While the closing date of Expo 2020 Dubai draws near, foodies and culture lovers still have time to enrich their palates.
From the pavilions to food trucks, the world fair is a culinary melting pot of traditions, cultures, gastronomy and street food attitude.
To savour it all, visitors can sample the eclectic flavours on offer.
Here are 10 authentic or unusual dishes to try at the Expo that are steeped in culture and heritage.
1. Pato no tucupi at the Brazil Pavilion
Linked to the city of Belem in the lower Amazon region, pato no tucupi is duck meat served in a yellow sauce extracted from wild manioc root found in Brazil's Amazon jungle.
The dish is on the menu at the Brazil Pavilion’s in-house restaurant Nossa Gastronomia Brasileira. It's in the Sustainability District.
2. Soursop gelato at the Colombia Pavilion
With Colombia renowned for producing more than 400 types of fruit annually, this pavilion, located in the Opportunity District, is the best place to sample some.
A go-to dish, particularly as the weather heats up, is the soursop gelato. Soursop is a prickly green fruit with creamy texture and a zesty flavour comparable to pineapple and strawberry.
3. Keshek at Aklet
A traditional treat fit for a summer’s day.
With the advent of the hotter months, families in Lebanese villages would often roll coarse bulgur with milk before leaving it to ferment and dry out.
The end result is keshek, which is best served with onions and tomatoes. You can find this savoury gem at the Lebanon Pavilion's restaurant Aklet. The pavilion is in the Opportunity District.
4. Fried beef liver at Arabian Tea House
A carnivore’s delight and a staple of Levantine cuisine.
The fried beef liver is served sizzling hot alongside seasoned chopped onions, tomatoes and potatoes and drizzled with lemon juice.
Make sure to eat it with traditional Iraqi tanoor bread to soak up all that juicy goodness.
Find it at the UAE favourite Arabian Tea House, a branch of which is located near Al Wasl Plaza.
5. Dragon’s breath waffle at the Norway Pavilion
Not exactly a traditional meal from the Nordic country, but definitely worth trying for the uncompromising flavours.
Served from the Wofl food truck outside the pavilion, dragon’s breath is a waffle (buckwheat or gluten-free) packed with sweet chilli beef, fresh crispy yellow bell peppers, romaine lettuce and spring onions on a bed of sour cream.
6. Tim Tam freak shake at the Australia Pavilion
A treat fit for a cheat day.
The Tim Tam freak shake is as indulgent as it sounds: it is a vanilla ice cream-based milkshake blended with Milo — a popular Aussie brand of chocolate malted powder — and the popular Australian biscuits, TimTams.
This is served in the open-air courtyard at the Australia Pavilion, which is in the Mobility District.
Scroll through the gallery above to see more of the Australia Pavilion.
7. Hashi almashi at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion
While most Saudi restaurants in the UAE serve various rice and meat dishes, it is in the kingdom’s pavilion, which is located in Opportunity District, that you will truly find a deep dive into authentic cuisine.
A must-try is the hashi almashi, a modern take on a Saudi staple, with a camel meat patty rubbed in Saudi coffee, almond and sesame sauce served in wholewheat flat bread.
8. Hiyashi chawanmushi at the Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion in Opportunity District already got UAE foodies buzzing with its amazing sushi and sashimi served at in-house eatery Sushiro.
However, scan further up the menu and you'll find the hiyashi chawanmushi, a traditional appetiser that is a cold egg custard steamed in a small bowl with shrimps, scallops, fish paste and salmon roe.
9. Beshbarmak at the Kazakhstan Pavilion
For centuries, Kazakhs were herders who often raised fat-tailed sheep, horses and Bactrian camels.
For such a rugged and physical lifestyle, Kazakh cuisine is often hearty and full of protein. Both qualities are exemplified in beshbarmak, a popular dish made from boiled horse meat, served on a bed of noodles.
The Kazakhstan Pavilion is serving up a version of the traditional item in Opportunity District.
10. Kniddelen at the Luxembourg Pavilion
Think of it as Luxembourgish dumplings made halal-style.
The pavilion’s head chef Kim Kevin de Dood reinvented the national staple, which is normally served with bacon, by replacing it with smoked duck breast.
With the dumplings softy and buttery, you will surely be eating more than one.
Luxembourg Pavilion, which is famous for its slide, is in the Opportunity District.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
Honeymoonish
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The%20Roundup
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
Company%20profile
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What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now