This post is all about traditional Omani breakfast food. If you are new to Oman, you should definitely try these 7 famous breakfast dishes and drinks. They are full of flavour and reveal the rich culinary history of the country.
Watercolour: C. van den Hogen
Omani food is home cooking. Traditionally, people eat with their hands and it is important to eat with the right hand. But, if you are invited to eat in an Omani family, you can definitely ask for a fork or a spoon. What’s more, it is in the tradition for people to sit and eat on the floor. In this case, it is usual to cover the carpet with a plastic sheet.
This dish is a staple of traditional Omani breakfasts but is eaten in Arab countries in general as well as in India. It consists of sweetened vermicelli noodles. The Omani version can come with an Omelette on top but this is mainly in the North of the country. You can sprinkle coconut, nuts or Omani Ghee on top. It comes in 2 versions: a dry one and one with milk. In general, Omani families eat it every 3 or 4 days in their homes for breakfast.
As I researched the origin of the dish and the Omani name (Suwaiwya), I came across Krystelle Dsouza’s blog post ‘Eid Special: Love Seviyan? Here’s how the Sweet Treat Won Over India.’ I couldn’t help but see that the Indian name for this sweet vermicelli dish, Seviyan, is very similar to the Omani name. I found it fascinating to discover that ‘the Sanskrit name for noodles is sevika ‘ and may find its roots in a word meaning ‘thread’ (linked with sewing).
This Youtube video from the ‘Yummy Creation 527’ channel will give you a basic recipe for Balaleet.
This bread is paper thin, almost lace -like, and crispy. It is delicious eaten fresh and warm. It is made with 3 ingredients – water, flour, and salt. The 3 elements are mixed together to form a thick, sticky dough. This dough is then spread out thinly on a griddle in a circular motion. Alternatively, the dough is made in a thinner version and poured on top with a scraper spreading it out to form a circle.
Eaten with anything savoury with sauce (lentils, chick peas, laban…). By the way, the name ‘Khubz yabis’ means ‘dry bread’.
Here, you can watch a Youtube video from Steve Walker’s channel showing a woman making this kind of Omani bread on a griddle.
Quroos (also written (‘qurus’) are small, round pancakes. People usually eat them with honey or date syrup and they are really yummy!
The ingredients are simple: flour, baking powder, eggs, a little salt and water.
Here is a Youtube video from leena’z Oman’s channel which will show you how to make them.
Khabeesa is a traditional breakfast dish in Oman . It is basically a semolina or cream of wheat dish and can be served with melted butter. It is flavoured with saffron, rose water and cardamom.
Here are the ingredients to make Khabeesa. You will find a video on Youtube that shows you how to make it (in Arabic but with translation in the notes).
Shakshuka originally comes from North Africa but it has become a popular breakfast dish in Oman. The Omani version may include some spices and will be eaten with local bread.
The name “Shakshuka” comes from Arabic, meaning “a mixture” or “shaken together,” which reflects the nature of the dish—a mix of poached eggs in a tomato sauce with chili peppers, onions, and often spiced with cumin.
Lolaa bread – and mandazi are slightly sweet breads. Both are fried and have become very popular in Oman. Lolaa can be eaten with chickpeas or cheese inside.
In this video, you can see how it is made. The lolaa bread puffs up, making it light and airy.
Special thanks to Naifa Salim Al Hinai for making the Lolaa – with the photo and the video – specially for the blog.
Omani qahwa is like no other coffee you’ve tasted, thanks to its unique blend of spices. The star ingredient is cardamom, but you’ll often find hints of saffron, cinnamon, and even rose water in the mix. While Oman doesn’t grow its own coffee beans, its long history of trade has helped shape the way locals prepare and enjoy their brew. Green coffee beans are sourced from the souqs (markets), and then the magic happens at home, where they’re roasted and brewed into the fragrant cup of qahwa that’s beloved across Oman. Qahwa is usually accompanied with dates.
If you want to know to navigate cultural expectations of eating in Oman, do check out this blogpost: ’13 do’s and don’ts of eating in Oman.’
(These are not affiliate links but based on my own experience)
This post was all about traditional Omani breakfast. Enjoy these 7 popular dishes and drinks.
Christine is a Muscat-based writer, watercolourist and teacher. She's been living in Oman for 4 years and she's also lived in Jordan and Dubai. She shares resources and stories to help independent travellers plan creative trips and truly experience Middle Eastern cultures.
7 responses
Wonderful informative post, Oman is beautiful. Love your watercolour. You made me want to try every dish!
Brian, hope to see you in Oman again! – Lots of amazing food to try.
Eva, thank you for your encouraging comments. I hope to continue sharing a lot more about the country where I live.
As usual, reading your blogs is joy. You made me decide one day I have to visit Oman.
Thanks, Sofia. I really hope you do visit Oman. It’s a beautiful country and I think you would enjoy the food.
I love it Christine! Really interesting and well explained. And the drawing it’s really cute. Thanks for sharing it with me!