Turning up the heat: What spicy food brings to Qatar’s table

DOHA: Celebrated worldwide on January 16, International Spicy Food Day turns up the heat on the plates, celebrating bold flavours and fiery spices tha...

DOHA: Celebrated worldwide on January 16, International Spicy Food Day turns up the heat on the plates, celebrating bold flavours and fiery spices that shape cuisines and cultures across the globe.

In Qatar, where culinary traditions meet an extraordinary mix of global influences, spicy food has become less about trends and more about everyday dining adding depth, excitement and cultural connection to the local palate.

“In Qatari cooking, spice is more about aromatic warmth than intense heat and isn’t about balance and building flavour gradually,” says Roopendu Sanil Kumar, an Indian expat who has lived in Qatar for over 15 years.

“But for me, spice is what elevates a dish, and I’ve clearly seen how the love for spicy food in Qatar has grown over the past few years. I know many Qataris who enjoy Indian food, and it’s often one of their go-to choices when dining out as a family. Spice is essential and I always choose medium or hot, anything less won’t do.”

Over the past two decades, Qatar’s dining scene has transformed alongside its rapidly growing multicultural population. Today, residents from more than 100 nationalities call the country home, and they have brought with them a bold love for chilli and spice.