Discover 13 do’s and don’ts of eating in Oman. You may be worried about what local expectations are for dining. This guide will give you tips to help you navigate Omani do’s and don’ts of eating so you can enjoy a wonderful culinary experience!
It’s usual to serve fruit to guests (photo: Christine van den Hogen joussourtooman.com)
One of the best ways of experiencing a new culture is by trying typical local dishes and drinks – whether this is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Omani food usually features a wide range of rice dishes cooked with chicken, meat, or fish. These are served for lunch (not for dinner!). There are also a lot of salads and some soups.
A yummy looking Chicken Majboos dish (joussourtooman.com)
This is a special honour and will give you a rare chance to see Omani culture ‘from the inside.’ If so, do bring a small gift with you as a token of appreciation. This could be a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers.
It’s usual to bring a small gift when invited to an Omani home (joussourtooman.com)
Before entering your host’s home, it is important to take off your shoes as this is a basic mark of respect towards your hosts. Also, do wait for the host or the most senior person to begin eating. By the way, don’t be surprised if men eat together and women eat together in separate parts of a ‘majlis’ (large room to welcome guests) or in different dining rooms.
Don’t forget to take off your shoes before entering an Omani home (joussourtooman.com)
Eating rice with your hands is tricky and may leave you feeling like a four-year-old as it goes everywhere when not using the right ‘technique’ (yes! There is a technique!). Omani friends have shown me the technique. It involves forming a small ‘ball of rice’ and adding a piece of meat or fish. The ball is then pushed into the mouth with the index in a sliding motion. While locals will insist that ‘Oh! This is easy!’, my experience has shown me that this requires practice!
If you’re not comfortable eating with your hands, you can ask for a fork or spoon (joussourtooman.com)
The usual way is to order tea, coffee, and food from your car. It is not uncommon to see Omani people discussing in their cars while enjoying a drink and snacks.
An Omani classic: cheese and honey with Omani bread (photograph: Christine van den Hogen joussourtooman.com)
Most of the time, they will be able to guide you and explain the ingredients of the dishes. If you don’t like spicy food, make sure to mention this or you might have a few surprises. Certain Omani dishes – and Indian dishes as well – can be quite spicy.
In the Muslim world, people consider the left hand to be ‘unclean’ as it is reserved for bodily hygiene. If, however, you happen to do this by mistake, nobody will hold it against you because they are aware that you are a foreigner and this may not be part of your culture.
Eating with the right hand is connected with the Islamic belief that the left hand is unclean (joussourtooman.com).
If the meal is on the floor, a plastic sheet will protect the carpet from the food. You should sit cross-legged or kneel on one knee. In Arabic culture, the soles of your feet are considered unclean as they touch the ground. As a result, showing someone the sole of your foot is communicating that you view them ‘as lower than dirt.’ So be careful with your feet!
It’s customary to sit cross-legged or kneeling on one knee (joussourtooman.com)
If you finish your cup, your host will keep refilling it.
When you are done, hand the cup – with your right hand – and shake it from side to side to signal that you are ‘done’. The cups will all go in a large bowl of water that is next to the host. Coffee is usually served with dates and a variety of fruit. It is not uncommon for the host to cut up the fruit and hand out pieces to guests.
Omani coffee is generally made with cardamom (joussourtooman.com)
This would be seen as extremely rude as it would be similar to eating from someone else’s plate in a Western country
Everyone has their portion of the dish (photograph: Christine van den Hogen joussourtooman.com)
Omani meals only include a dessert on special occasions (for example, for Eid). People eat biscuits and sweets as snacks. Occasionally, a host may serve halwa at the end of a meal.
Omani halwa (joussourtooman.com)
If eating with Omani people (especially if you have just met them), don’t discuss religion, politics or anything related to sex while sitting together in a group. This will lead to a lot of awkwardness and embarrassed silences.
Everywhere you go, you will find boxes of tissues (Seriously! I had never seen so many boxes of tissues until I came to Oman!). These are available to wipe your hands after having coffee or during meal times. After a meal, it is normal for people to go and wash their hands.
This blog post was all about the Do’s and Don’ts of eating in Oman. It is my hope that during your trip you will have many memorable culinary and cultural experiences.
WELCOME to JOUSSOUR to OMAN
Hello and welcome to Joussour to Oman! I’m Christine van den Hogen, a Franco-British writer, teacher and watercolourist. I’ve been living in the Middle East for 7 years and 4 years in Oman.
I’m passionate about helping independent travellers interested in cultures create immersive journeys.
Joussour to Oman is my cultural travel blog and it’s my hope to share my first-hand experience as someone who lives here as well as insights from local people. I want to share insiders’ tips with you so you can plan your trip to Oman efficiently and truly EXPERIENCE Omani culture when you come.
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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.
