A taste of the Middle East

From Yemeni rice dishes to Syrian shawarma, Middle Eastern fare is adding spice to the food scene here

- Hedy Khoo

Home to a cluster of Middle Eastern establishments such as Alaturka Mediterranean & Turkish Restaurant, opened in 2005, and Tabbouleh Lebanese Restaurant, started in 2008, the Kampong Glam enclave is a choice destination for diners wanting sizzling kebabs or mezze platters.

But the past two years have seen Middle Eastern cuisine grow in popularity and diversity in Singapore.

Apart from Turkish and Lebanese eateries, diners here can now get a taste of Egyptian, Syrian and even Yemeni cuisine, from flavoursome, spice-infused Mandi Rice to shawarma slow-roasting on a vertical rotisserie.

Hadramawt Kitchen in Lavender Street, which started as a catering kitchen in 2022, converted part of its space for a restaurant in June. Over at Tampines Central 1, Damascus Delights sells Syrian dishes at its takeaway kiosk.

Meanwhile, hawker stalls selling Middle Eastern fare have also sprung up, such as Mr Kebab at Whampoa Makan Place, which offers Middle Eastern food with Egyptian flair, and Gaziantep Delight at Holland Drive Market & Food Centre, run by a Turkish chef who wants to deliver a legit taste of his country's cuisine.

The Sunday Times checks out these four new spots dishing out enticing and affordable Middle Eastern fare.

MR KEBAB EGYPTIAN DELIGHT: EGYPTIAN BUSINESSMAN TURNS HAWKER

Where: 01-04 Whampoa Makan Place, 90 Whampoa Drive Open: llam to 9pm (Wednesdays to Mondays), closed on Tuesdays Tel: [phone] Egyptian businessman Wael Ibrahim Ahmed Sonkor, who found love while dining at a restaurant in Arab Street, gave up his career in Egypt, moved to Singapore and became a hawker - all for his Singaporean wife.

The 51-year-old Muslim now dishes out Egyptian fare at hawker stall Mr Kebab Egyptian Delight at Whampoa Makan Place.

Mr Wael Ibrahim and his wife Kalsom Mondai, 59, decided to open a hawker stall as overheads are lower than running a standalone eatery.