Traditional Saudi Dish 'Molohiya' Draws Crowds at Arar Festival

A traditional Saudi dish, “Molohiya,” is drawing crowds with live cooking demonstrations at the Arar Spring Season festival in Northern Borders Region.

 The event is part of a national initiative by Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission to document and promote the Kingdom’s traditional cuisine locally and internationally.

 The “Molohiya Dish” booth features daily cooking shows presented by local producing families. Interactive workshops allow visitors to learn the preparation steps, while a “Best Molohiya Dish” competition and a cultural display explain the dish’s regional history.

 Molohiya typically consists of meat and rice mixed with reconstituted dried yogurt (aqt) and local ghee. It is often garnished with parsley and served with broth, reflecting the traditional Bedouin lifestyle of northern Saudi Arabia, reliant on livestock and dairy products.

 Organizers say this participation gives producing families a platform to showcase their skills and market the dish in an interactive cultural setting.