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What do people eat in Jordan?

Diet

Islamic law prohibits the consumption of pork and alcohol, and most Muslims are careful to obey these restrictions. Most meals include meat and bread, among with vegetables and fruits that are in season. There are many types of bread. Most common is flat, round bread. A variation of this bread is known in the West as pita. The national dish of Jordan is mansaf, a large tray of rice covered with chunks of stewed lamb (including the head) and jamed (yogurt sauce). It is eaten by hand from the serving tray. Other popular dishes include mahshi (stuffed vegetables), musakhan (chicken with onions, olive oil, pine seeds, and seasonings), and meshwi or shish kebab. Lamb and chicken are the most common meats. Tomatoes, onions, eggplant, cabbage, and other vegetables are also common.

Mealtime

It is traditional to eat food with the right hand (not the left). Utensils are usually available at functions involving international guests. When invited to a home for a meal, it is polite to leave a little food on the plate. This tells the host that the guest has eaten well and that the host has been generous. When Jordanians have guests, the host provides a large assortment of food. Coffee is important at all meals. Bedouin coffee (Qahwah saadah) is bitter and drunk slowly from small cups. Arabic or Turkish coffee is sweeter; it is not stirred so as to keep the thick grains at the bottom of the cup.

A Jordanian family would eat three meals a day "fotoor" (breakfast) "ghada" (dinner) and "asha" (lunch). Most people eat "fotoor" before going to school or work about 7 AM, "ghada" afer returning from school or work about 3 PM. and "asha" at about 8 PM.


Islamic law prohibits the consumption of alcohol and pork, and most Muslims are careful to obey these restrictions. Most meals include meat and bread, among with vegetables and fruits that are in season. There are many types of bread. Most common is flat, round bread. A variation of this bread is known in the West as pita. Tomatoes, onions, eggplant, cabbage, and other vegetables are also common.

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