"What's The Food Like?" by Carson Sturgis
Banner Photo: View of Amphitheater from tea. Photo Credit: Sturgis, 2026.
Amman’s food scene is bigger than I initially thought!
Almost every day after class, I try to explore a new part of the city, and in my opinion, the best way to do that was by going to a local restaurant. I Uber to an unfamiliar neighborhood and be forced to figure out where to eat, what to do, and how to navigate the city on my own. Having no plans is truly the best plan.
I was initially worried about what the food situation would be like at my homestay, but it has turned out to be some of the best food I have ever had. I am incredibly lucky to have been placed with a host mother who is an amazing cook.
Below are dishes that I have tried both at home from my host mother and at different restaurants around Amman.
Khashouska
A famous Jordanian restaurant located in Abdoun, mostly known for its breakfast. I ate lunch there and ordered Shakshuka, which is a hot pot of tomatoes and eggs, along with Chicken Fokhara, which is a cheesy chicken dish mixed with vegetables.
2. Mansaf
My host mother made mansaf for me during my first week in Amman. Mansaf is the most famous Jordanian dish consisting of rice, lamb, nuts and dried yogurt; traditionally eaten by hand.
3. Habibeh Sweets
Kunafa, a famous Jordanian dessert that is made up of a hot cheesy bottom with dough on top sprinkled with pistachios and syrup.
4. Msakhan
Another meal cooked by my host mother. Msakhan is another traditional Jordanian dish consisting of bread as the base topped with onions and chicken. A typically messy dish often eaten with gloves on.
5. Fettuccine Alfredo
I am not a huge fan of Italian food but who would’ve thought that the best alfredo I’ve tried in my life was cooked by my Jordanian host mother!
6. Khadija
A Khaleej (Gulf Region) restaurant in Abdoun, where I tried Chicken Sayyijeh with vegetables with hummus and bread as an appetizer.
7. Ftour
Every Friday morning, my host mother invites her extended family over for a big breakfast. The meal includes bread, hummus, za’atar, falafel, manakish, galayet bandora, french fries, and cauliflower.
8. Maqluba
A traditionally Palestinian and Jordanian dish translated to “upside down,” consisting of chicken, rice, tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes. Another amazing meal cooked by my host mother.
Maqluba. Photo Credit: Sturgis, 2026.
Carson is a student at George Washington University, and studying abroad in Spring 2026 on Amideast’s Area and Arabic Language Study Program in Amman, Jordan.
