Top 10 culinary specialities in Muscat

So you’ve opted for Muscat, the capital of Oman, for a break between the mountains and the desert? What a wonderful idea! Usually, people flock to Barcelona, Venice or even Monaco. Muscat has just as much charm. And what’s its added bonus? As well as its fascinating history dating back to antiquity, the food in its restaurants and on its streets is literally to die for. Fish, vegetables, meat and, of course, sweet treats. Welcome to Muscat, home to a wide range of Middle Eastern specialities. Don’t wait any longer to discover our list of dishes and foods to try…

What to eat in Muscat Our top 10 culinary specialities.

1. Kebsa

Here’s a dish much eaten in Saudi Arabia, which has quickly conquered the hearts and stomachs of the inhabitants of Muscat, and more generally of Oman. A perfect reflection of Middle Eastern traditions and flavours, kebsa is made with rice, particularly tender mutton and chicken. A somewhat ‘special’ blend of spices is also added, giving the dish a sensational smell and taste. Considered Oman’s most popular national dish, you’ll find it absolutely everywhere in its capital, Muscat. It’s delicately spiced to give you an explosive mouthfeel.

2. Shuwa

What makes this dish unique is that the lamb used in the recipe is cooked directly in the sun… And now that you think about it, there’s no better oven than this enormous star close to the earth. Much eaten in Muscat, shuwa offers meat (wrapped in banana leaves) that reveals all its flavours: thanks to this unique cooking method. The lamb is both moist and juicy, which will melt the hearts of our carnivorous friends. The history of the dish is just as unique, since it was the Bedouin tribes who came up with the idea of cooking it in this way, so that they could keep the meat for longer.

3. Biryani

Originally from the Indian continent, Biryani is one of Muscat’s specialities. It is a local dish, enjoyed at family meals. It is prepared with chicken, lamb, rice and several vegetables. It is mixed with various spices (like almost all the dishes), including saffron, coriander and even ginger. This is a very popular dish with visitors, who appreciate the way the meat is cooked. In Persian, ‘biryani’ means ‘grilled’. To tell you the truth, the secret of this tasty dish lies in the way the different meats are cooked: it could be chicken, prawns, lamb or something else.

4. Dates

Dates, the fruit of the date tree, are THE star fruit of the Middle East. They are used in many recipes, from savoury to sweet. Dates are between 4 and 6 centimetres long, contain a stone and are sold absolutely everywhere in Muscat. So come and enjoy some good, freshly-picked, ripe dates. As well as providing energy, dates help to reduce the risk of cholesterol and improve digestion, not to mention their high iron content. With its melt-in-the-mouth texture and honeyed aftertaste, let yourself be swept away in a whirlwind of flavours. Oman has nearly 8 million date palms.

5. Lemon Mint

Here’s a cold drink you’ll be delighted to drink, especially in a desert! A refreshing drink, lemon mint is made with mint and lemon juice. In fact, it’s THE drink used to beat the heatwave. Those who drink it feel as if their energy has been boosted. This sweet lemonade, mixed with water, is at the top of menus in bars, restaurants and, of course, in small stalls around town. Everyone can drink it, young and old, and enjoy an exquisite, carefully prepared beverage at the same time.

6. The Mishkak

Here’s another typical Omani dish, which has quickly become a classic in Muscat. Mishkak can be eaten on the go, and if there’s one food that’s ‘street food’ in Oman, this is it. These are skewers of marinated meat: you can find them with fish (a real delicacy), lamb, beef and, of course, chicken. Everything is grilled and marinated in spices. They are then inserted into iron skewers to make them easier to eat. It’s a typical dish at local festivals, with everyone carrying a skewer of mishkak in their hand.

7. Kahwa

Originally from Pakistan and Afghanistan, kahwa is drunk throughout the Middle East. If we told you it was a coffee, would you believe us? And yet… Kahwa is a coffee with a distinctive flavour, but above all its colour is yellow, with orange tones. To prepare it properly, the coffee beans are roasted and ground, before being mixed with rosewater, a little cardamom and saffron (hence the unusual colour of the coffee). The combination of all these ingredients makes a pleasant drink that coffee lovers are sure to love, and will be delighted to enjoy with a date.

8. Jareesh

This is a particularly nutritious dish, usually eaten for breakfast. It’s a great way to get your strength up for the day. Jareesh is made with wheat groats, mixed with various types of meat such as chicken or lamb. The finishing touch is fried onion pieces, which give the dish a crunchy edge that always melts whoever tastes it. The wheat is soaked overnight before preparation, and boiled with the meat. Finally, the mixture is beaten to form a sort of porridge, which is flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom, parsley and a light spoonful of sugar.

9. Breads

Be careful, we’re not talking about just any type of bread. Forget the usual long, soft French baguettes. The breads of Oman, and therefore Muscat, are varied, and are eaten with meat dishes in particular. Some are thick, others are circular, perfect for spreading on toast with grilled meat, and still others are thin and crunchy, a bit like rusks… We could go on and on, there’s so much to say about the different breads of Oman. We’ll let you discover them!

10. The Halwa

We end our ranking with a dessert: halwa. It’s made with honey, eggs, nuts, spices, rosewater (a real treat) and a few mild spices. It’s quite a “family” dessert. When the meal is over, it is placed in the middle of the table, in a large bowl with several spoons, so that everyone can enjoy it. It’s a convivial dish, best enjoyed with loved ones, while reminiscing about a lovely day spent in Muscat.