7 Must Try Traditional Dishes of Oman – Savour the authentic tastes of Oman!

Mashakek meaning grilled skewers in Swahili is available all around the Sultanate. Observe the smoky barbeque grills at street corners as evening falls. Near every barbeque grill stands an icebox full of skewers. Be it lamb, seafood, beef or other meat, thoroughly marinated with a combination of spices predominantly East African. Grab a few of these aromatic skewers along with the sauce and relish them at a park or in your vehicle as most visitors from Oman business hotels do.

Made with chicken, beef or fish using a rich tomato base and slow-cooked to the consistency of a stew, this immersive and flavour-packed stew is served with steamed rice and is ideal for lunch or dinner. Served at many restaurants, this dish is enjoyed by guests at hotels such as Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort.

A speciality dish of rice made with lamb or beef stew sprinkled with a fist full of spices such as cloves, cardamoms, pepper, masala powder etc. making it full of mouthwatering aromas. Freshly prepared Qabuli is well coupled with Saloona in its rich tomato base to make a hearty lunch or dinner for hungry mouths.

This sweet is enjoyed by many Omani households and offered as an after-meal sweet accompanied by coffee to their visitors. A mix of cornstarch rose water and sugar with butter or ghee and cooked slowly over a low fire stirring constantly. Once it reaches the desired consistency nuts, sesame seeds etc are added to enhance the taste. Reddish brown this sweet is enjoyed by locals and visitors.

Referred to by different names such as Riggag, Omani Khubz or Khubz Rahal is a thin layer of wheat flour bread. This bread is usually used for breakfast with an egg and beans, however, evolving with time and using various accompaniments as snacks, such as cream cheese, honey and potato crisp etc. Served hot, these snacks are relished by locals and visitors.

Made at many Omani homes and encountered at roadside sellers, Harees is made using boiled wheat that is crushed to a thick texture. Meat, beef or chicken is added and topped with butter or ghee and cooked slowly until the meat is tender and the dish is full of aromas. A filling and healthy meal, Harees is enjoyed especially at break-fast times during the holy Ramadan fast period.

A power-packed wrap made using pita bread, the Shawarma includes a variety of things. Thoroughly marinated and grilled lamb or chicken, shredded, topped with freshly made French fries, mixed with garlic paste and with pickles folded in. Fill the pita bread wrap with the mix and the awesome Shawarma is ready with your favourite sauce.