Jordanian Cuisine

Welcome to Jordan, where every meal tells a story of tradition, flavor, and warm hospitality.

As someone who has called this country home for 35 years, I've had the pleasure of exploring its diverse culinary landscape, sampling everything from hearty meat dishes to tantalizing vegetarian fare.

Join me as I take you on a gastronomic journey through the heart of Jordan.

MANSAF:

A taste of tradition:

Experience Jordan's national dish, mansaf: tender lamb simmered in creamy yogurt and spices, served on fluffy rice with toasted nuts and fresh parsley.

Hint:

For authentic and affordable mansaf, visit Al-Quds Restaurant in old Amman, with meals priced between 5 to 10 JOD.

SHAWERMA:

Street Food Bliss:

No visit to Jordan is complete without indulging in Shawerma, our favourite street food meal.

Shawerma is served in two forms, as meals (shawerma arabi) or sandwiches.

Enjoy succulent slices of marinated beef or chicken wrapped in warm local bread with crisp vegetables and creamy tahini or garlic mayo dip.

Recommend:

Head to "Reem" or "Karam" restaurants for the best shawerma in town, with a sandwich costing only 0.75 to 1.00 JOD.

Fun Fact:

Friends often meet over shawerma dinners on the streets, catching up on life.

it's a tradition to get shawerma and watch football matches together at a friend's house.

Shawerma isn't just about the food; it brings people closer together.
So, when you bite into a tasty shawerma sandwich in Jordan, remember you're enjoying a tradition of togetherness and friendship.

A Bedouin Feast:

In Wadi Rum, the desert comes alive with the aroma of zarb – a feast cooked beneath the sands.

Whether you're a meat lover or a vegetarian, zarb offers something for everyone, with layers of chicken, vegetables, and rice slow-cooked to perfection.

It's an experience not to be missed during your Jordanian adventure.

Zarb:

Fahsa:

Yamani Cuisine:

Fortunately, the delicious Yemeni cuisine exists in Jordan, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and aromas.

Kabsah, mandi, madhbi, and fahsa—these are just a few of the tasty dishes you can savor here.

And don't forget to indulge in a cup of Adani tea after your meal for the perfect conclusion to your visit to this delightful restaurants.

Recommended:

For the best experience, we recommend heading to "Bab Al Yaman" restaurant.

Prices there are very affordable without compromising the taste and quality of the food.

The bread, known as mlawah, is freshly prepared in the restaurant itself, adding to the authenticity of the dining experience.

HUMMUS AND FALAFEL:

Locals Favorites:

Whether you're vegetarian or not, falafel stands as a beloved favorite among locals.

Whether enjoyed in a sandwich or as part of a hearty platter with hummus, fool, and fatteh, falafel offers a delightful symphony of flavors that celebrate our culinary heritage.

Recommended:

Head to Hamada, or Abu Jbara for a taste of original Hummus and Falafel in Amman.

And in Aqaba, you can go to Al-muhandes restaurant.

KEBAB:

Jordan's BBQ style:

The traditional method of making Jordanian kebab over an open fire imparts a unique smoky flavor that is truly special.

Made from minced lamb, mixed with chopped parsley and onions, and seasoned with aromatic spices, the kebab is grilled for just a few minutes until it becomes tender and juicy.

It is traditionally served with warm flatbread, fresh vegetables, and a side of tahini or garlic sauce, along with appetizers like muttabal, hummus, and salads.

This is a culinary delight you definitely don't want to miss during your visit to Jordan.

Recommended:

Our favourite BBQ restaurants in Amman for kebab are Zaheda restaurant in west Amman, and Shahrazad restaurant in old downtown.

1. Main Dishes:

Overview:

OTHER LOCAL DISHES WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND:

Makloobeh:

which means "upside down," gets its famous name from the way it’s transferred from the pot to the serving tray.

We think you get the idea!

This dish will make you leave jordan with some extra weight!

Bamyeh:

This dish features okra cooked in tomato sauce.

Traditionally, it used to be cooked without beef and enjoyed with flatbread instead of rice!

Mlookheyeh:

Nope! It’s not spinach! While it may look similar, it has a completely different taste.

It’s slimy, and locals love to squeeze lemon into the soup and enjoy it with a side of sweet pepper!

Koosa Mahshi:

This one is a must! It's zucchini and eggplant stuffed with rice and minced fatty meat, all cooked in a savory tomato sauce.

Let's see how many pieces you can eat!

Fasolyah Khadra:

Green beans with meat pieces, when cooked just right, make an irresistible dish.

It's especially delightful when enjoyed with local pickled olives and sweet green paprika!

Jordanians consume a lot of bread, therefore bakeries are an integral part of its vibrant food scene, offering a delightful array of fresh breads, pastries, and sweets.

From traditional Arabic flatbreads like pita and khubez (bread in arabic) to delectable pastries filled with dates, or pastries filled with potatoes, spinach, meat, cheese, and many other vegetables, these bakeries cater to every taste.

You'll find them every where in any city, whether you're seeking a simple and fast breakfast of warm bread and za'atar (thyme in arabic) or craving a sweet treat or flavoured bread sticks, a visit to a Jordanian bakery is a must for any visitor.

JORDANIAN BAKERY:

Fun Fact:

After my wife's first 6 months in Jordan, she gained 15 kilograms just from eating the delicious Jordanian dishes non-stop!

So better be careful my friends, OR MAYBE NOT!!

2. Sweets And Delights:

Having dinner in Jordan is never complete without enjoying some sweets afterward.

Let's discover what Jordan has to offer, whether it's a big piece of dessert or just a cup of tea.

Knafeh is Jordan's favorite dessert, made from shredded semolina dough layered with sweet cheese.

Baked, soaked in syrup, and garnished with pistachios.

This delicious treat is an essential element at every Jordanian wedding and celebration.

Knafeh:

Our Advice:

For the best knafeh experience, visit Habibah Sweets in the heart of old downtown.

Enjoy a delicious plate right in the middle of the bustling streets for an unforgettable treat.

Baklawa in Jordan is a popular dessert made of layers of flaky pastry filled with nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup.

Often garnished with pistachios, this beloved treat is frequently bought as a gift for family and friends.

Baklava:

Fun Fact:

Every time we visit my wife's family in Poland, we bring them boxes of baklava. The funny thing is, they finish it within a couple of days!

It's a popular Jordanian pastry known for its delicate, crumbly texture.

These small, round cookies are traditionally filled with various fillings such as dates, nuts like pistachios or walnuts.

Maamool:

My mom's baked ma'mool for the celebration day after Ramadan fasting month.

I remember my mother from my childhood, gathering with her neighbors for two days, preparing ma'amool filled with various ingredients in anticipation of the celebration days following Ramadan the fasting month.

Jordanian tea is a cherished tradition, known for its strong, aromatic flavor and hospitality it symbolizes.

Often brewed with fresh mint leaves and served sweetened.

Have you tried Bedouin tea?
we think you should!

Tea:

In Jordan, local coffee and tea shops on main streets offer a quick drive-through service.

You order, they prepare your drink swiftly, sometimes including a small cup of water for free, perfect for summer.

Turkish coffee costs just 0.75 Jordanian dinar.

Nuts:

Jordan is known for its diverse and delicious varieties of nuts, dates, and seeds.

You'll find entire shops dedicated to these tasty treats, offering an endless array of flavors.

From Mexican and BBQ to sweet and spicy, there’s something to delight every palate, and even the seeds come in these exciting flavors!

Dates on the other side, are available with many types, soft or hard, sweet or mild, big or small.

In Jordan we always say:
YOU CAN TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

For our daily shopping or whenever we visit family in Poland, we always choose Al-Shaeb Roastery Shop.

Their products are incredibly tasty, the prices are very competitive, and they even offer travel-friendly packaging upon request.