She traversed Saudi Arabia, indulging in food, and now runs a restaurant that safeguards the culinary traditions inherited from our forefathers.
"You're about to embark on a journey around Saudi while seated, that's my dream (for you)," shares Hadeel Al Motawa, the co-founder of the restaurant, established in 2019.
Situated in the historically rich 600-year-old heart of Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, this modern eatery draws inspiration from the home cooking Al Motawa was raised on and her adventures across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Post her realization of the profound connection between food and culture, Al Motawa aimed to "revive this connection at home, to create a place where people could rediscover the charm of Saudi cuisine."
Five years later, her debut restaurant frequently graces local publications as one of the city's best, and even made it to international dining guide "50 Best"'s "discovery" list of must-visit eateries.
Rediscovering Saudi Cuisine
Comprising a whopping 2.15 million square kilometers (830,120 square miles), Saudi Arabia is home to diverse landscapes, from mountains and deserts to rocky plateaus. Consequently, the country's cuisine is a rich tapestry woven from various regional flavors.
For instance, the Eastern Province, known for its coastal location, boasts a variety of seafood dishes like Muhammar, a fried fish dish combining rice and sugar, once favored by sailors and fishermen.
On the other hand, the colder, northerly regions often see traditional recipes focusing on grains and meat, such as jareesh, a lamb stew made with wheat and yogurt.
Saffron, cardamom, and dates are recurring ingredients across the country and are often accompanied by flatbreads and laban, a yogurt-based drink.
When Al Motawa began conceptualizing a Saudi contemporary restaurant, she was dismayed to discover that many within Saudi Arabia were unaware of the full breadth of their cultural culinary legacy.
"That was the spark that ignited Takya's concept," says Al Motawa.
She embarked on a journey across the kingdom, from its coastal regions to its mountainous north, to study the origins and techniques of regional dishes and ingredients.
Her discoveries eventually shaped Takya's menu, which offers a curated selection of dishes from different parts of the country, showcasing the country's culinary diversity.
"I wanted to delve deeper into the dish's history, to hear a story behind it—and that's the story we're attempting to share here," she explains.
Setting the Stage for Culinary Arts
Saudi Arabia's dining scene is still in its nascent stages, but over the past decade, the kingdom has invested heavily in modernization, including massive infrastructure projects aimed at stimulating the economy, attracting international business, and tourism.
Places like Takya, located in the "$63.2-billion Diriyah Gate" development, are a testament to this new wave of modernization. The development includes a 15,000-square-meter dining space adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif.
The movement towards haute cuisine and global fare continues in Saudi Arabia, as renowned chefs like Joël Robuchon, Daniel Boulud, and Alain Ducasse open eateries in the kingdom. Initiatives like the Saudi Feast Food Festival and the Culinary Arts Incubator contribute to a vibrant culinary scene, while projects like the Culinary Legacy aim to preserve traditional recipes for future generations.
For Al Motawa, her food serves as a cultural explorer, blending the old with the new, tradition with innovation. Despite Riyadh's modern facade, the country remains "very much in touch with its roots," says Al Motawa, adding, "It's modern on the outside, but when you dig deeper, it's deeply rooted in culture."
The Art of Blending Tradition and Modernity
At Takya, the traditional recipes remain untouched but are reinvented with a contemporary twist. Al Motawa emphasizes that every dish must first resonate with its original flavors before being reimagined for the modern palate.
"If you look at the dishes, they might seem radically modern, appealing, indeed. But once you taste them and delve into their stories, they reignite an authentic experience," she explains, adding, "We preserve the recipes passed down by our ancestors."
Dates, a staple in Saudi Arabia, take center stage in both sweet and savory dishes. They could be presented as molasses to complement a delicately cooked lamb shank, or fused with spices and transformed into fragrant pastries.
Al Motawa hopes that diners, whether local or international, will savor the diversity of Saudi Arabia's cuisine and be inspired to continue their exploration of the country.
"The first layer of my restaurant is love for food," says Al Motawa, "and the second layer is about falling in love with Saudi culture."
After indulging in the diverse flavors of Saudi Arabia at Takya, you might consider planning a food-focused trip to explore the country's rich culinary heritage. This modern eatery serves as a gateway to discovering the variety of dishes inspired by Al Motawa's adventures across the kingdom.
As you savor the taste of Saudi Arabian cuisine, remember the journey that led to its fusion of tradition and modernity. From the coastal seafood dishes of the Eastern Province to the hearty stews of the northern regions, each dish tells a story that can be experienced through food and drink.
