Specifically the Covered Dubai Spice Souk or the Old Souk, which is a traditional market located in an area of Dubai called Deira - Al Ras. You can get to it via Wooden Water Taxi (Abra) on Dubai Creek, Stop 20, Deira Old Souq. As you get closer to the cooler, darkened, wooden carved entrance the mixed warm enticing aromas of fragrances and spices hits you. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, you are greeted to piles of dried spices, herbs, fruits, flowers, and resins; and eager shop owners encouraging you to check out their many wares.
Store stalls in the Spice Souk sell a wide variety of fragrances, resins, and spices used in Arabic and South Asian food; from Frankincense and Shisha to Salab and Lemon Omani. In addition to herbs and spices; household goods such as textiles, incense, rugs and handicrafts are also sold. In recent years, the number of stores trading spices in the Souk have been reduced due to larger supermarkets.
Overall we had a wonderful time exploring the Souk and came home with a great experience and some lovely spices and resins. I would highly recommend going to visit if you have the chance.
Two things to be aware of:
- Most of the trading occurs through bargaining. Be prepared and don't feel bad about doing it, the only things I would not suggest bargaining about are food and religious materials. For example you know something is worth $5, but the shopkeeper wants $10, you say you'll pay $3. When he says no, you ask him how much...
- He says, "Lowest, $7." You say, "No, $4."
- He says, "No, $7. I have children to feed." You say, "Never mind I'm leaving."
- He says, "Ok, ok how about $6?" You say, "$5 and we have a deal."
- He says, "Ok, $5?" You say, "Thank you." (Making sure to take only that much cash to pay!)
- Know your spices and know your prices!!! One lady thought she was getting a great deal buying a special 'exotic variety of Filipino Saffron' called "Kasubha", in reality she was about to buy a load of fake saffron called safflower. It looks similar when dry in the package, but smells and tastes different and doesn't cost anywhere near the price of real Saffron. In the US, 6 oz of Kasha costs $24; while Real Saffron costs $45 for 1/2 oz!!!
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how marvellous to visit here. I would love to check out all the spices. i am no good at bargaining so would probably get ripped off!
ReplyDeleteIt was a spice lover's dream! It smelled so very good! I'm sure you'd be fine as long as you know when the price is too high, there is nothing wrong with walking away I've done that! :)
DeleteWhat a great post and what a coincidence that we should both write about souks! I have never been to Dubai but it's only a matter of time as almost all flights out of Australia to Europe now travel via Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Thanks for your enthusiasm in joining in AZ. I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fiona! It was a really wonderful trip and I look forward to exploring more next time, if you have a chance to visit I'd definitely such a stop over! :)
Deletelovely post - that was one of my favourite places to visit in Dubai. I also wrote about Dubai this month!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mel! Very cool that you wrote about Dubai as well, there is so much to see and do! :)
DeleteThanks Emily for this post... we missed out on visiting the Souk on this trip to Dubai... something for my next time list!
ReplyDeleteHi Liz! Dubai is such a vibrant place there is so much to see and do, no worries about missing something the first time it almost seems inevitable. I also added to my next time list after seeing Mel, Sally, and a few other bloggers Dubai posts! :)
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