Joanna James
A cuisine influenced by a remarkable variety of countries, Omani food is truly one-of-a-kind. Having a taste of the local food and drinks culture is a must-do whenever you visit a new country and the Sultanate of Oman is no different. Indulge in an assortment of scrumptious local dishes to fully take in the glory of Oman.
A popular meal during the festive month of Ramadan, Harees is a centuries-old dish that dates back to the Armenian period. Resembling the appearance of porridge, the ingredients that usually go into the making of this satisfying meal are coarse wheat and meat. As a dish that is popular throughout the Middle East, different countries create different varieties of the same dish by adding in their authentic taste through local spices and condiments. However, what you'll mostly find in Oman is the traditional Harees served with a special Omani sauce.
Also known as Kabsa or Makboos, Majboos is a chicken mixed rice dish that is heavily influenced by the famous Indian Biryani. Some might even say it's the Biryani of the Arabian Peninsula as Majboos is a meal relished by almost every gulf country, many of them considering it a national dish. While chicken is the typical type of meat that is mixed with the long-grain rice of Majboos, the dish can also be made with lamb, camel meat, fish, or even shrimps.
Shuwa, which is Arabic for grilled meat, is often considered the traditional dish of Oman. Unlike many other Omani foods, this slow-cooked marinated lamb or goat meat dish involves some extensive preparation. As a result, it can mostly be seen during special occasions and the festive season of Eid. However, you can find Shuwa being served at almost every Oman restaurant year-round, even at hotel restaurants like Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort.
A common dish served at birthday parties, weddings, and during the holy week of Ramadan, Halwa is a sticky gelatinous sweet, often relished as a dessert as well. The recipe of Halwa changes from one cook to another, some even guarded as a family secret that is shared only among the members of the family. However, the common ingredients that go into the making of the dish include sugar, eggs, honey, and a variety of spices.
Oman, as well as any other country of the Middle East, is immediately reminiscent of Dates, thanks to those stock images of rows of green palm trees floating around the internet. Dates are a staple as well as a national symbol of the hospitality of Oman, which is usually served with Kahwa, the coffee in Oman. Dates are more than just an item of food that some might even say your trip to Oman isn't complete without tasting some dates.
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