My absolute go-to and comfort foods is Yemeni cuisine especially when I am in Arab countries.
I have spent a number of years of my life in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. In Saudi Arabia the most popular breakfast spots that the locals dine at are the Yemeni ones and the lunch/dinner spots is very much inspired by Yemeni dishes in particular the Mandi. When going out for a meal the safe and reliable option was always these spots. Always. A few years later, when residing in Dubai, I would look for such food to satisfy my longstanding cravings and for a little bit of nostalgia too. Lo and behold, Yemeni Mandi restaurants happened to be extremely popular with there being numerous ones scattered around the Emirate. And again, like in Saudi Arabia, in Dubai these spots would be the go-to, safe and fulfilling options. My wife wasn’t with me when I was in Saudi Arabia, so her first experience of this cuisine was in Dubai and unsurprisingly she became an instant fan!
Back to this post now. Unfortunately, Yemeni restaurants are hard to find closer to home (England). That is a real shame to be honest. So, when we found this little gem on a side road off of Curry Mile in Manchester, we were extremely excited to try it. From the name, we straight away knew it was a Yemeni restaurant: Hadramout is a hilly region in Yemen. The menu also looked very authentic and this was already making me feel very nostalgic without even entering the restaurant.
Did it match up to Yemeni restaurants in Saudi Arabia and Dubai?
Firstly, the unique setting of a typical Yemeni restaurant is crucial and it plays a part in the overall experience. What is that I hear you ask? The unique thing is the floor seating – both communal and private booths. This is a traditional way of eating in many parts of the world, but Yemeni restaurants bring that tradition to the restaurant. If you haven’t experienced such a dining experience, you’re missing out! It’s relaxing, comfortable and private (if you choose a private booth). You literally get the comfort of eating in as well as the social aspect of eating out. Hadramout has two floors, the bottom is tables and chairs, but upstairs is what you need to ask for! Upstairs is the aforementioned traditional floor seating.
Okay, so the seating is spot on, what about the actual food? We ordered our favourite grilled chicken with Mandi rice, Saltah, hummus and Masoub for dessert.
Grilled chicken with Mandi rice: even though the lamb Mandi is the most popular Yemeni dish, we prefer the grilled chicken version (some places/countries call it madhbi, some call it fahm, some have other names – just clarify with the restaurant before ordering). This hit all the right spots!! Literally, from the very first bite we were both taken back to our favourite joint in Dubai. My wife just gave me the look (you know that look!). The rice is fragrant and oh so delicious. It has a charred and subtle buttery meat broth taste that works so well with the perfectly grilled chicken. Perfection. This dish right here is me on a plate. You serve me this every day and I will not complain!
An absolute must with this dish is the red tomato sauce/salsa. It makes the dish. Literally. In Saudi Arabia, not all would serve this, so before we sat in a restaurant we’d ask if they have the sauce, if the answer was no, we would go elsewhere. It is actually that much of a crucial component. An issue when sharing this dish is that the sauce may run out because you get a small tub of it, but here in this restaurant they serve the sauce in a massive sauce tub!! It’s literally a tub that you use to pour as opposed to one you dip into. Genius and such a good initiative! This dish also comes with a lamb soup (without meat) – usually comes before the meal so it is wonderful to sip on alone while you wait for your meal or to even have with the rice.
Saltah: this is a traditional Yemeni dish that is like a meat and egg curry. It’s okay, but nothing special. This could be because we of course come from a very curry rich culinary background.
Hummus: the Yemenis are not known for their hummus.
Masoub: this is a dish that is the breakfast staple in Saudi Arabia and it is served as a dessert item in Dubai. If you see this item on the menu, you know the place is Yemeni. You will not find this dish anywhere else; it is extremely hard to locate. It is a mash up of mashed paratha, bananas, honey and cream. You’ll find versions with other ingredients too such as dates and nuts. I even saw an innovative version in Saudi Arabia that had corn flakes sprinkled on top. This one here at this spot also hit the spot. It was again perfection and extremely nostalgic!
Overall, this was an amazingly delicious and nostalgic experience. It is a must for those wanting to try something a little different on Curry Mile in Manchester. Get the Mandi (lamb or grilled chicken) and Masoub and you will not be disappointed! This may just be the best hidden gem on Curry Mile… or maybe even my favourite restaurant on the road!
