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Oman, an architectural feat, where cultural heritage and contemporary inter-mingle, where freshwater wadis and craggy mountains run wild above and beyond. Is also home to richly diverse traditional food. Infused with Arabian spices of Indian influence, the traditional Omani food emits its savoury aroma on every street corner and house in Oman. Anchored by rich staples such as curry, rice, and vegetables, it heavily resides on the southern-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula with influences from around the region. Omani cuisine is recognised for its ubiquitous use of bold spices and herbs, featuring grilled meat cooked in tender perfection. Omani food history ranges far and beyond, with not just the common misconception of Kabab and Shawarma. In retrospect, it dates back to the 16th century, when Omani cuisine started to innovate outside the conventional rice, bread, and boiled meat meals and Portuguese brought Mediterranean influences on their way to India.
Also, Oman’s unparalleled diversity in its cuisine comes from its maritime history. After the overthrow of the Portuguese, Oman established a sea-trading network south of Iran, India, Pakistan, and most notably Zanzibar. Being integral to the essence of Omani food, Zanzibar holds the most relevancy to the country and its cuisine. Incorporating varied ingredients and spices, Omani traditional food birthed a wide range of delicacies, from savoury to sweet treats.
Traditional Omani Bread Types
Khubz Rahal
An Arabic-style pita bread, Khubz Rahal also known as riggag or Omani khubz features a thin coating of crispy wheat flour bread. Most typically, Omanis eat this for breakfast served with eggs and beans, but it is also paired with cream cheese, honey, and more often than not, potato chips. Albeit being made with simple humble ingredients like flour, water, and salt, Khubz Rahal truly stands out due to its ultra-thin, almost appearing lace-like, and a blank canvas for pairing a variety of foods.
Mardhouf
A flatbread loved by many, if not all, Omanis as flatbreads are an integral part of the daily diet in Oman. Mardhouf, a traditional flatbread, is a must-try bread made with date syrup and ghee, often paired with an assortment of sweetened spreads such as Nutella, strawberry compote, or honey. Washing the sweetness down, a cup of cardamom karak tea or rosewater coffee is the ideal way to indulge in this delicacy.
Omani Savory Dishes
Machboos
A classic dish from the Gulf region, Machboos, the Arabic meaning “be engaged” is a one-pot cooked mixed rice and meat which is reminiscent of biryani in taste. The rice is often blended with saffron and cardamom, which gives a pleasant aromatic experience for a kind taste for your pallet. Its serving style, which always usually comes in a big platter, is the epitome for sharing amongst friends and family, hence the given name of the dish. Machboos is beloved amongst almost all the locals for Omani cuisine and is also a crowd please for tourists.
Shuwa
Served during the Eid holidays, Shuwa is yet another sought-after national traditional Omani dish. Its main counterpart is slow-cooked meat – usually lamb, sheep, or camel, which takes up to 48 hours to prepare. It starts by marinating the meat in spices such as coriander, chilli, cloves, and cumin, then wrapped in banana leaves to put into a date palm and placed into a deeply dug fire pit in the ground. This rigorous method of cooking meat is well-embodied in all Omanis as it dates back to traditional cooking. The result of this process makes tender meat that melts in your mouth as the flavours harmonize into perfect harmony.
Harees Dijaj
As one of Oman’s national foods, alongside Shuwa, Harees Dijaj stands in its glory. It’s a slow-cooked hearty dish made of chicken and barley infused with flavour and history. This dish transcends back to the 10th-century cookbook, Kitab al Tabikh, in which it was mentioned. The word ‘Harees’ derives from the Arabic word Haras which translates to crush or mash equivalent to what Harees Dijaj is made up of, a mash of barley and meat. It is usually served during special occasions like weddings, family gatherings, or Ramadan.
Omani Sweets and Treats
Halwa
Omanis love their sweet things, and Halwa — which translates to ‘sweet’ — is the most beloved delicacy to end the meal with. Halwa is a sweet gelatinous dessert made by cooking down sugar, rose water; saffron, cardamon and mixed nuts. The texture of Halwa is of thick sticky paste and is often served with Omani coffee to offset the sweetness. Most Omanis indulge in this delicacy by visiting one of the most popular small shop in Nizwa specializing in this desert, as families stack up their yearly halwa for holidays or special occasions.
Rose water – Frankincense ice cream
A timeless classic, right in the heart of Hajar Mountain villages, lies a sweet dessert namely — rose water ice cream. It offers luxury yet simplicity, a flavour doused in a luxurious flourish of rose water. To overlap, if you are looking for a more traditional outlook on ice cream, then frankincense ice cream in Salalah is more Omani style offering a more unique flavour.
Omani Traditional Tea
Qahwa Coffee
Similar to most Arabian coffee, Omani “Qahwa”– Arabic word for coffee, offers a blend of refreshing and spicy taste in their coffee. It is infused with cardamom powder in a sloshing hot cup of tea. Qahwa is an integral part of the Omani cultural heritage as it reflects the welcoming essence of the Omani people. It is often served as a sign of hospitality and a kind gesture to guests and is often served with dates to provide subtle sweetness to the bitterness of the coffee.
Karak Tea
Most Omanis start their day by having karak tea – Omani tea. It’s an invigorating way to start the day and is often found in streetside cafes and scattered stalls exclusively of karak tea. Infused with cardamom, it has several varieties, like with/without milk, saturated with mint, thyme, or saffron, and served either hot or cold.
In Summary
Being stellar in every aspect of cultural heritage and natural habitats, Oman is a conventional avant-grande country that transcends traditional into modern tapestry. While at the forefront of inhibiting obsolete history, Oman has a strong hold on its cuisine as it offers an extensive range and influence from other regions. A core part of being an Omani is indulging and sharing the heart-warming food that has been crafted for decades with love and care.
Aside from cuisine, Oman is best known for its craggy mountainous peaks and freshwater wadis, most suitable for hikers of any kind which you can now explore and find out more info here.
