EAT IN ASIA / Destinations / Oman
MUST – Lunch in Oman with local people in a rural area
While many things might be skipped during your stay in Oman, one of the things that should not be excluded from your itinerary and from your plans are relaxing and slow moments spent with local people.
That said, every time we have such an opportunity, we do it and we do try to chat with them, share with them our experiences and listen to their stories or opinions. It is really so nice and so educative! You even cannot imagine how many things you can learn from them. And these things are not related to their customs, the country and their history, politics, or economy etc., but also about local believes, life and spirituality.
If you are in Oman, as long as you are not concentrating only on you and running from one sight to another, you will definitively have many chances to spend time with local people. They are so nice and so welcoming! It is hard to believe, but yes, they are so. That is a great nation, full of passion, love and, of what is so important nowadays – calm and relax.
In Oman, wherever you are, you will always have a chance to chat with local people. Either in a taxi, in the bus, on a street, in a restaurant or in a park. There will invite you to accompany them for some moments. That is the most typical situation, but if you are more opened and good-hearted, you might even experience something more.
One day we decided to visit a more secluded place in Oman. Secluded does not mean being on a tourist map, but further from all big cities and towns.
And if you help your good luck just a little bit, then you might be awarded even double. And that is what happened to us. Just from the good heart we gave a free pick up to a young guy from Muqal. This tiny village is located close to the site of Wadi Bani Khalid Pools and the Cave. The guy was walking along the road leading to the Wadi Bani Khalid Pools and was trying to grab a pickup. He was tired because he was returning from the hospital where he was treated. That is what we heard from him during our ride. So we cleared our rear seat and let him in.
He was chatting with us all the time. He gave us some hints and tips on the Wadi Bani Khalid Pools and the Cave. Proposed us help in visiting them and gave some information about these places.
Finally, when we reached the site, we separated, and we spent our time in our way. He did the same. We enjoyed observing people, drinking some drinks, and having our lunch sitting on rocks from which it was possible to have a magnificent view over pools.
After that the guy found us again and asked if we would like to visit his house and have some coffee with him.
What a nice surprise for us! Such a great option to see how do local people live. To see how their houses look like, how do they serve food and how they cook.
So not thinking too long we eagerly accepted that nice invitation and both gave him a pickup till his house and went for the coffee or lunch break.
After arriving to his place we were taken to the kitchen where he was preparing the food for all of us.
The kitchen was relatively spacious, had a lot of free space in the middle and although modestly furnished, it was cozy and functional. Apart from main utensils, fridges, sink and closets, there was some room for storing food like noodles, milk, flour, rice and cans with tomato sauce and beans. All that made this space extremely functional and with everything that is needed in the reach of your hand.
He asked us to sit down on the floor and put a foil in the middle on which the food was served. While we were chilling and skipping the heath from outside, he was preparing coffee and some snacks.
In the beginning, coffee was served. He gave us small cups that were filled with dark coffee. The coffee was really tasty, prepared with some herbs and spices like cardamon and cinnamon. It was delicious. It was neither bitter nor sweet. Just ideal and with these nice oriental notes. In the meantime, he brought an enormous bowl of freshly picked dates from his family’s orchard.
These dates were so smooth, so delicate and so fresh. They were creamy, had a nice melty texture and were so sweet! The pit from the inside easily could be removed and was very soft. What was interesting for us, the boy was selecting best dates for us using his fingers and touching each of the date. Quite surprising way of serving something to your guest in our European culture. However, we completely did not take care about all these hygienic aspects and contamination. We offered tens of handed dates and were sipping our coffee that was being systematically refilled.
After we finished the coffee, when we thought that it would be a good moment for leaving the house not wanting to stay there too long and not to exceed their hospitality, we were immediately served with a home-made Omani bread (khubz ragag). This bread was served on a large plate and accompanied by a canned sour cream and dates syrup.
What is an Omani bread AKA ‘khubz ragag’?
Omani bread known as ‘khubz ragag’ is made with only three simple ingredients. This ingredients’ list includes water, flour, and salt. Mixed in a proper proportion they are all mixed together and baked on a hot pan.
The dough that is prepared for the ‘khubz ragag’ must have a special consistence. It should be very wet and easily sticking to your hand. It is not easy to make it at home as it requires a lot of practice. But finally, when you are a master, then you get a super thin, pancake like bread that is super natural and extremely soft.
Local families make it either every day or trice to twice a week. However, no matter when they bake it, the bread keeps its freshness for a long time. This softness and tenderness are so wonderful!
Served side dishes or better to say, extras, no matter whether they are sweet, like a date syrup, or sour cream, go very well with this traditional Omani bread.
It was delicious! We ate plenty of it, because our host was so generous and every time, he saw that our plate was almost empty, he was adding more and more.
Finally, we managed to politely thank him for his hospitality and we left.
The whole experience was really unique. Something that you cannot describe easily and something that will stay in our memories for years. This atmosphere, his politeness and the possibility of seeing a real rural home. Apart from that, these delicious dates, home-made bread and freshly brewed coffee.
Well, you have to experience it, otherwise it is rather hard to be described.
If you are interessted in our other visits in local homes or on a really organic bread, check the post Have an organic bread in a moonlike landscape in Tunisia.
