom, and saffron.
- 3 Scramble eggs in butter until softly cooked.
- 4 Mix vermicelli with eggs, serve hot.
More from Abu Dhabi
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Saloona
صالونة
Sah-loo-na
A hearty Emirati stew of vegetables and meat.
© Wikimedia Commons
Bread
Vegan
Khubz
خبز
khoobz
Traditional Arabic unleavened flatbread.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Ghuzi
غوزي
ghoo-zee
Whole roasted lamb served with rice, nuts, and vegetables.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Stuffed Camel
الجمل المحشي
al-jamal al-mah-shi
An elaborate dish involving whole camel stuffed with lamb and chicken.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Camel Meat Stew
مارسي تحضر الجمل
mar-see tah-dher al-jamal
A hearty stew made with camel meat and traditional spices.
© Wikimedia Commons
Dessert
Vegetarian
Luqaimat
لقيمات
loo-kai-mat
Sweet dumplings served with date syrup or honey.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Mandi
مندي
MAN-dee
A spiced rice and meat dish often featuring lamb or chicken.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Margoogat
مرقوق
mah-roo-goo
A hearty Emirati stew typically made with meat and tomatoes.
© Wikimedia Commons
Starter
Vegetarian
Stuffed Grape Leaves
ورق العنب
wa-raq al-‘inab
Grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced rice and sometimes lamb.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Machbous
مجبوس
Muj-boos
Spiced rice dish usually paired with meat or fish.