If you’ve never visited an Arab country, there are many reasons to do so, and the food is just one of them. In the Arab world, you can find some of the most delicious (not to mention some of the cheapest!) meals you’ll ever eat in your life. Arabs do magic in the kitchen! If you like trying new things, start packing your bags!

Just like any other nation, Arabs take pride in their culture and its culinary skills. It’s very personal though – they’re almost married to food.

Warning: If you happen to be the guest of an Arab, they don’t take no for an answer when it’s lunch time, and they don’t spare you even if you’re on a healthy diet to lose weight.

Food in the Arab world goes beyond just sustenance. It’s a vital characteristic of Arab culture and is heavily incorporated in traditional and even religious ceremonies and events. Preserving culinary traditions can be a form of resistance in times of loss and war. Arabs living abroad, especially, look to food as a way to get a taste of home. In many ways, food represents home to Arabs who have been displaced.

So how do Arabs treat food?


If you ask an Arab how is it that their food tastes so good, they will claim that it’s more than just following a recipe, it’s the nafas they put into it. The direct translation of nafas is breath in Arabic. It’s the love and patience you put into making the food, that makes it taste good. Arabs who cook for guests do more than prepare a simple meal; they’re putting their love and appreciation into the art of traditional food and vice versa, as they can also channel their loss and frustration into food.

In the Arab culture, betrayal after breaking bread with someone is unforgivable. “There’s khubz and mileh (bread and salt) between us, now we’re like family” is an old Arab proverb. It illustrates the value of food in the Middle East, and what it means for Arabs to share a meal. With this being said, no wonder the kitchen is an important part of an Arab household. 


EnglishTransliterationArabic
Kitchen in ArabicMatbakhمطبخ
Appliances in Arabicajhizah kahraba’yaاجهزة كهربائية
Cook in ArabicTabbaakhطبّاخ
Refrigerator in ArabicThallajahثلاجة
Oven in ArabicFornفرن
Table in ArabicTawilahطاولة
Cupboard in ArabicKhazanat sohonخزانة صحون
Dishwasher in ArabicGhsalat assohonغسالة صحون
Plate in ArabicTabaqطبق
Fork in ArabicShawkahشوكة
Spoon in ArabicMil’aqahملعقة
Knife in ArabicSikkenسكين
Frying pan in ArabicMiqlahمقلاة
Bowl in ArabicZibdyahزبدية
Sugar bowl in ArabicSokkaryehسكرية
Tray in ArabicSeinyehصينية
Cooking pan in ArabicTanjarahطنجرة
Kettle in ArabicGhalayahغلاية
Saucer in ArabicSahn finjanصحن فنجان
Bottle in ArabicQannenahقنينة
Colander in ArabicMisfahمصفاه
Blender in ArabicKhallaatخلاط
Teapot in Arabic‘ibriq shaaiابريق شاي
Glass in ArabicKa’sكأس
Coffee grinder in ArabicMithanatu qahwahمطحنة القهوة
Microwave in ArabicMicrowaveميكرويف
Napkin in ArabicMindiilمنديل
Sink in ArabicBalu’ahبالوعة
Coffee cup in ArabicFinjaan qahwahفنجان قهوة
Stove in ArabicMawqidمَوقِد
Toaster in ArabicMihmasatu khubzمحمصة خُبز
Coffee maker in ArabicSaani’atu qahwahصانعة القهوة



Take it from us, Arab dishes are not only delicious, but aim to preserve Arab identity, tradition and a feeling of “home.” So, the next time you think a spoon is merely a tool, think about how it would be if you had to eat with chopsticks for the rest of your life.


If you wish to learn more about the Arabic language, download our Arabic learning app

appstore-logo googleplay-logo
Get updates & special offers
Subscribe to our newsletter
Most Read