My Amman Life

Though Jordanians love their lahmeh (meat), it is not hard to be a vegan in this country. Middle Eastern cuisine is full of options for both vegans and vegetarians alike.

Though falafel, hummus and pita bread are delicious, there are plenty of other ways to keep your stomach full and happy without straying from vegetarianism or veganism.

Below are some of my favorite go-to vegan-friendly dishes to order straight off the menu at traditional Middle Eastern cuisine restaurants.

Useful tips: It’s worth noting that some of the items might have animal-based broth. You can ask the waiter “fi maraq hayawan?” This means – is there animal broth? Another ingredient to watch out for is ghee. You can ask “fi samneh?” (is there ghee?).

Hummus

Main ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, olive oil

Shorbet Adas (lentil soup)

Falafel

Main ingredients: fried chickpeas, spices

Yalanji / Waraq Einab (stuffed grape leaves)

Main ingredients: Grape leaves, rice, spices

Maqdous (mini stuffed eggplants)

Main ingredients: baby eggplants stuffed with walnuts, red chilies, garlic and preserved in olive oil

Mujaddara

Main ingredients: lentils, rice, caramelized onions

Bamya (okra stew)

Main ingredients: okra, tomatoes, onion, parsley

Tip: Bamia can also be made with meat, so make sure you ask first

Fasolya (white bean tomato soup)

Main ingredients: white beans, tomato

Yakhni Sabanekh (spinach & chickpea stew)

Manaqeesh Zaatar

Main ingredients: bread with olive oil and zaatar spice (thyme, sumac, oregano, sesame seeds)

Tabbouleh

Main ingredients: bulgur, parsley, mint, tomato, cucumber, lemon juice

Fattoush

Main ingredients: cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, mint, lemon juice, sumac, grape molasses dressing, fried pita croutons

Salata Tahini

Main ingredients: tomato, cucumbers, tahini, lemon juice

Tamriyyeh

Source: food-heritage.org

Main ingredients: dough: semolina, water and salt; filling: semolina, sugar, water, orange blossom water, mastic. Fried in sunflower oil and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

and…

don’t forget that the staples like pita bread, olives, and pickles are vegan-friendly, too!