Set on the edge of the Red Sea and a cultural land, the Kingdom of Jordan houses some of the finest eateries around the world and the Jordanian Cuisine is a perfect medium to experience the country's diverse heritage. With a vibrant mix of local flavors and Bedouin favorites, the food in Jordan will surprise you.
So, are you ready to enrich your taste buds with a mix of delicious delicacies? Well, Jordan awaits you. Besides, here are some of the best delicacies to try on a holiday in Jordan.
Top Jordan Foods To Try On A Holiday
Jordan is a country that doesn't just offer its amazing desert experience but is also widely famous for its mouthwatering food. Here are the top delicacies one needs to know about.
1. Mansaf
A dish that is meant for communal eating, Mansaf is widely popular amongst the locals in Jordan and is served on a large platter. Garnished with toasted nuts and eaten with flatbread, the dish is made from tender meat that is layered with paper-thin flatbread and aromatic rice.
It is, in fact, one of the major reasons why Jordan features amongst the best food destinations in the world today. Interestingly, Mansaf is the national dish of Jordan and comes straight from the Bedouin kitchen. Besides, if one truly wishes to taste the true flavor of this popular food in Jordan, then it is best prepared with lamb or camel.
Where To Taste - Al-Quds Restaurant in Amman
2. Maqluba
Maqluba, a traditional Jordanian dish is all known for its savoring zest and flavourful aroma. Prepared with the relishing taste of rice, meat, and fried vegetables, it is one of the best dishes you can try in Jordan.
Maqluba is basically a mixture of every delighting vegetable and fresh meat that is cooked in a simmer flame for a long time. As a result, a rice cake is made that is stuffed with the hidden pieces of added vegetables and other ingredients added for its unique flavor. More than the recipe, what’s interesting about Maqluba is the presentation.
The history of this best food in Jordan dates back to the 13th century when it was added to the collection of the best recipes in Baghdad. Today it is served in almost every family event and every famous eatery in Jordan.
Where to Taste - Beit Sitti Cooking School
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3. Mulukhiyah
Mulukhiyah or as they call it Molokhia, has been a part of Jordan’s culinary culture for a very long time. The history of Mulukhiyah goes back to Egypt when it was called the food of the kind. Later the Palestinians brought the recipe and it was sooner adopted by Jordanians.
The Jordanian way of cooking Mulukhiyah is quite different from the rest of the nations. The dish is mainly prepared by finely chopping the herbs so that an intact soup is prepared. Well, one might not like this famous food in Jordan just from appearance, but the taste is quite impressive. Try adding more flavor with lemon juice or chili sauce and enjoy the soup with rice and chicken.
Where To Taste - Shu Hal Ayyam
4. Shorabet Adas
If you are a vegetarian and looking for the most delicious plate of authentic food in Jordan, Shorabet Adas is the one thing you must taste. Made with healthy lenticels, this is basically a soup that is served in winters.
Talking about the cooking technique, Shorabet is made by blending or mixing every ingredient you want to add to your bowl. Being hot and spicy, the soup does not just taste good but is perfect to add as a warm cup of a meal during the cold winter nights of Jordan. While Shorabet Adas is made in almost every home, there are many restaurants in Jordan that are serving it to the guest, offering a traditional taste. You can try it with bread or add lemon and other herbs to add more flavor.
Where To Taste - Al Wadi Restaurant, Petra
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5. Shawarma
Who doesn't know about Shawarma, right? One of the most delicious foods to taste, Shawarma is eaten all around the world but not many countries serve it the way Jordan does. In fact, tasting this favorite from Jordanian cuisine is one of the top things to do in Jordan today. As for its preparation, Shawarma consists of sliced lamb, chicken, or beef, toppings that consist of everything, and a blend of spices that can vary. Interestingly, almost all Shawarma joints look similar to each other while the sandwich form of the delicacy is what is highly popular in Jordan. One can find many joints where people stand on the sidewalks and enjoy the delicacy.
Where To Taste - Shawarma Reem
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6. Kunafa
Another fine delicacy made with shredded filo pastry and soaked in sugar syrup, Kunafa is a delicious Middle Eastern dessert that is widely famous in Jordan. This is a dessert that is usually eaten on special occasions and makes for a perfect afternoon sweet. One of the most famous attractions in Jordan, Kunafa is considered to be the best food in Amman as travelers come here to taste the delicacy.
In fact, a perfect way to enjoy kufana is to do so with a cup of thick Turkish coffee that pairs perfectly with Kunafa. So, what's the delay? Come to Jordan and indulge in the sweetness of Kunafa.
Where To Stay - Habibah Sweets
7. Roasted Nuts
Another fine food to taste, a roasted nut is another healthy food in Jordan that needs no introduction. Thousands of travelers come to the country every year just to shop for the best of roasted nuts. Easily one of the best things to taste in Jordan, the nuts can be perfectly paired with juicy dates. In fact, enjoying roasted nuts with dates is an age-old thing in the country considering the fact that the farmers here grow about three-quarters of the world's Medjool dates. So, why not try the delicious taste of roasted nuts when visiting any cafe in Jordan the next time?
Where To Taste - Grand Husseini Mosque
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8. Zaarb
Now here's a thing, over the years, Jordan's Bedouin people who have been staying in the desert region have felt the need to develop cuisines that can be cooked over desert campfires and Zaarb is certainly one of them. As travelers put it themselves, Zaarb is hearty meat that should be enjoyed under the stars. The meat is covered and baked with hot coals for long hours. The interesting thing, in this case, is that Zaarb is covered over by the sand which is a part of the cooking process.
There aren't many places to visit in the Middle East where one can find a cooking technique such as this. As far as Jordan foods go, this is a delicacy that is set to surprise you with its taste.
Where To Taste - Bedouin Directions Camp
There are many things about Jordan that make it a perfect travel destination and the food here is one of the many factors. From the delicious desserts and meat to the delicious Zaarb prepared by the most unique cooking techniques, the food in Jordan is a matter of excitement for the visitors. In fact, one can expect to have the best of time roaming around the streets of the country and tasting the best of delicacies on the way. So, what's the delay? Book your Jordan Plane tickets today and come experience a culinary adventure like no other here.
Food In Jordan - FAQs
A dish that is meant for communal eating, Mansaf is widely popular and the best dish amongst the locals in Jordan. Served on a large platter, garnished with toasted nuts, and eaten with flatbread, the dish is made from tender meat that is layered with paper-thin flatbread and aromatic rice.
Yes, Jordan is one of the safest countries to visit in the Middle East today and violent crimes are very rare in the country. However, visitors are advised to practice caution on their visit as pickpockets and other small thefts can still happen if one is not careful enough.
Yes, thousands of travelers come to the country every year just to shop for the best of roasted nuts. Easily one of the best things to taste in Jordan, the nuts can be perfectly paired with juicy dates. In fact, enjoying roasted nuts with dates is an age-old thing in the country.
Maqluba is basically a mixture of every delighting vegetable and fresh meat that is cooked in a simmer flame for a long time. As a result, a rice cake is made that is stuffed with the hidden pieces of added vegetables and other ingredients added for its unique flavor.
Jordan's Bedouin people who have been staying in the desert region have felt the need to develop cuisines that can be cooked over desert campfires and Zaarb is certainly one of them. As travelers put it themselves, Zaarb is the most unique dish of Jordan and hearty meat that should be enjoyed under the stars. The cooking process of the dish includes covering over the meat under the sand.
Jordan is a country that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to a luxury holiday experience. There are many top hotels in the country that are widely popular for their facilities. So, here are the top hotels that one needs to know about.
- Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea
- Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
- Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
- Movenpick Resort And Spa Dead Sea
- Wadi Rum: Saleh's Safari Camp -- for wadirumtours
- Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel
- Bubble Luxotel Wadi Rum
- Le Royal Hotel & Resorts Amman
Yes, one of the most delicious foods to taste, Shawarma is eaten all around the world but not many countries serve it the way Jordan does. In fact, tasting this favorite from Jordanian cuisine is one of the top things to do in Jordan today.
The best time to visit Jordan is from March through June. This is the time when the country experiences the spring season and the temperatures are near perfect for sightseeing.
