Built around the Doum trees that mark Asir’s coastal area, dozens of fish kiosks cooking the catch of the day have become an important touristic attraction in the area.

Travelers on the road that links the Kingdom’s west to the south all the way to Yemen, can make a short stop at these places to enjoy local dishes, especially the fish mixed with savory local herbs and oils.

Khazimah, a woman with over 40 years of experience as a chef, is a well-known cook in the area, renowned for her fish. Khazimah’s cooking is prepared with great care in a process that begins during the night, when she readies the spices and prepares her kiosk for the next day.

“I start my day by making the zucchini with tomatoes according to a local recipe where the zucchini is cut up with tomatoes and mixed with cumin and chili. The mixture then is put with the fish and the bread in a clay pot, and then introduced in the old oven to be cooked with a smoky flavor,” Khazimah explained to Arab News. Many of her clients say they enjoy the spicy essence of red and green peppers mixed with garlic, that provides a particular zest to the fish.

Adding to the cooking experience, customers can actually pick their own fish from nearby fishermen who sell it so fresh, it’s almost right out of their nets.

Enjoying the sea view and the authenticity of these old venues, customers lining up at the kiosk admit that they planned to make a stop at the kiosk. “Apart from the lovely scenery, the food Khazimah prepares is delicious. The fish and Hilbeh dessert she makes are different and unique,” one customer told Arab News as his colleagues stressed that they appreciate her hygienic practices when she cooks and the way she treats customers.

In the beginning, Khazimah would move to different spots in the area, but after her popularity grew, she decided to settle down in a kiosk so new clients could easily find her. Her fame has grown so much, that many tourists ask for her by name. “Some of the other restaurants are getting jealous,” she laughed. The lady’s decades of hovering over stoves haven’t made a dent on her strength and will, as she admits that her customers’ satisfaction is the source of her happiness.