Thoum – Authentic Arabian Cuisine

by Iyath Adam 

If you’re looking for authentic Arabian cuisine, look no further than the newly-opened Thoum Arabic Restaurant outlet in Hulhumale’ Phase I!

Located at Coral Palace mall, the new Thoum space is light and roomy with both indoor and outdoor seating. The walls are adorned with geometric Arabic calligraphy art in bright colours and the interior features beige, earthy tones with intricate glass lanterns and chandeliers, giving it an ambient, Middle Eastern feel. 

The service was quite prompt, and we were able to order and receive our food relatively fast. The extensive menu featured Arabic drinks, as well as main dishes such as appetizers (think baba ganoush, mutabbal, muhammara, roasted beetroot hummus etc.) and main dishes like shawarma, kabsa rice, mandi rice and shish tawook – suitable as either sharing or individual meals. 

We ordered enough food for around six people – a pot of Adani tea, spiced lamb hummus with pita bread as an appetizer and a family-style shawarma platter and chicken mandi rice platter. For dessert, we went with the baklava platter (always a favourite!). 

Now, onto our tasting! 

First up, our drink. Adani tea is a type of Yemeni milk tea, made with cardamom and evaporated milk. Thoum’s version of this classic Middle Eastern drink is rich, creamy, and just lightly spiced, offering a delightful balance of warmth and sweetness, which went well with the savoury tastes. 

The spiced lamb hummus was absolutely delicious; a smooth, nutty spread, topped with bits of tender lamb cubes which just melted in the mouth. Together with the perfectly baked, puffed-up pita bread, each bite of this appetizer was earthy and tangy – a great starter to kick off the meal. 

Next, the main dishes. 

The family-style shawarma platter was certainly a feast for both the eyes and the palate – cut-up shawarma pieces, presented in a flower shape with French fries and two types of dipping sauce in the middle. The savoury shawarma chicken was encased in crispy, thin flatbread and was very well complemented with both the tangy, spicy dip and the garlicky yoghurt sauce. 

Although the chicken mandi rice platter is for 4-5 pax, we’re sure that it can easily serve six! Despite the name, the dish actually features a massive platter of half mandi rice and half kabsa rice, topped with a whole, succulent chicken. The mandi rice was lightly spiced, fragrant and colourful, while the kabsa rice had a tangier, spicier taste. The chicken was juicy and tender, making it the perfect centrepiece of this delectable dish.

The dinner wouldn’t have been complete without the classic baklava as dessert. We were served five different types of bite-sized baklava pieces – delicate phyllo dough wrapped around nutty fillings and topped with a light, sweet glaze – the perfect way to end the feast!

Overall, we greatly enjoyed the dinner experience at Thoum. With their tasty food, warm hospitality, and inviting atmosphere, it is definitely a must-visit place for family dinners or get-togethers with friends and loved ones!