Just to dispel the pork myths

Folks tend to think that you cannot get pork here at all. Well, guess the UAE is more liberal than some other Arab countries in this regard. But you do need to make an effort coz not a lot places have it. Spinneys in Abu Dhabi has it, but piggies are cheaper out there in the desert...

Pork section of a chinese grocery shop in the China section of International City. Not just pork meat in there, some products are inside because they contain pork products (e.g. oil) in the production process.


Although the classic Cha Siew Bao is made of chicken in most places, those who seek shall certainly find some run down in-the-corner chinese establishment to satisfy that craving.

Pig Trotters!

This was in Dubai, run by Shangainese. Did not know Shanghainese can cook like this, my recollection of Shanghainese food is sweet black noodle and pan fried buns. Anyways W enjoyed this meal. The orangey thing on the bottom right was roasted prawns. Yummy like anything too.. maybe coz of pork oil..

And if you do find pork at a restaurant, more often than not, the bill will say something like "Beef" for your pork dish. I once had fried Kimchi at a Korean restaurant where the pork slices were hidden within the cabbages and thick Kimchi sauce... naughty....


Edit: Was chatting with a guy who grew up in one of the expat compounds in Saudi Arabia. Compounds are essentially gated expat communities which is a must rather than a choice. But inside them, you can live like you lived at home with all the booze AND pork you want. So you can even get pork in Saudi Arabia!