The most popular Jordan dishes, “Mansaf” is Jordan’s national dish, traditionally served on a large plate for communal consumption. “Mansaf” is tender meat layered with thin bread and a large pile of rice. The meal is garnished with toasted nuts, followed by more flatbreads and bowls of “Jameed” Rich yogurt sauce.
In addition to Mansaf, there is a dish called “Maqluba”. The word “Maqluba” means “upside down” After a long slow simmering, this rice chicken potato and vegetable dish is poured on a big round plate.
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First, Jordan is known for its spectacular food full of Levantine flavors. Then there are no real quantities of the most delicious traditional dishes that Jordanians are proud of. Some of these are Jordan’s favorite dishes, but you can’t leave Jordan without trying them.
Traditional Jordanian Dishes
- Mansaf: Jordan’s national dish and their most distinctive food. Mansaf is a traditional dish made from lamb, cooked in a fermented dry yogurt sauce called “Jameed” and served with rice or bulgur.
- Mulukhiyah (or Molokhia): It is a dish made from the leaves of Corchorus clitoris, cooked with either chicken or meat. It is used as a vegetable and is mainly eaten in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.
- Warak Enab: (Grapes Leaves stuffed with rice mixed with minced meat and some spices).
- Maqluba: Made with layers of rice vegetables and meat. When cooked, the pot is served upside down on the plate, hence the name maqluba, which literally means upside down.
- Mujadara: It’s a beautiful dish layered with lentils and rice at the bottom, followed by caramelized onions (the more, the better), and hopefully a couple of creamy or spicy sauces on the side. It’s served across the Middle East in various forms.
- Musakhan: Musakhan is traditionally served during the olive harvest to celebrate the olive oil pressing season, but it is definitely served year-round for family gatherings and more. It is made of sumac, chicken with caramelized onion, flatbread, and pine nuts.
- Shorabet Adas: Lentil soup may include vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, parsley, tomato, pumpkin, and onion. Common flavorings are garlic, bay leaf, cumin, olive oil, and vinegar. It is sometimes garnished with croutons or chopped herbs or butter, olive oil, cream or yogurt.
- Makmoura: Makmoura is one of the famous and popular Jordanian dishes, which is often served in occasions and festivals, because it adds a beautiful look to the table. Although it needs some time and effort, but its taste is worth it. It consists of layers of dough, roasted chicken, onions, olive oil and spices.
- Rashouf: A winter meal consisting of semolina lentils and yogurt, popular in northern Jordan.