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Aseeb

Riyadh

Authentic Saudi dining experience showcasing Nadji culinary traditions

Grand, not formal: Everything about the arrival at Aseeb feels grand: the building in Alyasmin is palatial, the doors are colossal and the foyer is huge. But while it may feel imposing, the dining experience is anything but. The vibe is relaxed, like a home-from-home, with groups of friends and families coming together to enjoy a day away from the kitchen. The spacious upstairs dining room has an array of different sections and seating options, with tables, booths, semi-private dining rooms and traditional majlis floor sofas.

Najdi culture: Husband-and-wife team Abu and Umm Saud wanted to open a restaurant that accurately represents and showcases Najdi cuisine and culture. The interior is decked out with murals, Najdi architectural elements and traditional antiques including cooking pots, girba (animal skin bags) and baskets made from palm fronds.

On the Pass

Abdulrahman Albabtain

Pastry Chef

Arwa alfayez

Traditional cuisine: To start the meal, guests are served a cup of traditional Saudi coffee made with green coffee beans and cardamom, and balah (a type of date). The menu features a number of Najd specialities, such as red jareesh – crushed wheat cooked with milk, chicken, tomatoes and coriander, served with fried onions and musamana spices – and milk marasee – a traditional dish made from wheat flour mixed with onions, hot milk and butter. There are also Aseeb takes on dishes from around the Kingdom too, such as fresh spiced lamb from the restaurant’s farm, which is grilled on palm leaves, and grilled hashi (camel) served with honey and tahini.

Quench your thirst: There are loads of fresh juices on the menu, from lemon juice with mint to a passion fruit mojito, fermented dairy-based laban, and of course, Femto (Vimto syrup), which is known as Saudi’s unofficial national drink.

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