How to eat like a local in Oman

Cuisine in the Sultanate of Oman is very much at the heart of the nation. The ingredients used and methods implemented are insightful as they are destined to leave your foodie senses completely overwhelmed. For first-timers hoping to visit Oman in the near future, here is a guide on how you should approach the task of sampling fare prepared by the Omanis, regardless of where your travels take you.

Garner an understanding of the influences in Omani food

Trade and commerce is an essential discipline whose history goes back to the times when Oman was an empire in the Middle East. Therefore, one will encounter an abundance of inferences and examples that tie in the nation’s culinary scene with those traditions that were practiced in bygone eras. Specifically, the local dishes are prepared with the aid of spices that were imported from East Africa and India while it isn’t uncommon to find coconut milk as an ingredient. Furthermore, the customs of the Gulf have found their way into kitchens, both within homes and restaurants with ingredients in the likes of animal oil, ghee and Omani dried limes appearing across a myriad of dishes. Finally, the geography of Oman successfully adds another layer to how food is perceived and prepared. Given its resource-rich oceans and long coastlines, Oman benefits from a wide spectrum of fish and other types of seafood that continue to be well received by both locals and tourists alike.

Have some Makbous

A Middle Eastern dish that originated in Yemen, Makbous is often found served on a communal tray which in turn, will pleasantly inform you that the said spread is best had in groups. Comprising rice, meat, vegetables and carefully chosen spices that elevate taste levels considerably, Makbous is one of those ‘must try’ types of food when in Oman. As accompaniments, be sure to order some salad, tomato chutney or even yoghurt that would make for quite the hearty and delicious introduction to Oman’s deep-rooted love for food and beverage.

Settle down to a serving of Shuwa

Though similar versions exist across the Middle East, Shuwa is categorised as one of the national dishes that must be given a go before you leave Oman. While goat meat or lamb comes across as the chief ingredient, Shuwa is made by a process of slow-cooking the spice-smeared meat in an underground oven. After this, the meat is served on a bed of rice and eaten in large trays and is often enjoyed during local festivals and celebrations.

Have a taste of Harees

Should you fancy the sublime flavours associated with thick porridges, then what’s stopping you from polishing off the Omani variant titled Harees? Made with the help of ghee, wheat and chicken, the porridge can be delighted in the company of raisin sauce or a handful of sweet dates that will have you returning for seconds no sooner you finish off your first.

Make a date with Mishkak

Street food outings will bring with them opportunities to not only try out mouthwatering delicacies and age-old recipes but will have them firmly placed to mix and mingle with the locals and come to terms with their ways of life. During such adventures, one is bound to experience the marinated speciality called Mishkak. Showcasing a fine blend of marinated meat and seafood which is skewered and grilled until the point where the meat’s flavours and juices ooze out, foodies will be thrilled to bits no sooner their palates come into contact with Mishkak. Cap it all off by selecting either a tangy tamarind sauce or a hot chilli sauce to go with one of Oman’s proudest creations.

Bite into the sensation which is Halwa

Allow the sweet tooth in you to have a whale of a time while on holiday with a helping or two of Halwa. Rated as one of the few authentic desserts in Oman, Halwa is brought into existence by cooking sugar and starch until it reaches a sticky, thick paste. No sooner the correct consistency is reached, the gooey paste is seasoned with the aid of saffron, nuts and rosewater. This dessert can be easily savoured when based at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara which has its own in-house Oman restaurants to dine at.