Where We Are Going Today: ‘American Corner’ – authentic American breakfast in Jeddah

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Updated 19 April 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘American Corner’ – authentic American breakfast in Jeddah

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  • The menu features authentic American breakfast culture: Fluffy pancakes, crispy hash browns, buttermilk waffles, cheese-loaded omelettes and the ever-satisfying eggs with turkey bacon or sausage in generous portions

American Corner has been the go-to spot for many American breakfast-lovers in Jeddah since 1989.

From the moment you walk in, the cozy vibes, checkered floors and warm lighting set a nostalgic tone — the kind that will make you want to linger over coffee and pancakes a little longer with a friend or simply enjoy some alone time.

The menu features authentic American breakfast culture: Fluffy pancakes, crispy hash browns, buttermilk waffles, cheese-loaded omelettes and the ever-satisfying eggs with turkey bacon or sausage in generous portions.

One of the standouts is the chicken and waffles, golden and crispy, which hits that sweet-and-savory balance.

The classic American breakfast platter is another favorite. It features eggs, toast, your choice of meat and a side. It is simple, comforting and delicious.

My personal favorite is the hotdog, made the American way with mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise in a fresh, soft, long bun. I also like the buttered corn, brownies and a smooth flat white to tie it all together.

If you have a sweet tooth, do not miss the famous French toast, topped with fresh berries and maple syrup.

Service is friendly and American Corner does a great job of maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere, even during the busy morning rush. Prices are reasonable, considering the portion sizes and quality.

If you are in the mood for brunch or something more savory, you will find hearty options including burgers, pasta and salmon or shrimp served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

For more information, visit Instagram @american_corner.

 


Where We Are Going Today: FreshHouse

Where We Are Going Today: FreshHouse
Updated 17 May 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: FreshHouse

Where We Are Going Today: FreshHouse

FreshHouse in Riyadh has all kinds of different meal options and is a great choice for those health nuts who value flavor, substance and speed.

The eatery offers an extensive menu to meet your needs at pretty much any time of the day, including bowls, on-the-go meals, salads, sandwiches, oats, yogurts for some light breakfast options, and even desserts.

You will love their Mediterranean Chicken Bowl menu.

This is packed with kabsa rice, Persian-style chicken, mixed greens, dill pickles, tomatoes, roasted corn, and surprisingly, dates — topped with a tahini sumac and basic lemon dressing.

The blend of flavors in the Mediterranean Bowl works perfectly, offering a tangy yet slightly creamy balance that does not feel too heavy but will fill you up just fine. The chicken is nice and tender and comes in the perfect amount.

Another showstopper on the menu is FreshHouse’s Pesto Pasta Chicken Bowl.

This comes with pomegranate, ricotta cheese, mixed greens, sundried tomatoes, black olives, zaatar, pecan, and is topped with cilantro and basic lemon dressing. There is a fine balance of tangy, creamy and sweet.

The pasta is seasoned perfectly, and what is especially great is that it is neither too heavy nor too bland, unlike many available healthy options.

For a lighter, more refreshing selection, FreshHouse also sells cups of mango parfait, honey muesli oats, berries and yogurt granola, and more.

A pretty good option is their mango overnight oats which tastes really good. However, the oats could be a little less soft and the mango flavor even more prominent.

Their acai bowl is quite underwhelming. Nothing special and lacking flavor in the acai itself.

Try FreshHouse the next time you are looking for a quick protein fix or snack. Their build-your-own option is also handy if you are that kind of person.


 


Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital

Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital
Updated 15 May 2025
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Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital

Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital

If you are looking for an authentic taste of Japanese curry in Riyadh, look no further than Kokoro.

Nestled in Al-Yasmeen district, this cozy restaurant has made its way from Alkhobar and quickly captured the hearts of curry enthusiasts.

On entering Kokoro, you are transported into a minimalist Japanese setting that feels like stepping into a traditional home. The ambiance is warm and inviting, enhanced by the friendly staff who make you feel at home.

Kokoro specializes in Japanese curry, offering a delightful departure from the more common Indian curry. The menu features a variety of options, including chicken, shrimp, and beef curry. You will love the Kokoro Special, designed for two at a reasonable price of SR51 (about $14).

The curry here is distinctively good, offering a distinctive flavor profile. The spice levels range from 0 to 5.

You might start with some appetizers. The gyoza dumplings are a standout. They are perfectly cooked and flavorful, while the sweet potatoes are decent but don’t quite impress. For the main course, you might indulge in the chicken Katsu curry, which is crispy and juicy, and never disappoints.

The service is impressively fast.

Kokoro can get quite busy, so downloading the Requeue app to manage your wait time is recommended. While the line can be long, the food is undoubtedly worth it. You also must try both the shrimp and chicken Katsu; each dish is flavorful and well-spiced.

The vibrant flavors and cozy atmosphere here make it a memorable dining experience. If you are in Riyadh and craving Japanese curry, Kokoro is a must-visit.


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Hokkaido’ Japanese restaurant in Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Hokkaido’ Japanese restaurant in Jeddah
Updated 15 May 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Hokkaido’ Japanese restaurant in Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Hokkaido’ Japanese restaurant in Jeddah

Jeddah’s food scene continues to evolve, and Hokkaido on Rawdah street stands out as the city’s first all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant.

Guests choose from three main dining experiences: a hot pot course, a barbecue course, or a mixed course that offers the best of both worlds.

Take your pick from an extensive menu featuring meats and seafood, including black angus beef, crab, squid, mussels, octopus, and a sashimi platter.

The barbecue experience is a standout. Grilling your own meats on a tabletop grill adds a fun, interactive element, and the freshness of the ingredients shines through.

The hot pot is just as customizable. Create your ideal flavor profile by choosing from four broth options, mixing and matching — sukiyaki, spicy, tomato, and miso.

The buffet includes a wide variety of options, including a spread of tempura, fried noodles, fried rice, assorted sushi, fresh fruit, desserts, and ice cream. You’ll also find a selection of noodle types like ramen, glass noodles, and udon.

While the food quality justifies it to some extent, the pricing leans toward the higher end, especially for larger groups.

If you’re visiting, I’d recommend opting for the barbecue option for more flavor control and a bit of table-side excitement.


Food grown with fewer chemicals? A Brazilian scientist wins $500,000 for showing the way

Food grown with fewer chemicals? A Brazilian scientist wins $500,000 for showing the way
Updated 14 May 2025
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Food grown with fewer chemicals? A Brazilian scientist wins $500,000 for showing the way

Food grown with fewer chemicals? A Brazilian scientist wins $500,000 for showing the way
  • Microbiologist Mariangela Hungria’s research helped her country become an agricultural powerhouse

DES MOINES, Iowa: A Brazilian scientist who pushed back against chemical fertilizers and researched biologically based approaches to more robust food production has been honored with this year’s World Food Prize, the organization announced Tuesday.
Microbiologist Mariangela Hungria’s research helped her country become an agricultural powerhouse, an accomplishment that has now won her $500,000 from the Iowa-based World Food Prize Foundation. Hungria has been researching biological seed and soil treatments for 40 years, and has worked with Brazilian farmers to implement her findings.
“I still cannot believe it. Everybody said, my whole life, it’s improbable, you are going the wrong way, just go to things like chemicals and so on. And then, I received the most important prize in the world of agriculture,” Hungria said in an interview. “Sometimes I still think I’ll wake up and see that it’s not true.”
Norman Borlaug, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work to dramatically increase crop yields and reduce the threat of starvation in many countries, founded the World Food Prize. Since the first prize was handed out in 1987, 55 people have been honored.
Hungria said she grew up wanting to alleviate hunger. Early in her career, she decided to focus on a process called biological nitrogen fixation, in which soil bacteria could be used to promote plant growth. At that time, farmers in Brazil and around the world were reluctant to reduce their use of nitrogen fertilizers, which dramatically increase crop production but lead to greenhouse gas emissions and pollutes waterways.
Hungria studied how bacteria can interact with plant roots to naturally produce nitrogen. She then demonstrated her work on test plots and began working directly with farmers to convince them that they wouldn’t have to sacrifice high crop yields if they switched to a biological process.
The work is credited for increasing yields of several crops, including wheat, corn and beans, but it has been especially affective on soybeans. Brazil has since become the world’s largest soybean producer, surpassing the United States and Argentina.
Although Hungria’s research could be applied on farms in other countries, soybean production in the US is different than it is in Brazil; American farmers typically rotate crops on their land between growing corn and soybeans. Enough nitrate fertilizer applied to corn still remains in the soil when soybeans are planted that little or no fertilizer needs to be applied, Hungria said.
Brazilian agricultural companies have faced fierce criticism for clearing forested land to create farmland, largely to grow soybeans.
Much of that criticism is justified, Hungria said, but she added that her biological approach builds up the soil and makes further encroachment into forested areas less necessary.
“If you manage the crop well, the crop will enrich the soil with nitrogen. Soil health improves if you do the right things,” she said.
Hungria will be awarded her prize at an annual October gathering in Des Moines of agricultural researchers and officials from around the world.
Gebisa Ejeta, chair of the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee, credited Hungria for her “extraordinary scientific achievements” that have transformed agriculture in South America.
“Her brilliant scientific work and her committed vision for advancing sustainable crop production to feed humanity with judicious use of chemical fertilizer inputs and biological amendments has gained her global recognition both at home and abroad,” Ejeta said in a statement.


The inside scoop on Trump’s hearty lunch in Riyadh

The inside scoop on Trump’s hearty lunch in Riyadh
Updated 13 May 2025
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The inside scoop on Trump’s hearty lunch in Riyadh

The inside scoop on Trump’s hearty lunch in Riyadh

RIYADH: US President Donald Trump, along with top US delegates and business executives, were extended a warm welcome in Riyadh at Al-Yamamah Palace, where dignitaries were treated to a hearty lunch on Tuesday.

The US president, who touched down in Saudi Arabia to start the first major international trip of his second term, enjoyed lunch in the presence of senior Saudi royals, members of the cabinet, leading business executives and editors-in-chief.

The lunch menu included a health conscious three-course meal, with international flair. (Supplied)

US business magnate Elon Musk was also in attendance.

The lunch menu included a health-conscious three-course meal, with international flair.

For the delicate starters, miso beef was plated up along with fermented vegetables.

For the delicate starters, miso beef was plated up along with fermented vegetables and bacon crumble. (Supplied)

For the main course, visiting dignitaries were served grilled black Angus steak alongside “silky potatoes” and a fresh herb salad.

The meal ended on a sweet note with an extra virgin olive oil parfait and a sweet and tart strawberry salad.

Prior to the lunch, President Trump departed Air Force One and was promptly treated to Saudi hospitality in the form of Saudi coffee served by attendants wearing ceremonial gun-belts.