Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan has been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Jordanian dish consists of rice, sheep or goat meat, and a dried yoghurt sauce called jameed. Mansaf is usually served on a large tray that is covered with flat Arabic bread and garnished with fried almonds or pine nuts. Traditionally, people eat Mansaf by gathering around the platter and scooping the rice along with the other ingredients into their hands.
Mansaf is a “festive dish that is central to Jordan’s socio-cultural events. An important and well-known symbol that evokes a deep sense of identity and social cohesion, it is associated with the agro-pastoral lifestyle in which meat and dairy are readily available,” UNESCO states.
For centuries, Mansaf has has been ingrained in Jordanian culture and heritage, making it one of the most beloved dishes among many Jordanians.
Check out the below video that shows how Mansaf is prepared and cooked.