Let's be honest. After a week of hummus, mansaf, and shawarma, you might start dreaming of a bowl of ramen, some pad thai, or a plate of crispy Peking duck. I've been there. Living in Amman for years, I've gone on my own quest to find decent Asian food in Jordan. It's a scene that's grown from virtually non-existent to surprisingly vibrant, but it's full of hidden gems and a few disappointing traps.
This guide isn't a generic list. It's the result of many meals, some great, some mediocre, and conversations with chefs and fellow food-obsessed expats. I'll show you where to go, what to order, and more importantly, how to set your expectations so you don't end up with sweet-and-sour chicken that tastes nothing like you hoped.
Your Quick Bite-Sized Guide
The Top Asian Restaurants in Jordan Right Now
Forget about finding a sprawling Chinatown. Good Asian food in Jordan is scattered, often tucked away in residential areas or upscale neighborhoods. Here are the spots that consistently deliver, based on food quality, authenticity, and overall experience.
1. Darna Village Restaurant (Chinese & Pan-Asian)
Location: Al Rabieh, Amman (near the Russian Embassy). It's in a villa, easy to miss.
The Vibe: Unassuming from the outside, warm and family-run inside. Don't expect fancy decor.
Must-Order: Their Kung Pao Chicken is legendary among the local Chinese expat community for its proper numbing spice. The Dan Dan Noodles and Steamed Fish with Ginger & Scallions are also standout dishes.
Price Point: Mid-range. Mains from 8-15 JOD.
My Take: This is the closest you'll get to home-style Chinese cooking in Amman. The owner is often around, and if you ask, he might whip up something off-menu. Portions are generous. Go with a group.
2. Kan Zaman Restaurant (Lebanese with a Twist, but notable Asian Section)
Location: Al Hussein Public Parks, Jabal Amman. It's a huge, famous complex.
The Vibe: Traditional Jordanian/Lebanese in a historic stable. The "Asian Corner" is a separate counter.
Must-Order: From the Asian counter, the Beef Teriyaki and Tempura are surprisingly well-executed. It's a fantastic option if your group wants mixed cuisines.
Price Point: Mid to high. Asian dishes around 10-18 JOD.
My Take: It's not a dedicated Asian spot, but the quality is reliable. Perfect for introducing Jordanian friends to Asian flavors in a familiar setting. The ambiance is unbeatable, especially in the courtyard on a summer night.
3. Sushi Maru (Japanese/Korean)
Location: Multiple branches, but the one in Abdoun (Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan St.) is the flagship.
The Vibe: Modern, clean, efficient. Popular for business lunches and dinners.
Must-Order: Their sashimi platters are fresh. For cooked food, the Bibimbap in a hot stone bowl is excellent, and the Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) is crispy and not greasy.
Price Point: Mid to high. Sushi rolls 6-12 JOD, mains 10-20 JOD.
My Take: One of the more consistent chains. The fish quality is monitored closely. It's not a Tokyo back-alley sushi bar, but for Jordan, it's very good. They also do decent Korean barbecue at certain branches.
Beyond these three, the scene has players like P.F. Chang's in Abdoun Mall (reliable American-Chinese chain), Noodle House (pan-Asian, good for noodles), and a growing number of Thai restaurants like Thai House in Sweifieh. For Indian food, which has a stronger historical presence, Bombay Nights in Lweibdeh is a classic.
How to Navigate the Jordanian Palate for Asian Food?
This is the part most guides miss. Asian restaurants in Jordan aren't cooking just for Asians. They're cooking for a local market with specific tastes. Understanding this changed everything for me.
Jordanians generally prefer less spicy food, sweeter sauces, and are less adventurous with textures like tripe or certain kinds of seafood. As a result, many menus are adapted.
That "Sichuan" dish might be toned down. The pho might be a bit sweeter. It's not inauthentic per se; it's localized. The mistake tourists make is expecting the exact flavor profile from Bangkok or Shanghai.
Here’s a non-consensus point: The best Asian food in Jordan often isn't the most "authentic" by purist standards. It's the food that finds a clever balance between the original recipe and local preferences. A chef who slavishly replicates a regional Chinese dish with all its pungent fermented flavors might go out of business. The successful ones adapt intelligently.
So, how do you get what you want?
- Ask for spice on the side. Always. Then you can control the heat level.
- Describe what you like. Tell the waiter "I like it savory, not sweet" or "I want it very spicy, like for a local in Thailand."
- Look at who's eating there. If the place is full of local families, expect more adaptation. A mix of local and East Asian customers is the golden ticket.
Practical Tips & Tricks for Your Asian Food Journey
Ordering Like a Pro
Don't just point at the menu. Engage. Many kitchens have ingredients for off-menu items. At a Chinese place, asking if they have mapo tofu or yu xiang qiezi (fish-fragrant eggplant) might unlock a secret menu. At a Japanese place, inquiring about fresh uni (sea urchin) or amaebi (sweet shrimp) can reveal the day's best catch.
Budgeting Your Meal
Asian food in Jordan isn't street food cheap. You're looking at:
- High-end: 20-35 JOD per person (fine dining sushi, multi-course Chinese meals).
- Mid-range: 10-20 JOD per person (the sweet spot for most good restaurants).
- Casual: 5-10 JOD per person (simple noodle soups, bento boxes at lunch).
Always check if service charge is included (usually 10%). Tipping extra (5-10%) for great service is appreciated.
A Sample Day of Asian Eating in Amman
Let's make this concrete. If I had one day to showcase Asian food in Amman to a friend, here’s what we’d do:
Lunch (1:00 PM): Head to Darna Village. Order the Kung Pao Chicken, a vegetable stir-fry (like garlic spinach), and steamed rice. Share everything. The bustle of the lunch crowd adds to the experience.
Afternoon Snack (4:30 PM): Grab a bubble tea. Chains like Sharetea or YiFang have popped up around the city, particularly near universities. It's not a meal, but it's a fun, modern Asian flavor hit.
Dinner (8:00 PM): Go to Sushi Maru in Abdoun. Start with edamame and a seaweed salad. Share a signature roll (like the Dragon Roll) and a main each—perhaps a teriyaki salmon and the bibimbap. The evening crowd is lively.
It's a mix of traditional and modern, cooked and raw, giving a full picture of what's available.
One Last Thing: Manage your expectations, but be open to surprise. The Asian food scene in Jordan is a fascinating cultural hybrid. The bowl of ramen you get here tells a story of migration, adaptation, and business savvy. It might not be identical to the one in Tokyo, but on a cool Amman evening, it can hit the spot in its own unique way.
Questions You Might Be Asking
Is Asian food in Jordan expensive?
It can be, relative to local food. Upscale restaurants in areas like Abdoun or Sweifieh can run you 15-30 JOD per person for a full meal with drinks. More casual spots and local favorites like Darna Village offer better value, with mains between 5-12 JOD. The key thing to remember is that cheap, street-style Asian food is almost non-existent here. Most options are proper sit-down restaurants, which drives the price up compared to a falafel sandwich.
Can I find vegetarian-friendly Asian options in Amman?
You can, but you need to be specific and ask questions. A common pitfall is that many vegetable stir-fries or tofu dishes are cooked in chicken stock or contain oyster sauce (which is not vegetarian). Always ask for "vegetarian style" and confirm that no meat stock or fish/oyster sauce is used. Indian restaurants and some Thai places are generally more reliable and knowledgeable about vegetarian requirements. Don't assume the word "vegetable" on the menu guarantees it's fully vegetarian.
What's the best way to order Asian food for delivery in Jordan?
Use the major delivery apps: Talabat or Careem Food. They cover most good restaurants. A pro tip: check the "Most Ordered" section on a restaurant's app page. It quickly shows you what's popular and likely to be fresh and well-made. Be aware that delivery can soften textures, so if you're craving crispy spring rolls or perfect fried chicken, it's better to dine in. Noodles and saucy dishes like curries or braised items tend to travel better.
How do I know if an Asian restaurant in Jordan is authentic?
Look beyond the decor. A lot of places have generic "Asian" themed interiors. Instead, look at the clientele. A mix of local and expat Asian customers is a very strong sign. Peek at the menu—does it have a separate section in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean characters? That often indicates a deeper connection. Authentic places often have simpler decor focused on the food, not elaborate dragons and lanterns. Also, see if they offer proper condiments. A Chinese restaurant with good chili oil or a Japanese place with real wasabi (not the powdered mix) is trying harder.