Let's Drool Over Some Jordanian Food

Experiencing the food in Jordan was a highlight of our trip. While similar to the typical Middle Eastern cuisine found in neighbouring Lebanon, Syria and Palestine, this was our first time trying most of the foods on offer. The sheer range and variety of dishes available is staggering, each one as good as the last. Every foodie should head to Jordan for a culinary adventure.

Salads and Appetizers

One aspect of a Jordanian meal that we weren't prepared for is the sheer quantity of food. They have something like 13 different salads they can serve, including tasty dips like hummus, baba ghanoush and foul maddamis. Fried pastry bites, labaneh (a yoghurt cheese) and khubz (pita bread) often complete the first course.

Fattoush quickly became our favourite salad.

Kibbeh are fried minced meat croquettes.

Tabbouleh with Fattoush along with bread and other starters

Pita bread slices with sesame paste and a warm creamy topping.

Main dishes

As our guide explained it, the stocking of a typical Jordanian kitchen is a serious affair. It would contain stockpiles of different kinds of wheat, a year's worth of two kinds of oils (olive oil and another for frying), a spice closet, dry yoghurt for marinating, three kinds of rice, a fryer and both a regular and electric grinder, among many other foods and equipment. Each dish has its own different spice set. No wonder they are all so tasty and unique!

Meat is a staple of Jordanian cuisine.

Fresh seafood is also commonly found, especially in the coastal areas.

Mansaf, which is Jordan's national dish is made up of lamb in a yoghurt sauce, served with rice or grains. Maglouba, a type of chicken casserole is also very popular. We tried many different dishes at a few buffets and all were delicious, though I didn't get photos of them all.

I drank heaps of these refreshing lime-mint beverages.

Desserts

It was always difficult to find room for dessert, but when we did even these were special and amazing. It's common to be brought a basket of fresh fruit with the dessert.

This was a delicious orange gelatin-style dessert with rose essence.

Typical sweets, including chocolate-covered dates and pistachio nests

We thought kunefeh was only found in Turkey but were delighted to find two different kinds in Jordan, one softer and one crunchier.

What's your favourite Middle Eastern dish?

Our visit to Jordan was sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board. Many thanks for all the wonderful meals we experienced.