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UAE Ramadan street food rush: These shops sell 25,000 sambosas daily before iftar
Other popular snacks during Ramadan evenings are Pakkavada, Jalebi, and egg bhaji, all of which see a significant spike in sales as Maghrib approaches
- PUBLISHED: Sat 21 Feb 2026, 5:00 AM UPDATED: Sun 22 Feb 2026, 11:44 AM
On the streets of Sidrouh in Ras Al Khaimah, the sound of car horns blends with the chatter of customers forming long queues outside one of the emirate’s most beloved snack shops.
As sunset approaches, residents rush to secure their share of freshly fried sambosas, prepared using traditional recipes that have stood the test of time.
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During Ramadan, demand surges dramatically. At the well-known Sidrouh Restaurant, more than 20,000 sambosas are sold daily throughout the holy month, double the usual number of fewer than 10,000 on regular days. Combined with sales from Mubarak Sweets, where an additional 5,000 to 6,000 sambosas are prepared daily, total Ramadan sales exceed 25,000 sambosas each day across the two popular outlets.
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For many families, these crisp, golden parcels have become a staple of iftar tables across the emirate.
Ashraf Ali, manager of Sidrouh Restaurant, says Ramadan is by far the busiest period of the year.
“After just the first two days of Ramadan, sales nearly doubled compared to normal days,” he said.
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While the original vegetable sambosa remains a favourite, the shop now offers three main varieties: vegetable, cheese, and cheese with chips, a flavour that has grown especially popular among younger customers.
The shop’s story dates back to 1974, when it was established by Saidali Kutty Haji as a small business specialising mainly in vegetable sambosas. Over the decades, it has grown steadily and is now run by his sons, who continue the family legacy while expanding the menu to meet rising demand.
Beyond sambosas, the shop offers more than 10 different snacks. Among the most popular during Ramadan evenings are Pakkavada, Jalebi, and egg bhaji, all of which see a significant spike in sales as Maghrib approaches.
On regular Ramadan weekdays, most customers are Ras Al Khaimah residents. But on weekends, visitors from other emirates make the trip, drawn by the shop’s long-standing reputation and distinctive taste.
Ramadan ritual
Among those waiting patiently in line was Ahmed Al Mehairi, a resident of Ras Al Khaimah, who described the visit as part of his Ramadan ritual.
“The queue usually starts building from around 3pm, and by 4.30pm it’s already crowded.” For Al Mehairi, the attraction lies not only in taste but in tradition.
“These are the flavours people grew up with,” he said. “The vegetable and cheese sambosas are always popular.”
According to him, the queues are not limited to local residents.
“On weekends, people come from Sharjah and Ajman just to experience Ramadan in Ras Al Khaimah,” he said. “They want to live the atmosphere and the real, authentic taste of the sambosas here. They still use a traditional method. That’s what makes it different. It’s rare to find this kind of taste nowadays.”
Despite the expanded menu, sambosas remain the undisputed bestseller, particularly the cheese, cheese with chips, and vegetable varieties, maintaining a tradition that has defined the shop for more than five decades.
Across town in Dahan, Ras Al Khaimah, preparations at Mubarak Sweets begin long before customers start lining up at the door.
Abu Al-Qasim, manager of Mubarak Sweets, said sambosas account for the largest share of sales during Ramadan.
“We prepare between 5,000 and 6,000 sambosas every day,” he said. “Cheese and vegetable are the favourites. These are the first to sell out.”
In addition to sambosas, the shop offers Pakora and sweet treats such as Jalebi, which also see steady demand throughout the holy month.
The workflow is carefully planned to meet the afternoon rush. According to Abu Al-Qasim, preparation starts the night before, with sambosas assembled and stored in refrigeration and freezers to maintain freshness. Baqoura is prepared in the morning.
“We begin organising everything the night before,” he explained. “About two hours before customers arrive, we start the final frying process.”
The busiest period begins at around 4pm, when crowds steadily build until Maghrib. By iftar time, most of the day’s stock is completely sold out.
As Ramadan evenings unfold in Ras Al Khaimah, the queues outside these shops reflect more than just demand. They tell a story of tradition, community, and flavours that have become inseparable from the spirit of the holy month, one sambosa at a time.
Azza Al Ali is a reporter from Ras Al Khaimah, dedicated to sharing stories that bring the community’s voices to life. She’s passionate about connecting with people and highlighting what truly matters to them.