Have you heard of a dish called Mansaf?
Recently registered by UNESCO, this dish has a deep background and culture.
This time, we will introduce the traditional Jordanian dish, Mansaf!
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What is Mansaf?
Mansaf is a traditional Jordanian dish that is loved as a national food.
Lamb is simmered in fermented, dried yogurt and served on flatbread with rice or bulgur.
This dish, which has cultural and social significance, also has its own etiquette and eating customs.
This time, we will introduce Mansaf comprehensively, including its etiquette.
The History of Mansaf
Mansaf is said to have originated as a preserved food of the nomadic Bedouin people.
As a food that could be stored for long periods, they created jameed, the prototype of Mansaf sauce.
Jamid is a preserved food made from fermented and dried goat's and sheep's milk.
The unique sour taste of Mansaf comes from this sauce.
And it was the King of Moab of the Kingdom of Moab who shaped Mansaf.
It was built about 3,200 years ago to demonstrate the loyalty of the people in their battle against the Israelites.
This is considered a challenge to Jewish dietary laws (which prohibit mixing milk and meat in cooking).
At that time, Mansaf was typically made by adding coarse wheat, which was filling, to thinly baked bread soaked in meat soup.
Later, meat simmered in jamid began to be added, and this became the Mansaf we know today.
Furthermore, rice and nuts were introduced only in modern times.
First, in the 1950s, the development of trade routes led to rice replacing the traditional coarse wheat.
In the 1960s, roasted almonds and pine nuts were added as decorations.
As a result, the cooking method of simmering meat in jamie sauce became widespread, and the flavor evolved to become even richer.
Talking about Mansaf
Mansaf becomes a symbol of national identity
At first, Mansaf was a dish eaten by Bedouins and rural communities.
However, in the first half of the 20th century, it was widely promoted as a “national food” by the Jordanian government.
In the process, it spread to urban areas and national venues, becoming a symbol of “Bedouin tradition.”
Registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO
Jordan will submit an application to UNESCO in 2021 for “Mansaf in Jordan: A Celebratory Meal and Its Social and Cultural Significance.”
As a result, it will be registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in July 2025.
In this registration, Mansaf is recognized as a “tradition spanning more than 3,000 years,” “using natural ingredients such as locally produced lamb, jameed, and traditional bread,” and “a symbol of generous hospitality and social cohesion.”
“Chicken Mansaf is not authentic.”
There is a joke that “chicken Mansaf is not suitable for Jordanians.”
The traditional preference for mutton is discussed with a touch of humor.
Mansaf is a symbol of reconciliation.
Mansaf is not just a feast, but also serves as a “peace ceremony” to end tribal conflicts.
There is a cultural and social custom in which the leaders of opposing tribes gather, sacrifice sheep and goats, and surround themselves with Mansaf to show their intention to “reconcile.”
Regional characteristics
Al-Salt and Al-Karak
These areas in the Jordanian highlands are renowned for making the most delicious Mansaf.
Al-Karak is particularly famous as a producer of high-quality jamid.
West Bank and Negev Desert
Mansaf is also a popular dish in these regions, but the cooking method varies depending on local preferences and available ingredients.
Around Aqaba
In the port town of Aqaba, there is a dish called “fish mansaf” made with fish.
This is a regional variation that uses fish instead of mutton.
Urban areas and northern regions (Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, northern Jordan)
There are versions called “Shakreyyeh” and “Laban Emmo” that are not intended for formal ceremonies, but rather for eating at home or in casual settings.
These are sometimes made with regular yogurt instead of jamid and cooked with chicken.
Modern “cup serving” style
Some restaurants in Amman are also experimenting with selling mansuf in takeaway cups.
While it is considered convenient, it is also criticized as disregarding traditional values, as it is said to “undermine formality and dignity.”
Mansaf etiquette
Mansaf is Jordan's national dish, and its eating methods and manners reflect a unique culture.
It is good for everyone to know this so that everyone can enjoy eating.
eat with the right hand
- Mansaf is traditionally served on a large platter, and participants gather around it to eat together.
- When eating, it is polite to use your right hand and not use your left hand for eating.
- Use your hands to roll the rice, meat, and yogurt sauce into bite-sized balls and eat them directly.
Eat only the area in front of you
- When eating from a large plate surrounded by several people, it is considered good manners to eat only the portion in front of you.
- It is considered rude to reach out your hand in front of others.
The host takes the first bite
- When invited to a table, wait for the host to start eating first.
- When the host starts eating, it is a signal to everyone else to start eating as well.
Use of spoons and forks
- In urban areas and modern households, spoons are sometimes provided, but in places where tradition is valued, eating with your hands is respected.
Eating speed and manners
- It is considered rude to be too early or too late, so it is best to coordinate with those around you.
- When you are full, remove your hands from your mouth as a sign that you have finished eating, as a way of saying “thank you for the meal.”
Mansaf at a special place
- Mansaf is considered an important dish for entertaining guests at weddings, funerals, religious ceremonies, and diplomatic events in Jordan.
- Since it is served especially to welcome guests, it is expected that those who are served will eat it politely.
How to make Mansaf
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
- Lamb (preferably bone-in) ... approx. 1.5 kg
- Jamid (dried yogurt) ... 200g
*If unavailable → Greek yogurt + sour cream can be used as a substitute. - Basmati rice ... 3 cups
- Flatbread (Shrek/Markook) ... as needed
- Pine nuts or almonds (for roasting) ... ½ cup
- Butter or ghee ... 3 tablespoons
- Onion ... 1 (roughly chopped)
- Spices
- Cumin ... 1 teaspoon
- Turmeric ... 1 teaspoon
- Cinnamon ... ½ teaspoon
- Bay leaves ... 2 leaves
Preparation
- Bring back Jamido
- Soak dried jamie in water overnight to soften it.
- Blend until smooth, adding water as needed.
- (Substitute: Mix yogurt and water in a 1:1 ratio and add a small amount of sour cream to achieve a similar flavor.)
- Soak rice
- Wash the basmati rice and soak it in water for about 30 minutes.
Cooking Instruction
- Boil the lamb
- Put the lamb, onions, and bay leaves in a large pot and add enough water to cover.
- Simmer on low heat for about 1.5 hours, skimming off the foam, until the meat is tender.
- Make jammy sauce
- Warm the jammed in a separate pot.
- Add the meat broth little by little and adjust to your preferred concentration.
- Add salt and spices to adjust the flavor.
- Simmering meat in sauce
- Transfer the cooked lamb to the jamie sauce and simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Cook rice
- Heat ghee in a separate pan and fry cumin and turmeric.
- Add the soaked rice, sprinkle with salt, and stir fry lightly.
- Add the meat soup and cook (a rice cooker can be used).
- Presentation
- Place the flatbread on a large plate.
- Spread out the cooked rice and place the lamb on top.
- Pour plenty of jam sauce on top.
- Sprinkle with roasted pine nuts, almonds, and chopped parsley.
Summary
How was it?
Mansaf is not only Jordan's national dish, but also a dish with great cultural and social significance.
Mansaf is a unique dish made by simmering meat in yogurt.
Therefore, I think it is a special dish that allows you to enjoy the sourness of yogurt and the rich flavor of meat.
As I researched Mansaf, which has characteristics that are not often found in Japan, I became very interested in it.
However, there do not seem to be many restaurants in Japan that currently offer Mansaf.
Therefore, it may be best to make it at home using the recipes introduced above and enjoy it there.
I hope that this article will spark interest in Mansaf among as many people as possible.
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