Eating well and the generosity of strangers
Our magnificent dinner in Oman
Arabia is a melting pot of cuisines. Of course, foods from the peninsula—United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen— are represented, as well as foods popular with the many workers who have flocked to jobs there.
We’ve seen restaurants specialising in dishes from Bangladesh, India, Ireland, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and more.
But one night’s meal stands out as particularly special for many reasons. We stayed two nights at the Salalah Garden Hotel in the south of Oman. This huge hotel covers more than a city block and is located over an equally large shopping mall complete with countless restaurants and a food court.
But that’s not where we ate. The first day, Poor John and I walked all the way around the hotel. About halfway, we noticed a small restaurant next to a petrol station.
The head chef
This was a magnet to Poor John, but I said I’d really rather not eat in the ‘driveway’ of a service station if I didn’t have to. Of course, the next night that’s exactly where four of us ended up. New Zealand sisters, Rose and Susan joined us.
We were quite surprised to see how busy it was, with customers at tables and plenty of people popping in to pick up takeaway.orders.
There was a menu posted on the wall and a handwritten sign listing the specials.
Specials menu
We ordered the three specials—beef pepper, chicken pepper and the fish fry, which the waiter (owner?) was keen for us to try. Also ordered rice, salad and another chicken dish. As an aside, an Omani rial is worth about A$4.
We chatted with some of the customers and I was allowed to take pictures of the kitchen and staff. But the big surprise came when the food arrived and a customer said that he was paying for our meals. He said, more or less, that we were guests in his country and it was the least he could do.
But we were in for another surprise. The food was superb, especially the fish fry. I could eat that every day. Done to perfection.
As we left, I asked the waiter (owner?) if the man who paid for our dinner was likely to come in again. It seems he eats there regularly, so we asked the waiter to once again pass on our thanks for his generosity.
Notes; If Google maps is right, the restaurant is called Saleemkka’s. Also, this 54-day adventure includes 22 nights of camping. That’s when the group takes turns cooking dinner and breakfast. We have eaten very well.
Saleemkka’s Restaurant in Oman. The petrol station is to the left
Where to next? 
I can understand, John’s attraction to the smaller restaurant. My DAD always said they had the best food and so far that has not let down!
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We totally support hole-in-the-wall restaurants, but the service station driveway made me wary. I know better now.
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I’ve found the same thing on my travels, strangers won’t let you pay for a service
I had my boots sewn up (the sole had come adrift) in Pakistan, he spent two hours sewing them up, by hand, I tried to pay him, only to be told ‘You are a guest in my country’
I have never forgotten that, it’s one of my favourite memories of my travels (I threw him 20 dollars and ran away)
A lady repaired my shirt outside of my campground, she pushed all he other work aside and seed it up, she told me the same thing, I bought her a meal, she just refused money
It seems to me that the people that have so little always give the most
Derrick
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Thanks Derrick for sharing your stories of generosity from strangers. There are so many on our travels.
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Thanks for sharing this idea Anita
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You are most welcome.
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I have had extremely good luck with small, out-of-the-way restaurants around the world. One of the most amazing was down a narrow alley in Izmir. We figured out what to order when we found out that we could all get by in German. I remember that dinner so well. And your benefactor! What a lovely gesture. 🙂
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What a great memory you have from Izmir.
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That is great. We have “kissed a lot of frogs to find a prince” but a prince of a place is always worth it. It is also lovely to have a reminder that despite what the news media blasts at us all the time, there a good people everywhere.
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We have been lucky enough to rarely meet unkindness.
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I was not clear. We too have met kindness everywhere. Our “frogs” were less than satisfactory restaurants.
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We gravitate to holes-in-the-wall. Usually clean and still in business because they are okay.
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What a charming experience 🙂
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And delicious too. 🙂
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There are so many wonderful people in this world, we just have to remember that! Stories like yours remind us of this! Thanks!
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You’re most welcome.
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You are ‘travelling’ and experiencing and learning in a way most people never do. Lucky you – nay, wise you! For an hour there you really were esteemed guests in the country because you showed you were willing to see and learn . . .
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I think travel is all about learning.
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So many riches … a delicious meal in an unlikely place and then the kindness of the fellow customer. Sweet story of what travel is all about!
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These are the memories that stay with us.
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It looks wonderful. People are so kind. I have a horrible feeling people would not be so kind if they came to Britain.
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Here’s hoping that kindness spreads everywhere.
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You did so well seeking this out. I would have been with Poor John
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We were so happy to find it.
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What a wonderful experience, and how magnificent the kindness of that stranger.
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It really was so unexpected and so kind.
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I would never have tried that restaurant, so you taught me a lesson if I ever go to Oman. Amazing that the stranger paid for 4 meals out of natural generosity.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We were so surprised and so appreciative.
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What a wonderful experience, Peggy. Delicious food and a welcoming environment. Isn’t it wonderful to meet people and share a meal that is lovingly prepared.
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We’re in Kuwait now and hope to find another promising place to eat.
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I can hardly wait to join you at the restaurant.
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Stay tuned. Last night’s choice was a disappointment.
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This sounds like just the amazing kind of travel experience that you hope for – local, authentic, unexpected, and good.
Alison
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It really did tick all the boxes.
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Delightful, Peggy. An experience to remember for sure. A combination of good food and a stranger’s generosity.
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An experience we hope to pay forward soon.
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I wondered about that. 🙂
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Looks like my sort of place. Great food! Looking forward to more.
Tony
https://www.breadtagsagas.com/
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We’ve had a lot of great meals, but the fish fry has been among the best dishes.
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LeggyPeggy,
I always like to find a restaurant in which locals frequent. You were fortunate
to find that “Out of the way” restaurant. And they had very good food to eat… especially the Fry Fish! Plus a complete stranger, offered to pay for the meals. As mentioned in the comments, in some of the poorer countries there are always good kind people who are just happy that tourists visit their country.
Sy S
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The generosity and friendliness throughout Arabia has been heartwarming. Two days ago in Riyadh, a restaurant owner would not let us pay for our lunch.
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A beautiful story, well told.
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Thanks so much. A meal worth remembering.
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Moments like this give me hope mankind has what it takes to cross the barriers of aggression find their true kindness. What a lovely evening! xxxxx
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A really special memory.
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