Oman Famous Foods: Try The Traditional Dishes!

The Arabian Peninsula’s hidden gem, Oman, offers visitors a culinary experience that combines aromatic spices, slow-cooking methods, and fresh ingredients. 

With a cuisine shaped by its coastal location, desert landscape, and centuries of trade, Oman’s famous food carries influences from Indian, Persian, East African, and Arabian cooking traditions.

In this guide, we’ll explore twenty authentic Omani dishes that showcase the country’s diverse flavors. 

1. Shuwa

Shuwa stands as the most celebrated traditional food of Oman, prepared for important occasions like Eid festivals and weddings. Marinated lamb or goat is wrapped in banana or palm leaves, then slowly roasted in an underground sand oven for up to two days. 

• Must try: Traditional recipe during Eid celebrations
• Price Range: ₹866 – ₹1,080 (4.00 – 5.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Aromatic rice and fresh Omani bread

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2. Majboos

Majboos (also called Makbous or Kabsa) combines basmati rice with meat in a dish that appears at most Omani gatherings and celebrations. The rice absorbs the flavors of chicken, lamb, or beef, along with a fragrant blend of saffron, cardamom, dried lime, and other aromatic spices. 

• Must try: Traditional preparation with lamb or chicken
• Price Range: ₹541 – ₹650 (2.50 – 3.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Yogurt, fresh salad, and spicy daqoos sauce

3. Mashuai

Mashuai features whole kingfish, a staple along Oman’s extensive coastline, grilled or roasted to perfection. The fish is typically seasoned simply with a marinade of lemon, turmeric, and coriander to enhance its natural flavor. This dish represents the best food to try in Oman for seafood lovers seeking to experience the country’s maritime culinary traditions.

• Must try: Fresh from coastal restaurants
• Price Range: ₹649 – ₹866 (3.00 – 4.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Lemon rice or flatbread

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4. Mishkak

Mishkak brings Omani flavors to the street food scene with skewered, marinated meat grilled over charcoal. These popular kebabs feature lamb, beef, or chicken seasoned with a blend of cumin, coriander, and turmeric. 

• Must try: From street vendors with the traditional spice blend
• Price Range: ₹325 – ₹433 (1.50 – 2.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Omani bread and tangy dipping sauce

5. Harees

Harees brings comfort during the holy month of Ramadan through its simple yet nourishing qualities. This porridge-like dish combines wheat berries and meat (usually lamb or chicken) that cook slowly until they merge into a smooth, thick consistency. 

• Must try: During Ramadan for the most authentic experience
• Price Range: ₹433 – ₹541 (2.00 – 2.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: A drizzle of ghee and sometimes dates

6. Kootan

Kootan showcases the importance of preserved foods in Omani culinary traditions. This dish combines rice with dried or salted fish, cooked together with onions and Omani spices like turmeric and black pepper. 

• Must try: In coastal towns where the seafood is freshest
• Price Range: ₹433 – ₹541 (2.00 – 2.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Fresh salad and yogurt

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7. Makbous

Makbous represents another variation of Oman’s beloved spiced rice traditions. Basmati rice cooks with meat or chicken and a warming blend of turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and saffron. 

• Must try: With tender chicken and aromatic spices
• Price Range: ₹541 – ₹650 (2.50 – 3.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Daqoos sauce (spicy tomato) and yogurt

8. Mashakeek

Mashakeek offers a smaller version of mishkak skewers, featuring bite-sized pieces of marinated meat grilled over charcoal. These smaller skewers make perfect street food in Oman, often sold by vendors in markets and along busy roads. 

• Must try: From market vendors with fresh bread
• Price Range: ₹325 – ₹433 (1.50 – 2.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Omani bread and daqoos sauce

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9. Kebab

Kebab in Oman follows the wider Middle Eastern tradition but with distinctly Omani seasoning. Skewered pieces of chicken or beef are salted and spiced, then grilled to juicy perfection over open flames. 

• Must try: With Omani spice blend and fresh off the grill
• Price Range: ₹433 – ₹541 (2.00 – 2.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Vegetables, bread, and yogurt sauce

10. Muqalab

Muqalab represents the waste-not tradition in Omani cooking, utilizing various organ meats including heart, liver, lungs, and tripe. These parts are cooked with a complex spice mixture featuring cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, ginger, garlic, and nutmeg.

• Must try: At traditional local restaurants
• Price Range: ₹541 – ₹650 (2.50 – 3.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Rice or bread to balance the rich flavors

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11. Arsiya

Arsiya offers a comforting dish of chicken and rice mashed together until creamy and smooth. Seasoned simply with salt and basic spices, then topped with ghee or butter, this dish represents home cooking at its most basic yet satisfying. Arsiya is particularly popular with children and those seeking simple, digestible meals.

• Must try: Home-cooked version if possible
• Price Range: ₹433 – ₹541 (2.00 – 2.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Ghee and a side salad for freshness

12. Sakhana

Sakhana provides sustenance during Ramadan as a thick, nourishing soup. This hearty mixture combines wheat, dates, molasses, and milk, sometimes with meat for added protein. The sweet-savory combination delivers quick energy when breaking the fast, making it particularly valued during the holy month.

• Must try: During Ramadan for an authentic experience
• Price Range: ₹325 – ₹433 (1.50 – 2.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Fresh bread for dipping

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13. Qabuli

Qabuli stands as one of the top dishes in Oman that reflects the country’s historical connections to wider Middle Eastern cuisine. Rice mixed with tender camel meat or chicken cooks until perfectly done, then receives a finishing touch of ghee. 

• Must try: Traditional version with camel meat for the full experience
• Price Range: ₹649 – ₹758 (3.00 – 3.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Fresh salad and pickles for contrast

14. Mazbi

Mazbi showcases an ancient cooking technique where meat or chicken cooks on hot stones placed above coal. This method imparts a distinctive flavor while keeping the meat juicy and tender. The dish is typically seasoned simply with salt and spices, letting the unique cooking method create the primary flavor profile.

• Must try: Traditional preparation with locally raised meat
• Price Range: ₹541 – ₹650 (2.50 – 3.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Rice, salad, and traditional bread

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15. Camel Stew

Camel Stew represents a true Omani specialty rarely found outside the Arabian Peninsula. This hearty dish features tender camel meat slow-cooked with spices and root vegetables until everything melds into a rich, flavorful stew. Considered a delicacy, this dish connects modern Omani dining to the country’s desert heritage and nomadic traditions.

• Must try: At specialized traditional restaurants
• Price Range: ₹758 – ₹975 (3.50 – 4.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Rice or bread to soak up the flavorful sauce

16. Mushaltat

Mushaltat offers a versatile flatbread that appears on many Omani tables. These thin, layered wheat breads come with various fillings, the vegetarian versions feature cheese, honey, or vegetables. The bread layers create a pleasing texture, while the fillings provide bursts of flavor in each bite, making this a satisfying snack or side dish.

• Must try: Cheese-filled version with honey drizzle
• Price Range: ₹216 – ₹325 (1.00 – 1.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Tea or yogurt for dipping

17. Rukhal Bread

Rukhal Bread serves as the foundation of daily eating in Oman. This crisp, round flatbread made from a simple mixture of flour, water, and salt accompanies almost every meal in Omani homes. The bread bakes quickly on a hot metal dome called a saj, creating a thin, flexible bread perfect for scooping up sauces or enjoying with honey and cheese.

• Must try: Fresh from a traditional bakery
• Price Range: ₹108 – ₹162 (0.50 – 0.75 OMR)
• Best Served With: Honey, cheese, or used to scoop up stews

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18. Halwa

Halwa stands as Oman’s most beloved sweet, a thick, jelly-like dessert that’s essential at celebrations and when welcoming guests. This must try food in Oman combines sugar, honey, rose water, eggs, nuts, and spices into a distinctive treat that’s uniquely Omani. 

• Must try: Traditional recipe with saffron and nuts
• Price Range: ₹325 – ₹433 (1.50 – 2.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Omani coffee (kahwa) and dates

19. Dates

Dates hold special significance in Omani culture as both food and a symbol of hospitality. These sweet fruits grow throughout the country’s oases and form a dietary staple. Offered to guests immediately upon arrival as a welcoming gesture, dates provide quick energy and showcase the many varieties grown in Oman’s diverse climate zones.

• Must try: Local varieties like Khalas, Fardh, or Khunaizi
• Price Range: ₹108 – ₹216 (0.50 – 1.00 OMR)
• Best Served With: Kahwa (Omani coffee) in small cups

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20. Shorbat Adas

Shorbat Adas provides comforting nourishment through a simple yet flavorful lentil soup. Made with onions, tomatoes, and Omani spices, this hearty dish offers a complete meal when served with bread. The vegetarian version uses vegetable stock as its base, creating a protein-rich option for those avoiding meat in their diet.

• Must try: Home-style preparation with fresh spices
• Price Range: ₹216 – ₹325 (1.00 – 1.50 OMR)
• Best Served With: Fresh bread for dipping

Omani Dining Customs and Etiquette

Understanding how meals are served and enjoyed in Oman enhances your culinary experience:

• Meals are often eaten communally, with diners seated on carpets around a central platter
• Food is traditionally eaten with the right hand only (the left is considered unclean)
• Omani coffee (kahwa) service follows specific rituals and is central to hospitality
• Meals typically begin and end with dates and coffee
• Refusing food or drink can be considered impolite – small portions are acceptable
• Restaurants often have separate family sections for women and mixed groups
• Traditional restaurants may not have tables and chairs, but rather floor seating
• Many dishes are eaten with bread rather than utensils
• Expressing appreciation for the food is always welcome

FAQs

What is Oman’s national dish?

Shuwa is widely considered Oman’s national dish. This slow-cooked meat is prepared by marinating lamb or goat with spices, wrapping it in banana leaves, and cooking it in an underground sand oven for up to two days.

What are some vegetarian options in Omani cuisine?

Vegetarian options in Omani cuisine include mushaltat (stuffed flatbread), shorbat adas (lentil soup), various rice dishes without meat, and numerous bread varieties. Sweet options like dates and halwa are naturally vegetarian.

Where can I find the best traditional Omani food?

The best authentic food in Oman can be found in local restaurants called matabakh in cities like Muscat, Nizwa, and Salalah. For a truly authentic experience, look for places frequented by locals rather than tourist establishments, or consider home dining experiences offered by some tour companies.

What is the most popular street food in Oman?

Oman’s famous foods include mishkak (meat skewers), shawarma, and various flatbreads like mushaltat. These affordable options are available from street vendors and small shops, offering quick meals for locals and visitors.