So, what comes to mind when you think of Jordan? The lost city of Petra? Scorching weather? Vast expanses of stunning desert vistas in Wadi Rum? Well, add “food” to that little list, as you’re in for a culinary delight when you visit the Hashemite Kingdom!
With a surprisingly huge array of food options in Jordan, you may end up feeling that you just don’t have the time to taste all of the delicious foods served before you or passing you by in the street…so to help you out a little and save some of your precious time, we’ve listed the best must-try foods when in Jordan.
In no particular order…
Falafel
You haven’t tried falafel until you have eaten it in Jordan. Made from ground chickpeas, tahini sauce and a blend of spices, the mixture is quickly molded into small balls and cooked in oil; we guarantee that as the aromas from the frying falafel overtake your senses, those hunger pangs are only going to get worse! Note that you can eat falafel on its own, with hummus (see below) or in a sandwich.
Our personal favorite was falafel squished into a sesame seed bun loaded with tomatoes, cucumber and delicious tahini sauce, which is a popular sesame paste in Jordan. If you like things hot, add some chili powder on it to spice things up…
Where to eat: There are places everywhere selling falafel so it’s almost impossible not to eat some of those golden, delicious balls when in Jordan!
Hummus
Brace yourself for a hummus overload in Jordan, as its more than likely that you will be eating hummus at least once a day here since it’s served in pretty much every restaurant in the country. The age-old argument continues as to its origins, with the neighboring Israelis also staking a claim, but there’s no question that this is a must-try Jordanian food.
And then there’s a variation of the traditional hummus dish – Fattet hummus? This is a Jordanian twist on hummus, and with its crunchy pita bread, chunks of chicken, and a creamy yogurt sauce, is really worth a try!
You’ll often find hummus with its chickpea sister the falafel (see above) – and yes, you can eat hummus with almost everything and at almost any time of the day. If you think you know hummus, you really need to try some when in Jordan!
Mansaf
Mansaf is the national dish of Jordan so it’s absolutely essential you try it whilst you’re here! It is made of chunks of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt called Jameed which is goats yogurt melted down into a creamy sauce.
The lamb is served with rice covering the bottom of the tray and it’s more common to eat Mansaf at lunchtime rather than in the evening.
Be prepared to eat with your hands for this one – the traditional method to eat Mansaf is to roll the rice in your hands with some lamb and some Jameed for extra flavor and to help it all stick together, and then put it in your mouth and enjoy!
Mansaf is also traditionally served on a giant golden tray – this is one meal you’re going to love if you’re keen on trying new foods and flavors!
Maqluba
Maqluba is a casserole dish made of vegetables, meat and rice. But what makes this a super interesting – and must-try – dish is the “twist” at the end of its preparation…once cooked the pan holding the maqluba is literally turned upside down and served on a large plate! As you might have guessed, maqluba is translated as “upside down”.
One yummy part to watch out for with this dish – the crispy, overcooked rice at the bottom of the pan, which once turned upside down is at the top of your serving! This crispy part is delish and packed full of flavor!
Warning: The Jordanians put so much care and effort into making this dish perfect they will attempt to fill your plate several times… pace yourself as it can be seen as offensive in Jordanian culture to refuse food.
Kanafeh
If you’re a cheese lover then this one is definitely for you! Kanafeh is a traditional Arabic dessert that’s heated in oil and then soft white cheese is placed into the middle. To stop it being a savory dish they add an original twist of sugar and rose water syrup to give it the sweet taste and serve it with fried noodles with honey, and a sprinkling of pistachio nuts… exquisite!
Other alternatives are to have it in a crepe or a sesame seed bun. We don’t have a preference so would suggest you to try them all – you won’t be disappointed! Seriously, how can you go wrong with sweet cheese!
You can find Kanafeh at one of the many dessert shops across Jordan.
************************************
We’ve added five of the best foods we love in Jordan – but there are so many traditional and delicious Jordanian foods that it would be impossible to put them all in one list! What was the best food that you tried in Jordan?