Arsia Calories Calculator
Arsia is a traditional Omani dish of lamb and rice slow-cooked together until they meld into a rich porridge — similar to harees but using rice instead of wheat. A staple at Omani Eid gatherings and communal feasts. Calculate your calories and macros.
Arsia Oman Calculator
To burn about 195 kcal you may need roughly:
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and common recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredient brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.
How to use this calculator
Weigh or estimate your Arsia portion in grams and enter it above. For context, a arsia 100g comes to about ~175–200 kcal, while a standard bowl 200g is closer to ~350–400 kcal. Home-cooked versions with measured oil sit at the lower end of these ranges, while restaurant plates typically land at the top, so match the estimate to how the dish was prepared.
Arsia Calories Guide
Arsia (عرسية) is a traditional Omani dish with deep roots in Bedouin and tribal cooking. Bone-in lamb is slow-cooked with white rice in a large pot with water, cinnamon, cardamom, and dried lime until the rice completely breaks down and both the meat and grain meld into a thick, smooth porridge. The result is a comfort food of extraordinary depth — the lamb's collagen enriches the rice broth, creating a dish that is simultaneously simple and nourishing. Arsia is served at Omani Eid gatherings, tribal celebrations, and in the interior regions of Oman (Al Dakhiliyah, Al Wusta) as a marker of Bedouin hospitality.
| Portion | Estimated Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arsia 100g | ~175–200 kcal | Small serving |
| Standard bowl 200g | ~350–400 kcal | Typical meal |
| Large Eid serving 300g | ~520–600 kcal | With ghee drizzle |
| With ghee (1 tbsp) | Add 120 kcal | Common Omani finish |
Weight Loss Best Practices
Arsia's calorie density comes from both the rice and lamb. For weight management, serve a 200g bowl without extra ghee — this provides 350–400 calories with good protein content. The thick porridge texture means you eat more slowly and feel fuller for longer, making it naturally portion-controlling. Adding a side of yogurt (laban) instead of ghee reduces calories while adding probiotics and protein.
Muscle Gain and Active Lifestyle
Arsia provides both slow-digesting rice carbohydrates and complete lamb protein in an easily digestible form. The extended cooking breaks down the proteins and starches, making both highly bioavailable. A 250g serving with lean lamb delivers approximately 30–40g of protein and 45–55g of carbohydrates — a solid base for a muscle-building meal.
Bedouin Food Traditions in Oman
Arsia reflects the practical wisdom of Omani Bedouin cooking — a single large pot on an open fire, simple ingredients, slow cooking, and a result that feeds many people efficiently and nutritiously. In the interior desert regions of Oman (the Hajar Mountains and Al Wusta desert), arsia is still prepared on open fires at tribal gatherings, maintaining a culinary tradition unchanged for centuries.
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FAQs
How many calories are in arsia?
A 200g serving of arsia contains approximately 350–400 calories. Adding a tablespoon of ghee drizzle increases this by about 120 calories.
What is arsia made of?
Arsia is bone-in lamb slow-cooked with white rice, water, cinnamon, cardamom, and dried lime until the rice completely breaks down into a smooth porridge with the lamb. It is finished with ghee and sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon.
How is arsia different from harees?
Both are Omani slow-cooked porridges, but harees uses cracked wheat while arsia uses rice. Arsia has a slightly smoother, more rice-forward texture. Both are served with ghee and associated with Eid and Ramadan.
When is arsia eaten in Oman?
Arsia is a celebration dish — served at Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, tribal gatherings, weddings in rural Oman, and communal feasts. It is less common in restaurants and more associated with home cooking and Bedouin tradition.
Is arsia good for weight loss?
Arsia is moderately calorie-dense. A 200g bowl provides 350–400 calories with good protein content. Skipping the ghee drizzle and pairing with a side salad can make it a balanced, satisfying weight-loss meal.
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard lamb and rice composition. Actual values vary by cut, cooking time, and ghee quantity. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.