Jordanian Food

Arabic Coffee Traditions - Wadi Rum, Jordan

Arabic coffee is a mixture of ground cardamom and coffee together (which is why it looks light here). It is poured into small cups and has a specific tradition and process of when to drink and how much to drink and how to hold the cup. Taken in a Bedouin tent in Wadi Rum, Jordan.

Eating Family Style in Azraq, Jordan

A large spread of mezze and other Druze food specialties served at a family home in Azraq, Jordan.

Full Tray of Mansaf - Dana, Jordan

A large tray of mansaf, a traditional Jordanian dish made from goat cooked in a yogurt/sour milk sauce, is ready for eating at Dana Guest House in Jordan.

Colorful Falafel Platter - Jerash, Jordan

A tray of balls of falafel with pickled vegetables, tomatoes and tahini. The falafel in Jordan was light and crispy.

Shawarma Master of Madaba, Jordan

Stopping for lunch at a roadside place with awesome chicken shawarma sandwiches on the outskirts of Madaba in Jordan.

What is Lunch in Jordan Without Hummus?

A typical mezze dish served at all meals of hummus. Made from blended chickpeas, tahini, oil, and lemon juice.

Aubergine-Garlic Dip (Moutabel) - Jerash, Jordan

A typical mezze dish of moutabel is made from crushed roasted aubergine (eggplant) mixed with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice. Really delicous.

Fully Baked Bedouin Bread (Abud) - Wadi Rum, Jordan

Wiping the ashes away from the Beduoin Bread (abud). After the hot ashes bake the bread, they need to be shaken off so you can eat it. Quite good, actually. Wadi Rum, Jordan.

Mint Tea on the Street - Amman, Jordan

We get some mint tea near Hussein Mosque in downtown Amman to warm up from the winter weather in Jordan.

Evening Sweets at the Four Seasons in Amman, Jordan

Jordan keeps trying to make sure we leave the country heavier than when we arrived - this tray is only for two people! From left to right: Baklawa, Asabea, Mabrumeh, Asabea with Cashew, Ush Bulbul, Asabea, Burma.

Falafel Making Machine - Amman, Jordan

This man was a falafel making machine, as if he worked permanantly on fast forward. Taken at a famous falafel and local restaurant in Amman, Jordan.

Lunch at Hashem - Amman, Jordan

Varieties of hummus and foul (crushed beans) for lunch at Hashem Restaurant, one of Amman's famous eating joints.

Large Trays of Knafeh at Habiba - Jordan

Knafeh is a Jordanian sweet made from a white cheese base with semolina bits baked on top and covered in sweet syrup. Very, very decadent. Taken at Habiba, a popular place in downtown Amman, Jordan.

A Large Foul (crushed beans) Display - Amman, Jordan

Foul is crushed beans cooked for a long time and served with a variety of condiments, spices and herbs. Here, you see sumak, cumin, fresh parsley, chili sauce, lemon juice, olive oil and there is probably more. This is a typical Jordanian dish.

Hearty Dose of Foul (crushed beans) - Amman, Jordan

Foul is crushed beans cooked for a long time and served with a variety of condiments, spices and herbs. Here, you see sumak, cumin, fresh parsley, chili sauce, lemon juice, olive oil and there is probably more. This is a typical Jordanian dish.

Olives, Beans, Salads -- Streets of Amman, Jordan

Makings for a mezze, Jordanian-style.

Friendly Tea Vendor at the Market in Downtown Amman, Jordan

A young guy delivers sweet mint tea back and forth to vendors working at the food market behind Hussein Mosque in downtown Amman, Jordan.

Piles of Zatar (Thyme mixture) at Market in Downtown Amman, Jordan

One of the common items on the breakfast table in Jordan is zatar, a mixture of dried thyme and sesame seeds. Here, you see it sold at the market behind Hussein Mosque in downtown Amman, Jordan.

Typical Mezze at Lunch (First Course) - Jerash, Jordan

What we think of as a full meal, the Jordanians think of as starters. Here, you see the mezze (first course) of a typical lunch in Jerash, Jordan.

Grinding the Cardamom for Arabic Coffee - Wadi Rum, Jordan

Shaban grinds cardamom seeds into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle. This is an important ingredient for Arabic coffee. Wadi Rum, Jordan.