While the closing date of Expo 2020 Dubai draws near, foodies and culture lovers still have time to enrich their palates.
From the pavilions to food trucks, the world fair is a culinary melting pot of traditions, cultures, gastronomy and street food attitude.
To savour it all, visitors can sample the eclectic flavours on offer.
Here are 10 authentic or unusual dishes to try at the Expo that are steeped in culture and heritage.
1. Pato no tucupi at the Brazil Pavilion
Linked to the city of Belem in the lower Amazon region, pato no tucupi is duck meat served in a yellow sauce extracted from wild manioc root found in Brazil's Amazon jungle.
The dish is on the menu at the Brazil Pavilion’s in-house restaurant Nossa Gastronomia Brasileira. It's in the Sustainability District.
2. Soursop gelato at the Colombia Pavilion
With Colombia renowned for producing more than 400 types of fruit annually, this pavilion, located in the Opportunity District, is the best place to sample some.
A go-to dish, particularly as the weather heats up, is the soursop gelato. Soursop is a prickly green fruit with creamy texture and a zesty flavour comparable to pineapple and strawberry.
3. Keshek at Aklet
A traditional treat fit for a summer’s day.
With the advent of the hotter months, families in Lebanese villages would often roll coarse bulgur with milk before leaving it to ferment and dry out.
The end result is keshek, which is best served with onions and tomatoes. You can find this savoury gem at the Lebanon Pavilion's restaurant Aklet. The pavilion is in the Opportunity District.
4. Fried beef liver at Arabian Tea House
A carnivore’s delight and a staple of Levantine cuisine.
The fried beef liver is served sizzling hot alongside seasoned chopped onions, tomatoes and potatoes and drizzled with lemon juice.
Make sure to eat it with traditional Iraqi tanoor bread to soak up all that juicy goodness.
Find it at the UAE favourite Arabian Tea House, a branch of which is located near Al Wasl Plaza.
5. Dragon’s breath waffle at the Norway Pavilion
Not exactly a traditional meal from the Nordic country, but definitely worth trying for the uncompromising flavours.
Served from the Wofl food truck outside the pavilion, dragon’s breath is a waffle (buckwheat or gluten-free) packed with sweet chilli beef, fresh crispy yellow bell peppers, romaine lettuce and spring onions on a bed of sour cream.
6. Tim Tam freak shake at the Australia Pavilion
-
Australian migrants tell their 'welcome stories' through visual installations at the pavilion. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National -
The Australia Pavilion is located at the Mobility District at Expo 2020 Dubai -
Visitors watch an audio-visual show at the Australia Pavilion at the Expo site in Dubai -
The audio-visual displays are a major feature of the Australia Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai -
Australian migrants tell their 'welcome stories' through visual installations at the pavilion -
It is a tech-savvy pavilion -
The souvenir shop at the Australia Pavilion -
Visitors to the Australia Pavilion enjoy the audio-visual show -
Time for refreshments at the cafe at the Australia Pavilion
A treat fit for a cheat day.
The Tim Tam freak shake is as indulgent as it sounds: it is a vanilla ice cream-based milkshake blended with Milo — a popular Aussie brand of chocolate malted powder — and the popular Australian biscuits, TimTams.
This is served in the open-air courtyard at the Australia Pavilion, which is in the Mobility District.
Scroll through the gallery above to see more of the Australia Pavilion.
7. Hashi almashi at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion
While most Saudi restaurants in the UAE serve various rice and meat dishes, it is in the kingdom’s pavilion, which is located in Opportunity District, that you will truly find a deep dive into authentic cuisine.
A must-try is the hashi almashi, a modern take on a Saudi staple, with a camel meat patty rubbed in Saudi coffee, almond and sesame sauce served in wholewheat flat bread.
8. Hiyashi chawanmushi at the Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion in Opportunity District already got UAE foodies buzzing with its amazing sushi and sashimi served at in-house eatery Sushiro.
However, scan further up the menu and you'll find the hiyashi chawanmushi, a traditional appetiser that is a cold egg custard steamed in a small bowl with shrimps, scallops, fish paste and salmon roe.
9. Beshbarmak at the Kazakhstan Pavilion
For centuries, Kazakhs were herders who often raised fat-tailed sheep, horses and Bactrian camels.
For such a rugged and physical lifestyle, Kazakh cuisine is often hearty and full of protein. Both qualities are exemplified in beshbarmak, a popular dish made from boiled horse meat, served on a bed of noodles.
The Kazakhstan Pavilion is serving up a version of the traditional item in Opportunity District.
10. Kniddelen at the Luxembourg Pavilion
Think of it as Luxembourgish dumplings made halal-style.
The pavilion’s head chef Kim Kevin de Dood reinvented the national staple, which is normally served with bacon, by replacing it with smoked duck breast.
With the dumplings softy and buttery, you will surely be eating more than one.
Luxembourg Pavilion, which is famous for its slide, is in the Opportunity District.
50 things to do at Expo 2020 Dubai before it ends on March 31 — in pictures:
-
Expo 2020 Dubai will finish on March 31, 2022. Here are 50 things to do at the world fair between now and then. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai. -
The Singapore Pavilion at Expo is a must-visit. Reuters -
From the inside and outside, Switzerland Pavilion is worth exploring. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The spectacle of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion is clearly visible from the outside. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The Spain Pavilion's striking architecture serves as a metaphor for the cultural links between Spain and the Arab world. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The fascinating past of ancient Egypt is the central focus of the country’s Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
It's more than just about Thai food at Long Chim restaurant in Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Long Chim -
Alkebulan African Dining Hall at Expo 2020 Dubai is putting the focus on an as-yet untapped cuisine. Photo: Alkebulan African Dining Hall -
Sushiro is in the Japan Pavilion restaurant at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Bread Ahead, a British concept that specialises in doughnuts and gluten-free sourdough breads, is a must-try at Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Burgers, such as this DM Burger, are among the popular offerings at Adrift Burger Bar in Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Josh Telles -
Children and grown-ups alike love the Expo 2020 Dubai Water Feature. Reuters -
There's an impressive light show every evening at Al Wasl Dome, the world's largest 360-degree projection dome. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Jubilee Park is where all the best performances take place. Victor Besa / The National -
The Expo 2020 entry portals were designed by British architect Asif Khan. -
Al Wasl Dome is visible from almost every room in Rove Expo 2020, the only hotel at the site. -
Take a look inside Expo 2020's Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub and its various facilities. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A bike tour around Expo 2020 Dubai is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Victor Besa / The National -
At Emirates Airlines’ futuristic pavilion, visitors get the chance to design their own aircraft. Wam -
Go up 55 metres on this 360-degree observation tower and enjoy sweeping views of Expo 2020 on Garden in the Sky. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Expo 2020 passport is a must-have for visitors. Go around the pavilions and collect those passport stamps before it's too late. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Kaleidoscope presents Dodecalis Luminarium by Architects of Air: a dazzling immersive art installation at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Created by British artist Mat Collishaw and curated by the cultural agency Futurecity, the work 'Equinox' has been commissioned by Expo 2020 Dubai specifically to be shown in Terra. Photo: Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 -
'A point in time' by Khalil Rabah enlarged 11th-century implements used for determining location. Look closely: a small black circule below the gold-coloured spindle shows Dubai on the map the objects create. Photo: Thorsten Arendt -
'Garden' by Hamra Abbas, the artist's marble recreation of a garden, used five tonnes of lapis lazuli. Photo: Roman Mensing -
Faissal El Malak and Alia bin Omair's 'Nahel' fountain features motifs of humankind, nature and technology connecting in harmony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
With popular restaurants in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Lebanese spot Iris Lounge has become a firm favourite at Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National -
One of the liveliest late-night spots at Expo 2020 is, unsurprisingly, The Irish Village at Jubilee Park. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Expo 2020’s resident sports lounge Garden on 1, found at the Mobility District, offers regular themed nights such as curry night and quiz night, regular drinks deals, and shows the biggest sporting events. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Jubilee Mixology bar overlooks Al Wasl Dome, which features the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface. Pawan Singh / The National -
Everyone’s a local at this Australian corner, which has proved a firm favourite with Expo 2020 visitors. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Once a month, experience a Khaleeji-led jam session at Jubilee Stage in the form of Jalsat Nights. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Specially created for Expo 2020 Dubai by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, the all-female Firdaus Orchestra features musicians from 23 nationalities across the Arab world, with some as young as 15. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The monthly Infinite Nights concert series takes place at Al Wasl Plaza and is streamed to a global audience. Past acts that have performed so far include Kadim Al Sahir, Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama, Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas, with two more to come. -
Emirati composer Mohammed Fairouz has composed music for the Al Wasl Opera. Every week or two, a student choir takes to the Jubilee Stage for a series of 30-minute concerts where they perform extracts from Al Wasl Opera. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A 10-minute light show takes place daily at the China Pavilion. It's a must-see. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Hammour House is a community art project that is popular among children. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A child plays at Latifa's Adventures playground, a great spot for families during a visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The indoor slide at the Luxembourg Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is very popular among children and families. -
No visit to Expo 2020 Dubai is complete without interacting with a robot. Victor Besa / The National -
The carousel in the Mobility District at Expo 2020 Dubai is a great stop for children. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
An exhibition focusing on the work of French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier will open at Expo on February 28. AFP -
The know-how of the Piemonte region will be highlighted in a showcase at the Italian pavilion. Photo: Andrea Rapuzzi -
The Colombia Pavilion will host a multimedia installation called The Infinitos. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister for Culture and Youth, at the Kosovo Pavilion, home to a permanent collection of artworks that traces the country’s culture and history. Photo: Ministry of Culture and Youth -
The New Zealand Pavilion features a digital Art Wall curated by the country’s national museum. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
At the Swiss pavilion, you’re instantly transported to the Alps thanks to an indoor mountainscape. AP Photo -
Experience indoor rain at the Netherlands Pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Don't miss the Sky Market at the Singapore Pavilion, an open, multipurpose deck. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
There's a ball pit and swings at the Germany Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Robot bartender Yanu makes mocktails at the Estonia Pavilion. Photo: Estonia Pavilion
