Yemeni Mutabbaq Stuffed Minced Meat Pastry
Yemeni mutabbaq (stuffed with egg, meat and leek) is one of the most popular breakfasts and dinners in Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula: thin dough filled with minced meat, egg and leek and browned on a griddle. It has a low glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈55), as the egg and meat filling brakes the starch of the dough.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Squeeze a fresh lemon wedge over it and have only two or three pieces as a main meal with a green salad, to keep the calories down.
Best preparation methods
Cook mutabbaq on a dry griddle with the lightest film of oil instead of frying it in plenty of ghee, and double the green leek and egg in the filling.
Important Nutritional Note
Leek is rich in allicin-type compounds and sulphur antioxidants, but commercial street mutabbaq may contain refined oils and many fat calories, so moderation is needed.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (150 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 285 kcal | 427.5 kcal |
| Protein | 14 g | 21 g |
| Carbohydrate | 28 g | 42 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 25.8 g | 38.7 g |
| Fat | 13 g | 19.5 g |
| Dietary fibre | 2.2 g | 3.3 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Arabic dishes with a glycemic index (37), it ranks 36 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Yemeni mutabbaq allowed for people with diabetes?
Yes, in moderation: its glycemic index is at the 55 limit (low), the egg and meat protein prevents a rocketing blood sugar, and the key is not to overdo the pieces.
How many calories are in a typical portion of savoury mutabbaq (150 g, two large pieces)?
It provides about 430 kcal, 21 g of protein, 19.5 g of fat and around 42 g of carbohydrate.
What is the healthiest type of mutabbaq?
Leek and egg mutabbaq cooked on a dry griddle, without fatty meat and without hydrogenated vegetable ghee.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.