Binge on a Budget: Oman's Bombay Chinese Centre

Money is not the most freely available of resources right now, and here at Hi, we want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to eating out. Binge on a Budget takes you to the best eateries in Muscat where you can get a great, super-filling meal for two, for OMR3 or less. Bon Appetit.

The Place: You might not know it by name, but you’ve certainly seen this little hole-in-the-wall joint in Ruwi. Located right next to Fathima Supermarket, this stall serves up a cornucopia of snacks. While they do have a few tables setup, Bombay Chinese Centre is more often than not frequented by those who’re looking to take away some of their delicious treats which range from crispy samosas and crunchy falafel to more filling Indian and Chinese fare.

Signature dish: Where do I begin? Frequented by people from all walks of life, Bombay Chinese is best known for their samosas. The little ones only cost 100 baisa for a plate of four, while the larger, more traditionally Indian ones filled with diced potatoes and spices, only set you back 50 baisa apiece. Then there’s the lentil doughnuts and idlis — savoury Indian rice cakes — which are served with a side of coconut chutney, also sold for under 100 baisa. A very popular breakfast item, don’t be surprised to see people milling around Bombay Chinese Centre at 7am in search of a cheap and delicious morning meal for less than OMR1.

Also Try: Their sandwiches are truly delectable. My favourite is the omelette sandwich (great after a workout), which only sets you back 200 baisa a pop (250 baisa with Oman chips). Stuffed with salad (if you want) and a slathering of homemade green chutney, all of their filling sandwiches and served between two warm, toasty buns for a very filling meal-on-the-go.

Pro tip: They’ll put anything in bread, you just have to ask.

Add-ons: The good folks at Bombay Chinese Centre also have a variety of fresh juices and are one of the few places in Oman serving sugarcane juice. While it might be a tad steep at 500 baisa a glass, sugarcane juice infusioned with ginger and a dash of lime, is amazingly refreshing and a great counterpoint to the spicy snacks.

Find Them: Bombay Chinese Centre is on Al Noor Street in Ruwi, next to Fathima Supermarket, opposite the Dar Al Atta’a building. They’ll do home delivery to some areas as well.

Call: + 968 9865 2323