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Jordanian cuisine is a delight for food enthusiasts with its rich flavors and unique blend of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. Amman, the capital city, is a food lover’s paradise, offering a vibrant food scene that showcases a plethora of local delicacies and street food. Beyond Amman, Jordan’s culinary traditions continue to impress with dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. In this article, we will take you on a culinary journey through Jordan, exploring the vibrant food scene in Amman, introducing you to must-try street food options, and indulging in authentic Jordanian cuisine.
Exploring the Vibrant Food Scene in Amman
Amman is a bustling city with an array of restaurants, cafes, and street vendors that cater to every palate. To truly experience the city’s food scene, start your day with a traditional Jordanian breakfast. Head to one of the many local bakeries and savor a plate of "mana’eesh," a freshly baked flatbread topped with a variety of options like cheese, za’atar (a blend of herbs and spices), or minced meat.
For lunch, venture into one of Amman’s vibrant markets, such as the famous Al-Balad Market. Here, you can sample local street food favorites like "shawarma" or "falafel." Shawarma is a delicious combination of marinated meat (usually chicken or lamb) roasted on a vertical spit and served in a warm pita bread with tahini sauce and vegetables. Falafel, on the other hand, is a deep-fried fritter made from ground chickpeas or fava beans and is often enjoyed with hummus and pickled vegetables.
To truly immerse yourself in the flavors of Amman, don’t miss out on "mansaf," the national dish of Jordan. This hearty and aromatic dish consists of tender lamb cooked in a fermented dried yogurt sauce, served on a bed of rice and garnished with almonds and pine nuts. It is traditionally eaten with the right hand, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
Beyond Falafel: Must-Try Jordanian Street Food
While falafel is an iconic Middle Eastern street food, Jordan offers a variety of unique street food options that are worth exploring. One such dish is "mujadara," a simple yet flavorful combination of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. It is often served with a dollop of tangy yogurt, creating a satisfying balance of flavors.
Another street food favorite is "arayes," which are grilled pita bread stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, onions, and spices. The bread is crispy on the outside, while the filling remains juicy and packed with flavor. It is best enjoyed with a side of fresh salad and a squeeze of lemon.
If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to try "knafeh." This mouthwatering dessert consists of a layer of gooey cheese topped with a layer of shredded phyllo pastry, soaked in sweet syrup and sprinkled with pistachios. The combination of textures and flavors is simply divine and a true indulgence for your taste buds.
Indulging in Authentic Jordanian Cuisine: Local Delicacies
When it comes to authentic Jordanian cuisine, there are a few dishes that you simply cannot miss. "Makloubeh" is one such dish that will leave you wanting more. It is a fragrant one-pot rice dish layered with meat, vegetables, and spices. The dish is slowly cooked, allowing the flavors to meld together, resulting in a comforting and satisfying meal.
Another must-try delicacy is "zarb," a Bedouin-style barbecue that is cooked underground. Meat, usually lamb or chicken, is marinated with aromatic spices and then placed in a pit along with vegetables and rice. The pit is covered with sand and left to cook slowly, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that is infused with the smoky aroma of the fire.
No Jordanian culinary experience would be complete without a cup of "sahlab." This warm and creamy drink is made from ground orchid tubers, milk, and flavored with rosewater and crushed pistachios. It is a popular winter treat and is often enjoyed with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
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Traditional Jordanian baker We eat ours stuffed with soft cheese slow baked eggs topped with zaatar a Middle Eastern herb and spice mix that often includes dried thyme oregano sesame seeds salt and sumac and harissa chilli sauce Plus a salted goats yogurt drink which is cold savoury a little goaty and better than it sounds1 Falafel When I was traveling in Egypt a few years ago some Egyptian friends of mine mentioned that some of the best falafel in the Middle East was in Jordan And I had no reason not to believe them but had no idea when I would ever have the chance to eat Jordanian falafel for myself10 Traditional Jordanian Dishes You Need to Try Maqluba Guillaume Petermann Ginin Dunia Rifai 16 December 2019 Jordan is famous for its spectacular food filled with Levantine flavors There
is no real count for the most delicious traditional dishes that the Jordanians pride themselves withMay 23 2022 Abi King You are here Home gt Destinations gt Middle East gt Jordan gt Traditional Jordanian Food Recipes The 21 Dishes You Need to Know Traditional Jordanian food is built to share making mealtimes a wonderfully social experience full of flavour and stories for starlightWhats next is up to you diced tomatoes raw onion a dressing of garlic lemon and chilli olive oil andor extra chilli Fuul medames is served alongside either warm pita bread or falafel Try mansaf Jordan39s national dish of lamb cooked in sheep39s milk and wrapped in bread at Tawaheen Alhawa Sylvain Grandadam Getty ImagesInstructions Rinse meat cubes and set in a container with a lid Cover meat with water and
place it in the refrigerator for 48 hours When ready to cook heat a skillet to mediumhighGreen Almonds in Jordan 16 Mansaf Up until now everything I have mentioned is Middle Eastern food that can be found all over the region not something uniquely Jordanian Heres one dish that is truly Jordanian Mansaf the national dish of Jordan which I had at Al Qantarah Restaurant in PetraSharing tea This custom is an important part of Jordanian culture from bustling Amman cafes to Bedouin tents in Petra and Wadi Rum Bedouin pots of tea are often brewed with sage then
Exploring the vibrant food scene in Amman and beyond is a journey that will take you through a myriad of flavors and textures. From street food delights to authentic Jordanian delicacies, every bite tells a story of the country’s rich culinary heritage. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or someone looking to embark on a culinary adventure, Jordan offers a fantastic array of dishes that are sure to leave you craving for more. So, pack your appetite and get ready to savor the wonders of Jordanian cuisine.