Cuisine

It is no wonder that Omani cuisine is a tasty blend of flavours as Oman lies at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. A long tradition of seafaring and trade has brought culinary influences to the Sultanate from the far reaches of the known world. Over time these have been adopted into the ethnic tastes of the country. The diverse terrain of the country has created styles of cooking that vary from region to region.

The first thing that most visitors will sample is Omani coffee (kahwa). Rich and aromatic, Kahwa has a remarkable taste of its own giving it a place of its own amongst the traditional bevarages found in the Middle East. Served from the typical metallic or ceramic jug called 'Dallah' into tiny cups, kahwa is made from fresh coffee beans that are roasted and ground to a fine powdery consistency. This is then brewed with water and spices, notably cardamom and is served without sugar. The traditional accompaniments to Kahwa are dates and 'Halwa'. You will find fresh and dried dates at most supermarkets. Halwa is a confection made from sugar and spices and flavoured with sesame seeds or almonds. This rich flavourful dish is a local favourite.

Aroma is intrinsic to the cuisine and comes from the variety of spices that are liberally used, cinnamon, cardamom,cloves,black pepper, onion ,ginger, garlic and lime but the piquancy that marks Asian cuisine is missing.

But one thing cannot be denied is that Omani hospitality that accompanies the serving of every meal. Food and festivity go hand in hand and festivals are celebrated with special dishes that are a gourmet's delight. The two main religious festivals- Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha feature specially prepared dishes. The principal dish is Shuwa, the preparation of which sometimes whole villages participate. An entire cow or goat is marinated in a mix of dried spices, wrapped in banana leaves and then roasted for over 48 hours in a special underground pit oven.

Eid al Fitr is celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. In Dhofar and Wusta, the festivities commence with ruz al mudhroub, a dish of rice is served with fried fish and maqdeed (specially dried meat). In Muscat, Al Batinah, Dahira and the Sharqiya muqalab is included in the menu. This dish made of tripe and duck flavoured with ground and crushed spices. Other dishes include arisia, lamb cooked with rice and mishkak, chargrilled, skewered meats (kebabs).

During Ramadan, when breakfast occurs only after sunset, the two popular dishes served during this time are sakhanka, a thick sweet soup made of wheat, date molasses and milk and fatta, a meat and vegetable dish mixed with Omani unleavened bread, khubz rakhal.

This breaking of the fast, known as Iftar, is celebrated in every Omani home as well as in major hotels and restaurants.

A wide variety of soups can be found in the daily cuisine, made from lentils,vegetable, lamb or chicken. Omanis are also fond of salads made from fresh vegetables, smoked eggplant, tuna, dried fish and watercress. Main course dishes are many ranging from Marak, a vegetable curry, to smoked kebabs,barbecued, grilled, curried meats, chicken and fish. Rice is used extensively from plain steamed to biryanis. An array of breads can also be savoured from plain, unflavoured, to those flavoured with dates, sesame, thyme and garlic. Round off a robust Omani meal with the rich, dark and temptingly sweet halwa for a completely satisfying experience.

Where to savour the flavours of Oman
Seblat Restaurant at the Al Bustan Palace hotel. This is the most authentic experience of traditional Omani hospitality complete with tents, swaying palms, the fragrance of frankincense and sweet smell of rose water. Live folk dances are performed including the traditional sword dance. Women can have their hands and feet decorated in henna, another Omani tradition. Contact the Al Bustan Palace Hotel for more details.

Ofair Public Foods Restaurant
Located next to the Al Khuwair Shell filling station this restaurant has 13 ethnically furnished rooms that can accommodate upto 150 persons. A three-course meal costs under R.O. 2.000 per person. For more information click here

Bin Atique for traditional Omani Foods
Located next to Ofair this restaurant offers a variety of northern and southern Omani cuisine. For more information click here