"Maqluba means 'upside-down': the whole pot of layered rice, meat and fried vegetables is flipped onto a platter at the table, ideally holding its shape like a savoury cake."
About Maqluba
Maqluba is one of Jordan's most beloved dishes, representing the rich culinary tradition of the region.
Maqluba — a staple of Jordan's cuisine
The Upside-Down Dish Maqluba means 'upside-down', and the name describes the drama of serving it. Layers of rice, meat (usually chicken or lamb) and fried vegetables such as aubergine, cauliflower and potato are cooked together in one pot, then the whole pot is flipped upside-down onto a platter at the table, ideally holding its shape like a savoury cake.
A Family Spectacle The flip is the moment everyone waits for, and a clean release is a point of pride for the cook. Spiced with cinnamon, allspice and other warm seasonings and often topped with nuts and yogurt, maqluba is a beloved home-cooked feast across Jordan and the Levant.
What to Expect
The theatre of maqluba is the flip, when the pot is upturned and lifted to reveal a steaming tower of spiced rice, meat and vegetables. Served with yogurt and a simple salad, it is a warm, aromatic family feast you are most likely to enjoy in a Jordanian home.
Why Try It
It is one of the Levant's great home-cooked dishes, and the dramatic table-side flip makes it as much a spectacle as a meal.
Insider Tips
If you can, eat it in a home or a traditional restaurant where the flip is done at the table.
It is usually served with plain yogurt and a fresh salad to balance the rich, spiced rice.
Aubergine is the classic vegetable layer; ask which version a kitchen makes.
