Jordan's street food scene is vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted in the country’s rich culinary heritage. Throughout the streets of Amman, Aqaba, and smaller towns, you’ll find an array of delicious, affordable dishes that offer a genuine taste of Jordanian culture. Here are some of the most popular street foods you must try in Jordan:
*Click on each title to expand and explore the full details. Click again to collapse the section. This interactive feature makes it easy to navigate through each Popular Street Foods in Jordan and discover the delicious world of Jordanian cuisine.
Description:
Thinly sliced, marinated meat — typically lamb, chicken, or beef — slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
Serving Style:
The meat is wrapped in pita or flatbread and generously garnished with tahini or garlic sauce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. Shawarma is one of the most beloved grab-and-go meals in Jordan.
Description:
Crispy, deep-fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with fresh herbs and spices.
Serving Style:
Often served inside pita bread or flatbread alongside tahini sauce, fresh vegetables, and assorted pickles. Jordanian falafel is known for its light, flavorful texture.
Description:
A decadent dessert made from shredded phyllo dough or semolina, layered with a soft cheese or clotted cream filling, soaked in sweet sugar syrup, and topped with crushed pistachios.
Varieties:
Knafeh Nabulsiyeh (filled with cheese)
Knafeh Bi Ashta (filled with sweet cream)
Especially popular in the evenings, knafeh is a must-try treat for those with a sweet tooth.
Description:
A portable version of Jordan’s national dish. Tender lamb is cooked in a rich sauce made from fermented dried yogurt (jameed) and served over rice.
Street Style:
For convenience, vendors offer smaller, easier-to-eat portions of mansaf, making it accessible for quick meals during festivals and special events.
Description:
A traditional flatbread topped with ingredients such as za'atar (a blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame), cheese, or minced meat.
Experience:
Commonly enjoyed for breakfast or as a light snack, manakish is freshly baked at local bakeries and sold at street stalls.
Description:
An ultra-thin flatbread cooked on a large, dome-shaped metal griddle called a saj.
Fillings:
Typically rolled and filled with za'atar, white cheese, or minced meat, saj bread offers a light yet flavorful meal on the go.
Description:
A ring-shaped bread coated with sesame seeds, slightly crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Street Style:
Often sold from mobile carts, ka'ak is commonly paired with hard-boiled eggs, falafel, or cheese for a simple yet satisfying street meal.
Description:
Smooth, creamy dips made from either roasted eggplant (mutabbal) or blended chickpeas (hummus), combined with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice.
Street Style:
Typically served with warm, freshly baked bread, or included as part of a mezze platter at local markets and casual street-side eateries.
Description:
A traditional Bedouin dish where marinated meats and vegetables are slow-cooked underground in a sand-covered pit oven.
Street Experience:
Though traditionally a feast dish, Zarb can sometimes be found at food festivals and special street food events, served in smaller, street-friendly portions.
Description:
A rich dessert made of syrup-soaked bread topped with luscious clotted cream (ashta) and sprinkled with crushed pistachios.
Occasions:
Popular during festivals and special gatherings, Aish El Saraya is a delightful way to end a street food tour.
These beloved street foods not only offer a delicious experience but also provide a window into Jordan’s culture, hospitality, and traditions. Sampling street food in Jordan is more than just a meal — it’s a journey through flavors, history, and community.
