How to Eat Like a Local in Oman – From roadside cuisine to high-end Biriyani

 When going on holiday, a good food experience is something anyone looks forward to. Food, in general, is an aspect that tends to be most memorable about holidays. A trip to Oman will be no different. You can be assured to be treated with some wholesome food that will leave you feeling joyful. If you are looking for ways to eat like a local in Oman, here are a few tips that you might feel is useful.

Silpa11, Carrot Halwa - Woodlands Indian Restaurant - Muscat, Oman - DSC 0005, CC BY-SA 4.0

 1. Start with experimenting with snacks and street food

Snacks and street food are two categories that usually set any cuisine apart from others. When considering Oman, dates take prominence in the snack scene. As a crop grown in the Middle East, dates can be seen in almost every restaurant or street food shop as a key ingredient.  Both sweet and savoury snacks feature dates. Another important part of the snack culture is tea and coffee. You can get local coffee that is exceptional compared to your normal cup of coffee. There is also a tea that has been flavoured using local spices and herbs such as turmeric that is quite interesting to consume. So, make sure to include a snack and street food tour in your list of things to do in Nizwa.

 2. Try out the local mains

The next part of your Omani food journey will include eating home-cooked meals. Biriyani is the main meal that is enjoyed by people from across the country. This is mainly considered to be a delicacy after Friday prayers. Families sit together and consume Biriyani, which is made complete with spicey mutton or beef. The curries that go with the Biriyani also include vegetables such as peas, carrots, and potatoes that are all made flavourful with a range of spices and condiments. Flatbread and curry are another famous main dish that is consumed in the country. The flatbread made in Oman is generally browner than other types and thinner as well. They can be eaten with dry toppings or skewers or doused in some delicious curry. From the luxurious dining halls of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort to the cosy family restaurants, these dishes are loved by all. It will always be a great experience to eat at an Omani household for a truly enriching experience with these dishes.

 3. Roadside experience

Eating by the roadside is another great way to immerse in the local food culture. You will see locals stop by the roadside shops on their way to work or back from it. Not only can you enjoy the food they eat, but you can also make this an opportunity to learn ab    out their culture and experiences. The food at the roadside shops can be greasy or food of sugar, but that is the way this part of the food culture works. So, if you want a truly local experience, you must try all these different types of food when you are in Oman.

 4. Vegetarian food experience

You may think that Omani food is only for meat-eaters. It may seem that way with all the food including either mutton or beef. However, there are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from for those who prefer to avoid meat. Some vegetables are cooked in aromatic curries and served with flatbread. You can even get vegetarian versions of the famous Biriyani. And most of the date-based snacks and sweet dishes are vegetarian. So don’t think that you can’t have an excellent food experience in Oman, just because you are vegetarian. You may have to explore a little more, but you will come across items you like.