Today’s BITS (blogger in the spotlight) features a close friend of ours who is a Malaysian but now working and residing in Abu Dhabi. Without further ado, here is Julian with a topic close to his heart. Food of course!
When I first moved to Abu Dhabi (AD), I thought the challenge would be in the “eyes”. As in, the lack of green (trees, plants, flowers) and way too much brown, i.e. sand! Little did I realise that it would be the FOOD that was going to be the major problem, and in particular … PORK. Or the lack of it!
To all you pork-lovers out there, please FEEL for me! More importantly, for the benefit of all you Pork Lovers out there here are my Top 5 joints in Abu Dhabi for a great Pork feast, should ever the need arise, when you find yourself lost and alone in AD, craving lard. Look back and remember what I have said here today;)
Jules Top 5 Pork Joints in Abu Dhabi are:
1. Bambu, Abu Dhabi
Located at the Abu Dhabi Marina Club, in the Tourist Club Area, Bambu serves a one price-all you can eat concept, where you order from a menu. Mind you, it’s expensive, 130 AED. My favourite dish here has to be the “chiu yim chee pak” (Salt & pepper pork chop). As far as I know, there must only be 3 restaurants in the entire Abu Dhabi which serve pork (The others being a “secret” Korean, and a “secret” Chinese restaurant). For dessert, you can even have Fried Ice Cream ala Malaysia!
(approximate conversion rates; 10 AED = 9 RM = 3 USD)
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2. Deira, Chinatown, Dubai
Occasionally, we would travel up the road (Only an hour’s drive) across the desert, to “flashy” Dubai. We found this really strange eatery in Deira, Chinatown, it looked like a 1970s Hong Kong movie apartment. Yes, they actually have CCTV to scan you prior to entry! Anyway, best of all … they served Lap Cheong (chinese sausage) omelette, Stewed fat belly pork, and Pork and Peanut soup!!
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3. Oktoberfest at Le Meridien, Abu Dhabi
Oktoberfest at Le Meridien, Abu Dhabi was a really memorable event last year. German live folk-band music and dancing, and best of all … Real German beer, AND all sorts of porky delights. I gladly paid 110 AED for my German Porky buffet! The pork knuckle, sausages and other delights went well with the Sauerkraut. Slurp!
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4. Spinneys, Abu Dhabi
Spinneys at Abu Dhabi is heaven-sent, not only do they sell liquor (There are possibly only 4 liquor shops in the entire city!), but they have a an entire non-halal section… Fresh and frozen pork, tinned pork, Pork crisps and more! Our frozen pork belly originates from Brazil, and my darling wife sometimes amazes me by preparing Siew Yuk. Imagine the smell permeating from our little apartment 🙂
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5. The Pork Shop, Dubai
The Pork Shop (Yes, that’s what its called!) in Dubai Mall, at Dubai, is another one of my favourite places. Its a place where I can stock up on my favourite porky bacon and porky sausages, and do big fry ups. Reminds me of student days in the UK! Bliss!
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About this week’s Guest Writer :
Julian a.k.a. Jules has been blogging since 2006, initially writing about diving and food. But soon after he started, his blog took on a life of its own, and he started writing about photography, cars, parties and more. Julian and his wife presently live in Abu Dhabi, and they keep telling us they miss Malaysia .. a lot. From the way they enjoy food, you can see why!
Actually, if you ask Cumi & Ciki, Mr. Julian Si is just being modest. He is one of the pioneers in Malaysian Food blogging and even our own blog, has found inspiration in his stories and excursions. Jules and his wife are now close friends and we are honored to feature them under the BITS section, today!
Jules website : Jules Eating Guide to Malaysia & Beyond
This post is totally up my alley. I love pork – all parts: belly, loin, trotters, and even cheeks and nose…LOL!
same here. it’s good to have someone make all the mistakes and take all the wrong turns looking for food. all we need to do is just follow X that marks the spot now! lovely! thx Jules!!
I do feel for you, in a world devoid of PORK. 🙂
Really pricey huh?
seems like he’s got that sorted out! but, you are right! the price of pork good golly !!
Love this post! Absolute a must for anyone travelling to the region! What a huge grin on his mug standing in front of the Pork Shop!! A sure sign of a satisfied, returning customer!
LOL, cute right? he looks like the cat who caught the .. pig?
i thought we can’t find pork in abu dhabi @@
now you know;)
eh mr.si, why meena cafe not there ar? i thought it ought to deserve honorary mention. 😛
Because darling, Meena is halal. In exchange for having Msian-style food, we have forego our penchant for all things piggy.
Yah lar, since “when” does Meena (or Reem!) have porrrrky stuff. I think all that’s an urban myth 🙂
In fact, some of the cooking, espesh the steamed minced chicken and yong tau foo here is so good, that I could have sworn … there was … babi 😉 But I don’t think so!!
it shows its possible to get anything everywhere! i hope the authorities dont clamp dis places down!
wow, i’d never have thought of ‘abu dhabi’ and ‘pork’ in the same sentence … it’s like, ermm, ‘antarctica’ and ‘sushi’ … but the pork chops and pork belly looks really good! i guess ultimately, quality is just as important as quantity 😀
yay, I’ve been to the one in Deira and also the pork shop. It’s quite an opening experience and sometimes the pork shops are so hidden that you need a local to show you.
Can’t imagine we can get so many oink oink shop in an Islamic country 😛
Looks like it is easier to get pork in Abu Dhabi than in Bangladesh and Indonesia!
Omg it’s so easyyy to get pork in here Indonesiaa. Especially in Jakarta and Surabaya, the Chinese restaurants which sell pork are everywhere!! And you can find western restaurants which sell pork everywhere too around these two cities.
Yes I know.. Babi Guling is my favourite! 😀
Wahhhh.. Thank you. Thank you. I feel the love!!
The cat who got the.. Pig 😉 haha! That’s one way to put it 😉
I never really knew I liked all things porcine, until I became (relatively!) deprived of it in the Middle East, I guess absence makes the belly fonder.
Mei, wonderful post, thank you so much for featuring my appetite!!!!
thanks jules- a real honor hosting ur article:)
Awwwww .. was just reading this again, and you know what I am gonna say …
I MISS HOME!
Love from Abu Dhabi x x
miss u too jules! 🙁 sorry we could not meet up that time..
Bambu unfortunately has a new management are not able to sell pork anymore.
However the Hofbrauhaus at Rotana Beach, which is next to Bamu, can serve you the most delicious pork cooked in the german fashion.
Bjorn – Thanks for the update on Bambu. Alas!!
C&c – Was reading through your write-up again, you flatter us lar … Hugs x
thanks for the update bambu
Hi, may I know where the Spinneys in Abu Dhabi is? I am here for a week and could not find a single oink in every supermarket I have been! =( Double whammy for Bambu! Could do with some charsiew and roast pork now!