The cuisine of Oman is a mixture of several staples of Asian foods. Dishes are often based on chicken, fish, and lamb, as well as the staple of rice. Most Omani dishes tend to contain a rich mixture of spices, herbs, and marinades. Although Omani cuisine varies within different regions of Oman, most dishes across the country have a staple of curry, cooked meat, rice, and vegetables. Soups are also common and are usually made from chicken, lamb, and vegetables (e.g., smoked eggplant). The main meal is usually eaten in the middle of the day, while dinner is lighter.
Typical Omani dishes
- Harees is wheat mixed with meat.
- Kahwa is an Omani coffee mixed with cardamom powder, often served as a symbol of hospitality. It is often served with dates and Omani halwa.
- Kebab is a dish of curried meat (usually chicken or beef) barbecued or grilled, served with a side of vegetables.
- Mashuai is a dish consisting of a whole spit-roasted kingfish, served with a side of lemon rice.
- Machboos is a rice dish flavored with saffron and cooked over spicy meat.
- Muqalab is tripe and pluck cooked with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, ginger, garlic, and nutmeg.
- Shuwaa is a meal eaten only on festive occasions. The dish consists of a whole goat roasted in a special oven, which is a pit dug in the ground. This is usually a communal activity by an entire village. The meat is flavored with a variety of spices, then wrapped in sacks made of dry leaves, which are in turn placed into the oven.
- Sakhana is a thick soup made from wheat, dates, molasses, and milk, typically eaten during Ramadan.
- Albadhinajan mae tawarikh is a cake made from eggplant, dates and onions.
