The Mina Port fish market in Abu Dhabi

We decided today to eat “real food” (Yeheey!!) in the next seven days so my friend and I went to the Mina Port fish market. People visit the fish market for two reasons. It is cheaper and has more variety.

By the way, real food for me means homemade dishes.

Selection of seafood

Our charcoal-grilled fish

Anyway, I do not know what she would cook in the next few days but we wanted to have grilled fish for today’s dinner as it was late already when we headed to Mina Port fish market. The left-wing of the building is an array of stalls which offer to fry, grill or bake your fish, prawns, crabs, etc.

The big oven

On weekends, it is common to see people in queue because this is a convenient and easy way to prepare for picnic on weekends. Just buy a big fish or prawns in the fish market, and then take it to any of the stall for grilling or frying. Their cooking time takes between 20-30 minutes and they charge AED 10 (USD 2.70) per kilo regardless of the method of cooking.

We tried before for baked squids and shrimps. It was really good even though they garnished it with certain sauce concoction. Then we tried grilled and fried fish too. We didn’t like it because they coated the fish with some spices. We prefer a plain grilled and fried method, no spices and flavorings except for salt. Simply rub it on to the fish skin, then that’s it! It’s ready for grilling and frying, no other cooking rituals needed. LOL!

For today’s dinner, my friend specifically gave instruction to grill our fish in charcoal and to use salt only, nothing else. Just make sure they understand your instructions because they have limited English though they understand the basic.

After dropping our fish for charcoal-grill, we shopped around for shrimps, more fish and the needed vegetables. I really didn’t know what she had in mind but we bought a lot.

Cleaning the fish

To lessen the kitchen process at home (I can’t hide that I detest loitering in the kitchen area in our house. LOL!), I asked one of those men in red overall jumpsuit to clean the fish. They charge AED 2 (USD 0.58) to clean every kilo of fish. It is  important to give the ‘fish cleaner’ specific instructions of the way you want the fish to be cleaned. Like today, my friend specifically asked to remove the gills and scales of it. Good that I urged her to pass by to the cleaner’s section before buying another item because the ‘fish cleaner’ didn’t remove the scales, only the gills. This is quite doomed to happen especially if your instructions are not that clear. Most of them understand basic English only so misunderstanding is quite prevalent.

Then the most important tip, always haggle! You can always bargain between AED 5 to AED 10 per kilo.

Fresh Coconut juice

Then after more than an hour, we headed back home. There is nothing to worry because there are many available taxis. Also, if you have a car, it is easy to find parking (based on my experience). It is not a nightmare at all!

To get a fresher air, we opted to settle outside. Great that the weather was already pleasant!

While waiting for the waiter, my eyes were busy looking around not for anything but to observe. We thought that it was a small coffee shop only but to my surprise, there was a spacious tent at the back packed with guests.

Every time I visit an Arabic coffee shop, I knew only two items to order – shisha and Turkish coffee. And so I ordered the same in Moulin Rouge.

However, something caught my attention. There was a small booth with glass walls besides the entrance door. The man inside in red shirt was busy swirling on the air a piece of what seemed a white thin sheet. Curious, I stepped closer to the booth. I came to know that the white thin sheet was actually a dough.

With his crooked English, he told me he was making an Egyptian Pastry, one of the sought after item in the menu. I believed him because all the while we were there; people came, wait for 10-15 minutes and left with boxes of his freshly baked pastry.

I interviewed him while observing his baking skill. According to him, it runs in his family for generations. He said it was an Egyptian style pizza and it tasted better than Pizza Hut. I simply smiled because I could not affirm anything for I hadn’t tasted it yet.

He was busy kneading the dough. Then later the cupful dough turned into a very thin sheet after he spinned it on the air. Then it was ready for stuffing which I opted for cheese.

Shortly our order came. Fresh from the oven, it was hot and looked very yummy. After a bite, I was convinced. His pastry was better than Pizza Hut, no doubt about it.  

No wonder that there was constant influx of customers waiting for his pastry.

Price Cost:  It was AED 20 only and the serving was good for 2-3 persons.