Español
  Français

Food, eating habits and cusine of Oman

You are here: Countries / Oman

In Oman, breakfast or meals during the early part of the day are not so significant. Omanis do not exert much effort in preparing this meal. Commonly, bread, tea, and yesterday’s leftovers are the menu for breakfast. In terms of food, life starts by early to mid-afternoon for the Omanis. This is the primary meal of the day. Rice is the inseparable element of Omani cuisine. Generally, during this main meal, a large dish of rice that comes with meat and a thin, tomato-based sauce is served. By “meat”, chicken, beef, or fish is meant. At any point in time, Omani diet does not include pork mainly because it is forbidden by their religion – Islam. After this heavy meal, the diet is back to being light. During the evening meal, again, mostly bread and tea, with the addition of fruits, is commonly served.

The Indian influence on the Omani cuisine is very evident. There are a considerable number of establishments that offer Indian cuisine in Oman, even as a visitor, one cannot simply miss it. Although in the same manner there are a variety of Lebanese and Arabic restaurants found in different places throughout the country. Western influence is not as significant in Oman, though a number of fast food establishments from this region are found in the country but are quite concentrated in the capital locale. Although rather few, there are likewise French, Italian, and other Asian restaurants like Japanese and Chinese, available.

In Oman, dates are important to the diet as well as to their hospitality rituals. Usually, when a guest comes to visit an Omani, dates are served along with an equally significant sweet confection called helwa, along with Oman’s famous strong, cardamom-scented coffee. During the time of Ramadan, Omanis are firm on fasting between sunrise and sunset. Omanis break their fast with dates and coffee as well.