How to Eat Like a Local in Oman? - Oman food guide!

Omani cuisine is much less spicy and fiery than the countries in the remainder of the Arabian Peninsula. Isn't that a comforting thought? This means you can enjoy this cuisine to your heart's content without worrying about spiciness. Here's a list of some of the most delicious and authentic Omani dishes.

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 Majboos

This dish of saffron-infused rice is prepared with white or red meat. It is also called Kabsa in parts of the Arab world. Majboos, which is Arabic for "to be engaged," is now almost often offered at weddings as well as other significant occasions in Oman. The main components in this recipe are saffron and cardamom. Before incorporating the additional wonderful spices, the beef is cooked first with freshly cut onions and garlic. The rice is cooked separately before being blended with the spiced meat, which turns it golden and creamy. Besides, you can check out these dishes in a hotel in Nizwa the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort which offers a fine dining experience.

 Shuwa 

Shuwa is a celebratory dish that is only eaten on important occasions, such as the Omani festival of Eid. The Shuwa meal is prepared by many Omani households on the first day of the celebration and eaten the next day. Preparing this customary local cuisine takes a very long time and much effort. On the first Eid day, the chopped-up beef, which would be usually lamb, camel, or goat, is spiced with a range of herbs and spices. Families utilise spices like nutmeg, cumin, and coriander in their own special combinations of ingredients. The meat is then wrapped in fresh banana leaf and roasted beneath the ground in a sand oven. Before being hauled out of the ground, it is cooked underground for a day or two. 

Mashuai 

The mouth-watering and exquisite Mashuai is another wonderful meal! This dinner consists of savoury lemon rice as well as kingfish. It makes for hearty and wholesome lunch or dinner.

 Mushaltat 

Mushaltat is a popular Omani dish that consists of soft flatbreads packed with honey, cheese, spinach, or meat. This bread is created with processed wheat flour, which is then kneaded into small pieces of cakes, which are then loaded with a delicious filling and then baked for just about five minutes.

Dates

Dates are a typical Omani delicacy that is frequently served alongside Kahwa. This fruit is the kingdom's national symbol of hospitality. Dates from Oman come in a variety of flavours, sizes, and colours. You can find these fruits pretty much anywhere! 

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 Shawarma 

Shawarmas are a popular sandwich that can be found on the streets of practically every Middle East country! This tasty sandwich is made with spiced meat folded in pita bread. Shawarma places can be found all throughout the city, and the tasty wraps are served hot, with sometimes a garlic paste and some crispy fries! 

 Mishkak

Mishkak is yet another popular dish sold in the streets in this country, comprised of barbecued seasoned meat strips on long wood sticks, commonly chicken, mutton, or beef. It's served with tangy tamarind chutney and can be eaten straight from the sticks or with fresh Arabic bread. 

Halwa

Brown sugar, honey, butter, eggs, and a range of spices are used to make halwa, which is a popular Omani delicacy. It's also available in a variety of flavours, including rose water, cashews, chocolate, almonds, and others. Omani dates also are utilised in some of the halwas. It requires a lot of time to prepare as it is cooked slowly over a wood fire for hours. Halwas can be refrigerated for up to four months and it won't go bad. It is sometimes accompanied by Kahwa, an Omani hospitality emblem.