Samak Harra
Spicy Baked Fish (No Rice)
Yes, with a tweak: confirm no sugar in the sauce or marinade. About 13g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Saudi food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A delectable whole baked or filleted fish (often Hammour or Sultan Ibrahim) topped with a vibrant, spicy sauce typically made from bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, and sometimes tahini. Served without rice.
Key ingredients
Whole fish or fillets (e.g., Hammour), bell peppers (various colors), tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, chili (fresh or paste), spices, tahini (optional).
How to make it keto
Confirm no sugar in the sauce or marinade. Request no rice or bread. Ensure the sauce is primarily vegetable and fat-based, not thickened with flour.
Say this to the waiter (Arabic)
لسمك حرة، تأكد لي أن الصلصة والتتبيلة خالية من السكر. بدون أرز أو خبز. والصلصة تكون أساسها خضروات ودهون، بدون طحين للتكثيف.
For Samak Harra, confirm no sugar in the sauce or marinade. No rice or bread. Ensure the sauce is vegetable and fat-based, not thickened with flour.
Watch out for
Hidden sugars in tomato-based sauces. Served with rice traditionally, so explicit omission is required. Some sauces might contain high-carb vegetables or starch thickeners.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Saudi menuAll 156 Saudi dishes ›
