Before I landed in Oman almost six years ago, the concept of Arabic food was alien to me. Though there are a few places where Middle Eastern cuisine was served in my hometown Bangalore, I never got an opportunity to try out the food. My tryst with Arabic food began with the popular Shawarma (which I am told originated in Turkey). In fact, most of my dinner in those few months I spent without my family consisted of two shawarmas.

I was in awe of the very idea of shawarma, basically a sandwich made using khubs (Arabic bread) with meat (shaved off a large rotating cone of layered meat) and other condiments. If this was how Arabic food tasted, I knew there was a world out there to discover. Once my family joined me, the foodie in me resurfaced. I (with family) began restaurant hopping and tried out every cuisine available from different parts of the world. The best part has been that most of these dedicated restaurants serve traditional dishes from the part of the world they come from.

During one of my discover-the-world cuisine drives, I landed at the famous Istanbuly restaurant in Al Khuwair. A friend had recommended Istanbuly’s signature shawarma. I must admit it has been one of the best shawarmas I have ever had – juicy and melt-in-your-mouth experience. I graduated to their grills and found that yummy too (I am not a red meat eater, so chicken and fish is what I tried).

Having discovered a little more about Arabic food and having thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I was quick to react when a friend suggested the Turkish House restaurant in Al Khuwair. I went there the very next day.

Until today I have never had a bad experience there. Over a period of time we have regularly enjoyed awesome salads, mezzes, fluffy Turkish bread, grilled fish and chicken kebabs too. I love their sheesh taouk. The delicacy is made of char-grilled cubes of chicken marinated with the chef’s secret recipe and cooked on skewers. They served it on
bread coated with sesame seeds and it is a great experience. But what takes the cake is the seafood there. I must admit, Turkish House is a must visit place for sea food lovers in town. You can actually choose the fish from the counter where it is displayed and they will cook it for you. Within minutes you will get a very healthy option of a nicely grilled fish. If a foodie gets amazing food at affordable prices what else can he can ask for?

If you’re in the mood for a good Arabic food experience, I would also recommend Automatic, the Lebanese restaurant in Shatti Al Qurum. Their chefs really know how to tease your taste buds. Their falafels and grilled hammour are awesome. But, the best falafels I have had till date are from Musandam Café in Muscat Intercontinental Hotel. Crispy to core, it was an experience I will never forget. I remember gorging on eight falafels in one go. I am waiting for the day to try out authentic Omani cuisine and I am told they have an interesting range as well. From my experience, Arabic food is very healthy since it primarily focuses a lot on soups, green salads, grilled food, fresh juices among other things. To make it more healthy, the shawarma makers should keep out the mayonnaise and French fries out of those yummy sandwiches.

I have done my bit to popularise Arabic food among my friends and family circle. Indians and people from the subcontinent in Muscat are quite infamous for sticking to their food during eating out sessions. But once you get them to sink their teeth into other cuisines, then they get hooked on as well. I have tried that with my friends and it has worked.

‘Eat in Arabia as Arabs do’ is my second advice to all those who love eating traditional foods. Bring a touch of tradition to the culinary experience and you’ll enjoy it more. I am not done yet with my Arabic food experience in Oman. There are more than half-a-dozen places on my wish list which serve specialties like Mutabbal, Baba ghanouj, stuffed vine leaves, Eish al saraya and Fried kebbeh and much more. Unfortunately, the list keeps growing with a new restaurant opening in the town every other day.

Wish me good luck. Bon Appétit.

(This piece was published in Times of Oman’s Art of Cooking – Flavours of Arabia. PDF link here)