Popular Street Foods in Jordan

Jordan's street food scene is vibrant and diverse, offering a variety of delicious and affordable options that reflect the country's rich culinary heritage. Here are some of the most popular street foods in Jordan:

1. Shawarma:

   • Description: Thinly sliced marinated meat (usually lamb, chicken, or beef) cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in a wrap or pita bread.
   • Accompaniments: Typically garnished with tahini or garlic sauce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions.

2. Falafel:

   • Description: Deep-fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with herbs and spices.
   • Serving Style: Often served in pita bread or flatbread with tahini sauce, fresh vegetables, and pickles.

3. Knafeh:

   • Description: A sweet dessert made with layers of shredded phyllo dough or semolina dough, filled with soft cheese or cream, soaked in sweet syrup, and topped with crushed pistachios.
   • Varieties: Includes knafeh nabulsiyeh (with cheese) and knafeh bi ashta (with a cream filling).

4. Mansaf on the Go:

   • Description: A portable version of Jordan’s national dish, mansaf, featuring lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt (jameed) and served with rice.
   • Street Style: Often available at food stalls in smaller, more manageable portions for a quick meal.

5. Manakish:

   • Description: A type of flatbread topped with various ingredients such as za'atar (thyme), cheese, or minced meat.
   • Experience: It’s a popular breakfast item and can be found at bakeries and street vendors.

6. Saj Bread:

   • Description: Thin, flat bread cooked on a convex metal griddle called a saj.
   • Fillings: Often filled with cheese, za'atar, or meat and rolled up for easy eating.

7. Ka'ak:

   • Description: A type of sesame-seed-topped bread, often shaped like a ring.
   • Street Style: Typically sold from carts and served with hard-boiled eggs or falafel.

8. Mutabbal and Hummus:

   • Description: Creamy dips made from blended eggplant (mutabbal) or chickpeas (hummus) with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice.
   • Street Style: Served with fresh bread or as part of a mezze platter.

9. Zarb:

   • Description: A traditional Bedouin dish of meat and vegetables cooked in an underground pit oven.
   • Street Experience: Sometimes offered at food festivals or special events in a street food style.

10. Aish El Saraya:

    • Description: A sweet bread pudding dessert topped with clotted cream and pistachios.
    • Occasions: Often enjoyed as a street food dessert, particularly during festivals.

These popular street foods provide a delightful and authentic taste of Jordan, allowing visitors to explore the country's culinary traditions in a casual and accessible way.