How this Saudi chef cooked his way to 3.4 million TikTok fans—with Kabsa, a lot of heart and a big smile

Clad in a fur coat like Jon Snow, Saudi chef, food blogger and TikTok star, Hisham Baeshen, cooked up a Game of Thrones-style Kabsa, and, no surprise, it went viral.

Cooking up mouthwatering dishes is just part of his charm. What really draws Baeshen’s 3.4 million TikTok followers is his ability to make videos that are refreshing, endearing, and heartwarming. There's always a smile, unmatched joy, on his face, as he prepares his dishes, even something as seemingly simple like the tapioca boba recipe or a mango jelly summer cake.

He clearly loves what he does: And this enthusiasm is what adds a flavour to his videos. He rolls in with conviction: That you can cook, bake like him too.

What keeps him going

Speaking to us about his TikTok journey, he recalls what fuels him to keep going. “The incredible audience inspired me. TikTok users are vibrant, full of life, and remarkably engaged, exactly the kind of energy that fuels any content creator’s passion,” he shares.

To keep that energy flowing, Baeshen, now plans ahead. “Recently, I began planning my recipes in advance by creating detailed schedules. Organising my ideas early gives me more room to be creative and innovate without pressure.”

Why Arabic food is close to his heart

In all the dishes that he brings to life on TikTok, it’s Arabic cuisine that remains close to his heart. Explaining why, he says, “It’s rich, layered flavours and the intricate interplay of spices and ingredients create a depth that is simply unmatched,” adds Baeshen

Keeping up with trends

Nevertheless, being a food creator, means keeping up with trends as well as staying true to his brand. So, how does he manage it? “I maintain two content streams: my ongoing series, such as ‘Moroccan Food’ and ‘Watermelon and Egg Series,’ and trending topics. By staying consistent with my signature themes while embracing trends, I keep my content authentic yet relevant,” he notes.

Yet, the biggest hurdle isn’t the filming or editing, it’s staying fresh. “Consistency without losing creativity is the biggest challenge. Balancing my original content series with fresh trends helps me navigate that challenge effectively,” he says.

So what’s the dish he is excited about now?  “Kabsa Elham.” He shares, “I even added it to my restaurant’s menu, and it quickly became the top-ordered item — it’s been a hit!”

Behind the screen: The real Baeshen

What’s better: He makes it a priority to engage with his audience beyond the screen. He shares fun behind-the-scenes moments, bloopers, to show, the real, unfiltered side of cooking. And, he stays genuine in the comments and works to meet his followers in person when they visit his restaurants. Now, that’s a true sense of community.

No doubt, there will be mishaps. But he shows his audience those too. “Showing imperfections makes the journey more relatable and authentic,” he says.

To manage the pressure of staying creative, he’s built a strong team around him. “Building a great team has been the game-changer. We support each other, brainstorm together, and celebrate every success as a team — making the creative process enjoyable rather than stressful.”

And, production has also evolved over time. “In the beginning, I did everything on my own, which was overwhelming. Now, with a dedicated team where everyone has a specific role, the process has become much more efficient and enjoyable.”

Advice for creators

For creators looking to merge food content with other interests, Baeshen has one simple strategy. “Food content blends seamlessly with any other passion, be it travel, sports, or beyond. My advice is to keep 70% of your content focused on your core niche and weave the secondary passion into quieter periods to maintain consistency and engagement.”

He also advises, “Clarity is key. Know exactly what you want to offer and how you want to present yourself. Random, unplanned content might gain attention for a moment, but it won’t build lasting influence.”

From kabsa kingship to culinary creativity, Baeshen proves that clarity, community, and a little bit of humor go a long way in building a meaningful digital food journey.