Riyadh, 28th October 2024 – The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, announced the Taste of Saudi Culture festival will be coming to Ariake Garden in Tokyo from the 8th to 10th of November.
The three-day event will bring Saudi culinary culture and traditions to life through a range activities including kleija and maamoul making, chefs serving the Kingdom’s most popular dishes, a Saudi coffee experience, spices and date bazaar, Aseer flower crowns crafting and more.
Tokyoites and Japanese visitors will be transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as chefs serve a selection of popular dishes from mutabaq to madini rice and succulent lamb with a Saudi salsa known as duggus. Guests will be able to observe the making of kleija and maamoul firsthand, as pastry chefs prepare the delightful date-filled pastries.
The event will provide guests a traditional Saudi coffee experience, as the ritual symbolizes Saudi hospitality and social connection. A small bazaar will display authentic Saudi products for sale such spice mixes, various kinds of dates, honey from the Aseer region, kleija and maamoul biscuits, and rosewater made from Taif roses.
The CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, Mayada Badr, said:
“We are looking forward to sharing Saudi Arabia’s diverse culinary and cultural heritage in Japan. The Taste of Saudi Culture provides visitors a glimpse into Saudi’s renowned hospitality and culinary traditions without leaving Tokyo.”
The weaving of intricate flower crowns from the Aseer region will bring an additional burst of color to the event, as visitors learn about how they are made. Saudi artisans will also be weaving Al Sadu, a traditional woven textile that is inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Taste of Saudi Culture in Tokyo promises to be a celebration of cultural exchange, as Saudi Arabia brings its vibrant culinary heritage to the Japanese capital. Visitors will experience the warmth of Saudi hospitality and some of the Kingdom’s most beloved dishes and products, allowing Tokyoites to experience the flavors and traditions of Saudi Arabia.
