Queen Mama’s Kitchen: A Taste of Saudi Arabia in Portland, Oregon
As Maha Alharbi gazes out into the trendy dining room of Queen Mama’s Kitchen, with pots of lamb shank mandi and rows of dallah coffee pots, she sees not just Arabs but Americans enjoying iftar. This Saudi Arabian restaurant in Portland, Oregon, offers a glimpse into a culture often misunderstood around the world.
“We hear a lot from our customers that they feel like they traveled to Saudi Arabia,” says Alharbi, who opened the restaurant in 2022. She shares the culture, the tradition of drinking gahwa, and a variety of dishes from different regions of the Kingdom.
The menu at Queen Mama’s Kitchen features dishes from across Saudi Arabia, including rice bukhari, vegetable pasta stew margoog, and the popular cracked wheat dish jareesh. Alharbi flies in Saudi spices and gahwa to ensure authenticity in every bite.
But Alharbi’s journey to opening the restaurant was not without challenges. After starting as a catering business in 2020, facing setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and experiencing personal loss with her husband’s passing, she persevered with the support of her children.
Now, Queen Mama’s Kitchen has become a beloved spot for Portland’s Arabic community and curious foodies alike. The restaurant’s authenticity, service, and hospitality have garnered praise from online reviewers and earned it a spot in the city’s upscale Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Customers from all walks of life, including locals and visitors from afar, flock to Queen Mama’s Kitchen to savor the flavors of Saudi cuisine. The restaurant also offers a special iftar menu during Ramadan, attracting both Muslims and non-Muslims eager to experience the culture and cuisine.
Experience Jareesh: Queen Mama’s Kitchen’s Most-Popular Dish
Jareesh is a must-try dish at Queen Mama’s Kitchen, beloved for its rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Here’s how you can recreate this Saudi favorite at home:
Ingredients:
500g chicken, beef, or lamb, cut into chunks; 2 cups steel-cut oats; 2 large onions, finely chopped; 3 tbsp ghee; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 cups chopped tomatoes; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp black pepper; salt to taste; 6 cups water (or as needed)
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat ghee and brown the meat chunks. Add onions and cook until golden.
2. Stir in tomato paste, tomatoes, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Add steel-cut oats and water, then simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
For the mosmannah topping:
1. Cook sliced onions in ghee until golden brown. Add spices, including dried lemon, and cook.
2. Serve the jareesh topped with mosmannah for a delicious and authentic Saudi dish.