Oman Food and Drink

 

Food

The cuisine of Oman is a mixture of Indian, Indonesian, Arab and East African influences. Omani people often use various marinades and spices that result in tasty dishes. Various spices, herbs, onions, garlic and lime are used liberally, but unlike other Arabic cuisines, the food of Oman is not hot. Chicken, mutton and fish serve as main ingredients, often accompanied by rice. The main meal in Oman is usually eaten at midday followed by a light dinner.

 

Popular dishes include:

Shuwa: This is a dish traditionally served during festivals. It involves meat that has been seasoned with spices and herbs and then cooked very slowly, sometimes up to two days, in an underground oven. As a result of this process, meat becomes very tender.

Maqbous: This is a rice dish that is yellow courtesy of the saffron used. It is cooked and served over a spicy red or white meat.

Mashuai: This meal consists of a whole spit-roasted kingfish that is then served with lemon rice.

Shows: This is a lamb dish that is cooked in an earth oven for two days with banana and date puree in palm leaves.

 

During Eid, popular dishes include:

Muqalab: Tripe and pluck are cooked with crushed ground spices, usually cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, ginger, garlic and nutmeg.

Arisa: This dish is simply lamb meat that is cooked and served with rice.

 

Drink

Favourite drinks include Laban which is a salty buttermilk. Yoghurt based drinks that are flavoured with cardamom and pistachio nuts are common. Coffee is another favourite, and Khawa is prepared from freshly roasted ground coffee that is mixed with cardamom powder.

 

Things to know:

As Oman is a predominately Muslim country, alcohol can only be purchased by residents who have obtained a personal license. It is sold in some licensed hotels and restaurants. Tipping is not expected in Oman, however, it is becoming more common. A tip of 10% is standard in most hotels and restaurants with licensed bars.

Drinking age:

21.