Indian cuisine has long held a special place in the hearts of many in the Arabian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait, where rice is a staple ingredient. For Wadha Aldhafeeri, a senior statistical analyst and department manager at the Ministry of Education, this love for Indian food is one more reason to visit and enjoy the natural beauty of India.
"Growing up, our home cook was an elderly woman from Madras, skilled in Indian cuisine," she recalls. "She prepared everything from puri and naan to chapati, which we called ‘Baratta.’ Our mornings were made special with freshly prepared samosas, ready to be fried before we left for school."
As Indian restaurants became more popular in Kuwait, like many Kuwaitis, Aldhafeeri also started her liking for Indian culinary scene.
In the year 2024, she had the opportunity to experience authentic Indian flavors directly from India.
Wadha Aldhafeeri embarked on her first trip to India in August with a group of friends. Their journey took them across different regions, each offering unique culinary experiences.
In Kashmir, she discovered a cuisine vastly different from what she had known in Kuwait. "I don’t remember the names of all the dishes, but they were mostly meat-based, cooked in various ways, and served with fragrant Kashmiri rice," she says.
December brought another adventure, this time to South India. The beautiful weather made exploring the South Indian state of Kerala even more enjoyable, and it was here that Aldhafeeri rediscovered her love for typical Kerala dishes like 'dosa', a South Indian delicacy that quickly became a favourite among her travel companions.
"Bhel puri became our go-to street food, and in Kochi, we indulged in delicious fish dishes, which we Kuwaitis naturally love," she adds.
Their travels took them further to Munnar, where they enjoyed various kinds of masala tea, even bringing some back to Kuwait. In Alleppey, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Mysore, and Bengaluru, they explored local flavours, sampling desserts like rasmalai and gulab jamun.
Before leaving India, they made sure to take home the famous Indian sweet "Ladoo" as a souvenir!
With two trips to two different parts of India, Aldhafeeri is already planning another opportunity to explore India more. "By the end of this year, inshallah, we hope to explore Delhi, Mumbai, or Punjab," she says enthusiastically.
Having spent 30 years in her profession, Aldhafeeri has had the opportunity to travel extensively. "Traveling has given me invaluable experiences, and India was one of the most memorable journeys of my life," she says.
Her experiences reflect the deep cultural ties between Kuwait and India, where food becomes a bridge, connecting people across borders. As she continues her travels, Aldhafeeri looks forward to discovering even more flavours in the land of spices.