History

Thareed, also spelled tharid, is a bread soup that originates in Mecca and is mentioned in hadith attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, a sign of its standing across the Arab world. The Emirati version is a slow-cooked stew of tender meat, vegetables and a spiced tomato broth known as saloona, seasoned with cumin, turmeric and local spice blends. Thin rqaq bread is broken over the top just before serving, so it soaks up the broth. Michelin notes it is especially served at Ramadan iftar gatherings.

Book a food experience

Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.

Browse every bookable food experience

Common allergens: Gluten

Make it at home

Yield Serves 4Hands-on 30 minTotal 2 hrDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 800g lamb shoulder on the bone, cut into pieces
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste and 3 chopped tomatoes
  • 2 potatoes, 2 carrots and 1 courgette, cut into large chunks
  • 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin and turmeric, and 1 tablespoon bezar spice mix
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 litres water
  • 4 thin flatbreads (rqaq or similar), torn
  • Salt

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a heavy pot and fry the onions for 8 minutes. Add the garlic and lamb and brown the meat on all sides.
  2. Stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes and spices and cook for 3 minutes.
  3. Add the water and 2 teaspoons of salt. Simmer covered for 1 hour 15 minutes until the lamb is tender.
  4. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, then the courgette for 10 minutes more.
  5. Tear the flatbreads into the bottom of a wide bowl, ladle over the meat, vegetables and broth, and let it soak for 2 minutes before serving.

Tip from the editors. Tear the bread thin and add the broth at the table so it softens without turning to paste; keep extra broth to hand.

Where to eat thareed

Thareed in Abu Dhabi

Al Mrzab ★ 4.3

$ EmiratiAl Nahyan

Al Mrzab is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Emirati and Kuwaiti restaurant on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, with majlis seating and photos of old Abu Dhabi on the walls.

OrderThe chicken machboos at about AED 61, then cooked-to-order khanfaroush drizzled with local honey.

TipIt runs on walk-ins and queues, and Michelin advises expecting a wait; seating splits between private cabins, majlis and regular tables.

Directions

All Abu Dhabi signature dishes →

More cities are in research. Want thareed covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →