Top 7 Must Eats in Jordan

1. Falafel

A popular street food, falafels are cheap and delicious. They are made from a mixture of chickpeas or fava beans, fresh herbs, and a variety of spices that are deep fried. The falafel is topped with a nutty tahini sauce and sometimes with vegetables such as tomatoes and onion. I got mine in sandwich form on a toasted sesame bun from the best shop in Amman known as Falafel Al Quds on Rainbow Street.

2. Hummus

This can be eaten at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even multiple meals in a day. Dip fresh, hot pita bread in it or crispy cucumbers. Hummus is made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon, and a variety of other spices. Super creamy and addicting.

3. Shawarma

Thinly sliced beef, lamb, chicken, or mutton, this dish is roasted on a rotisserie. Typically served on a flatbread. It can be served with shawarma sauce, pickles, and variety of other vegetables. Shawarma sauce consists of garlic, greek yogurt, tahini, and lemon. This dish is irresistible and filling.

4. Knafeh

So sweet and delicious. If there is only one food you could eat off of this list, choose this! It is a dessert made with a thin pastry that is soaked in syrup and has cheese in it. It is usually topped with pistachios. The top is crispy while the inside is melted gooey cheese. The syrup adds a bit of sweet to it and the nuts add a sharp crunch.

5. Zarb

A traditional Bedouin dish, this is made under ground by digging a hole and filling it with hot coals. Then covering up the dish with extra insulation and putting sand over top of it until it is done. This is usually lamb or chicken along with rice and vegetables. The meat is so tender and has a smoky flavor to it that is incredible.

6. Bedouin Tea/ Arabic Coffee

Technically not food, but these are two drinks you must try. The Bedouins are known for their hospitality and one way that they show this is through their tea culture. The tea usually has lots of sugar.

Arabic coffee is grinded up with cardamon seeds. It is a bitter coffee, but the taste is very rich.

7. Mansaf

This is the national dish of Jordan. It’s made out of rice, lamb, and jameed. Jameed is fermented goats milk yogurt that is heated up and poured over the dish.

If this list has encouraged you to book a ticket to this beautiful country, here is my guide on what to do once you are there!

What to do in Jordan: A Guide for 1st Timers – Venture with a Ginger