A Foodie's Guide to Jordan

There are thousands of reasons why people visit Jordan -- exploration and food are always first on the list. Some are more concerned about the beautiful scenery and unique locations. However, if you love food, you would need a guide to help you explore and enjoy the different meals Jordan has to offer. The culture of Jordan is a blend of various influences from the middle east and north Africa among other places. Hence, it suffices to say the foods in Jordan come from many races and communities. This means that there are lots of options for foodies who visit Jordan. So are you looking to explore and taste everything sumptuous and delicious in Jordan? Here's a guide to help you do just that. This guide lists exotic meals you may never have tried before; however, you will surely enjoy every bite.  

Mansaf

Mansaf is a popular dish in Jordan. In fact, it's often called the National dish. Mansaf is not a regular meal that can be prepared with few ingredients. It comprises a number of ingredients and, most notably, an excellent cook to combine it all. A typical Mensaf meal contains rice, lamb, yogurt, pine nuts, and cilantro. Mansaf is no small meal. When it's cooked, there is a feast. Mansaf is cooked in large quantities for many to partake. Due to the number of ingredients, it takes roughly a day to cook Mensaf, regardless of the quantity. Hydrated Yoghurt is used to hold the balls of rice and lamb together to make it easy to eat in morsels. The pine nuts and cilantro serve as toppings. Mansaf is consumed with bare hands. So be prepared to do away with cutleries for this particular meal. Some claim this meal tastes better when eaten with hands than a spoon. As a foodie, immediately you step into Jordan, and ask for Mensaf -- you won't regret it. 

Meglubi

Meglubi is a meal that sounds simple to pronounce but definitely not easy to prepare. It's a mixture of chicken, rice, and vegetables. The combination is healthy and simple, but the preparation is difficult. The chicken is placed at the bottom of a pot, and the rice and vegetables are placed on it. When the meal is cooked, the pot is flipped. Hence, the chicken stays on top, and rice mixed with vegetables is beneath it. The flipping of the pot is the meaning of Meglubi -- “upside-down." Meglubi is an enjoyable meal that has a story to it. According to the locals, it's believed that anyone who eats Meglubi should not board a plane or boat immediately. Else, the plane or boat could flip while in transit. This is widely believed to be just a superstition as many eat this meal at any time of the day. Regardless, you may not eat Meglubi on a day to intend to fly back home if you believe such. That aside, Meglubi is delicious and has ingredients known in many parts of the world. 
 

Lokma 

Lokma is translated as "bite." It's a snack enjoyed across Jordan. It's a big-sized snack that allows you to get a mouthful anytime you take a bite. It's a dough mixed with syrup to make what may be regarded as a Jordan doughnut. After it's fried, you will enjoy its crunchy texture and rich taste. Alternatively, you can enjoy it when it cools down. In its cool state, Lokma tastes quite different. The syrup used to make the dough would have been absorbed, making the Lokma taste quite different yet delicious. Anyhow, if you choose to consume it, this Jordan doughnut is super tasty and worth every bite. Foodies should note that this is a snack best eaten at brunch or while on the road. Lokma can also pass breakfast as it is light and fluffy. 

Shwarma 

As a foodie, you'd have definitely tried shawarma at one point or another in your binge eating moments or on vacations across different places. Forget any Shawarma you've had, as the type made in Jordan is super tasty and rich. And if by chance, you don't know what Shwarma tastes like, then this is a perfect opportunity for you to have a bite of one of the foods with the most ingredients. It's a snack with dough at its outer layer, then inside is a mixture of beef/ chicken, garlic, vegetables of any kind, sauce, and other special recipes of the Jordanians. All are fitted into the dough and heated. Since it contains flour, Jordanians like to refer to it as a snack, although the constituents of this meal are sufficient to stand alone and make a dish of another kind. However, regardless of how rich and solid Shawarma is, it remains a street meal in Jordan. So if you're Jordan on a sunny afternoon, Sharwama will make a perfect lunch. And one major advantage is that you can enjoy it while in transit. You don't need a special table setting or a group of people to enjoy it. 

Hummus 

Hummus is a popular meal enjoyed in Jordan and beyond. Hummus is a meal eaten by many people in the middle east. As much as it tastes nice in other regions, travelers have rated Hummus in Jordan as one of the best. The key ingredient includes beans, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice, among others. Hummus is available in almost all restaurants in Jordan. Despite its popularity, the meticulous attention to detail when preparing this meal makes it difficult to get tired of it. As a foodie, you shouldn't just taste the regular Hummus alone. The Fattet Hummus is also a variation to taste. This version of Hummus has a combination of bread, broth, lemon juice, and more. It tastes slightly different as it has a fluffy texture and creamy taste. It tastes whipped and not thick as the usual types. If you'd love to enjoy Hummus, visit the restaurants in Amman to get the best. 

Warak Dawali 

Warak Dawali is made of many ingredients. In the local language, Warak Dawali means grape leaves. This meal is similar to Mensaf but has fewer ingredients. It contains rice and ground meat principally, then served with lamb and sometimes eggplant. Warak Dawali is also cooked in large quantities and takes hours to prepare. Each serving of Warak Dawali is wrapped in grape leaves and tightly rolled to keep the content intact. It takes a seasoned cook to roll the food into leaves tightly. In many local communities, it's believed that the tighter the meals are placed in the leaves, the more experienced and better the cook. After cooking, it's served with lamb and eggplants. These additions are added to make it more interesting to eat. This dish is one of the key foods to eat when you arrive in Jordan. 
 

Ful Medames

Ful Medames is a common meal in many middle east countries. This meal is a wonderful Street meal to eat when you're in Jordan. Its principal ingredients are fava beans and olive oil. When it's served, you can have it filled with chilly powder and cumin. It's a good option for breakfast alongside vegetable salad and Hummus. In many places in Amman, you can only find this meal in the morning for some time. Its regarded as a breakfast meal that can be taken alone or with other light foods. 
 

Moutabel

Moutabel is made with eggplant. In Jordan, eggplant is a common food ingredient used in many ways. To make Moutabel, eggplant is roasted. The preparation is similar to other roasted eggplant meals made in neighboring countries. Often roasted, eggplant meals are served plain, but Moutabel has additional ingredients that give it a special taste. In Jordan, Moutabel tastes premium and highly delicious. First, the eggplant is roasted to provide a smokey and creamy taste. Then yogurt and garlic, alongside lemon juice, are combined to add taste to the meal. As a foodie, this is a perfect dessert to enjoy after a light lunch. This meal is available in many restaurants in Jordan.

Labneh

 Labneh is an ideal breakfast for Jordanians. Labneh is made with Yogurt. It's a thick and rich yogurt served with herbs. The yogurt is the main ingredient which is often served in a bowl. Then herbs give it a flavor that makes it more appealing. Sometimes the taste of the Labneh can change slightly. Some restaurants serve it a bit sour and add herbs and olive oil to give it a unique flavor. This sort of Labneh is often best for people who prefer slightly sour liquid to sweet types. 

Jordan has tons of options to choose from when it comes to food. Manakish, which is called the Arabic pizza, the Kaek bread sandwich, and Mujadara, which is made with rice and lentils, are ideal meals also to try when in Jordan. As a foodie, use this guide to help yourself explore and plan an exciting adventure as you tour the beautiful and fantastic expanse of Jordan.