Iraqi feast

woke up mid-day, obviously starving, yet feeling adventurous, and cornflakes just won't do.

like always, i go to trusty google and search where to eat in dubai. ethiopian. indian. chinese. hmm, iraqi. sounds unfamiliar but promising. 

Bait Al Baghdadi may be the best go-to place for Iraqi food in Dubai. if you don't trust me, maybe you'll change your mind if you know Anthony Bourdain ate here. see bourdain.

if you're here to eat one thing, and one thing only (which i strongly suggest you don't), have the Masgouf. it's the grilled carp, Iraqi's national dish. it's method of cooking is a show on it's own. 

i suggest calling ahead, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour for it to be ready. and another helpful tip, go as a group, this massive creature is for 3-4 people. or you can go extremely hungry like we did and take the 2 kgs carp challenge.

Whoa. our exact words.

i took a minute just staring at it. i don't know if it was fascination to it's enormity or shock and doubt to how my fiance and i can possibly finish it all. it was a feast fit for a king. 

the fish came with lemon slices, mango chutney and the pickles. also there's the staple iraqi bread. i made a mistake of ordering the green salad, barely touched it since it went perfectly with rice. being asian and all. i was so close to asking for toyo and suka. we were already the only non-arabic people in the restaurant, i didn't want to stand out even more. 

the flavor of the fish, the texture, and even the smell, is unlike any fish i had in dubai. how they seasoned the fish didn't compete with the fish's natural flavor, and that charcoal-kind-of-taste made it even more divine. it was fresh and juicy, to say the least. 

it was like a fish eating contest for my fiance and i. and my hopes for having a portion of it to take home and eat it with toyo and suka is gone. 2 kilos carp devoured by two. to our defense, we were really hungry.

and yes, it was that good.

and if you have space for dessert, try their version of creme brulee. we made space for it. that, with their black cardamom tea is a good way to end a lavish meal.

all that for 160 aed (1900 php). a great deal. as soon as i was able to lift myself off my seat, i was invited to the kitchen. big thanks to the amazing staff. seeing how they make the khoubiz (iraqi bread) was a treat. 

there will sure to be a next time, Bait al Baghdadi. i will have to try your Shawarma Tashreeb soon. if only Masgouf doesn't call out to my cravings first.

Bait Al Baghdadi

Al Muteena Street, 

Deira, Dubai

Phone: +9714 273-7064