For your first food shop in Jabal Amman, buy enough to settle in, then work out which shops fit your walk home. A small neighbourhood shop can cover a missing ingredient; a larger supermarket trip makes more sense when you need several bulky items. Start with your actual building and what you can comfortably carry uphill.
This guide is for students at German Jordanian University (GJU) in Jabal Amman and people living nearby. Confirm your campus building before planning the route. Our university campus guide explains the Jabal Amman locations; the main campus near Madaba is a different journey.
Where to start shopping
| Shop or option | Location | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Dukan Abdeen | Second Circle, Jabal Amman. | A named local supermarket option when planning errands around Second Circle. Check the map pin and hours before setting out. |
| Asia Market | Al-Buhtori Street 67, near Second Circle. Phone: 077 212 8611. | Useful when looking for Asian ingredients; call about the specific item before making a special trip. |
| Simply Cozmo, Wadi Saqra | Arar Mustafa Wahbi Al Tal Street, complex 231. Phone: 06 562 6401. | A larger shopping trip outside the immediate campus area. Compare transport or delivery costs with your basket. |
| Neighbourhood grocery, bakery or produce shop | Choose one on the route between your building and campus. | Useful for a small, frequent shop when carrying a full supermarket basket would be awkward. |
Dukan Abdeen’s Second Circle branch appears in Arab Bank’s supermarket merchant list. Asia Market’s address and number, and the Wadi Saqra branch details, are listed by Jordanian-Korean Trading Networks (JKT Networks), a food distributor. For directions, open the map links below and check the precise destination before leaving.
Dukan Abdeen map search · Asia Market map search · Simply Cozmo Wadi Saqra map search.
Asia Market for ingredients you may miss from home
Asia Market gives you a specific shop to contact when looking for Asian cooking ingredients. Have the product name, a photo of the packaging or the ingredient written in Arabic if you can. Ask about size and price as well as availability, especially if it is the reason for your trip.
Its location on Al-Buhtori Street makes it an option to consider while planning Second Circle errands. Use the numbered street address and shop pin for directions. A broad “Jabal Amman” search can send you to a different part of the neighbourhood. Call 077 212 8611 for the item and that day’s opening hours; plan your ordinary food shop around the rest of your list.
When a larger supermarket trip makes sense
Simply Cozmo in Wadi Saqra is outside the immediate campus area. Consider it for a combined shop for food, cleaning products and household supplies, rather than assuming it is a quick walk between classes. Work out the return journey before buying large bottles or heavy bags.
Cozmo states that its Simply Cozmo branches open daily from 7 am to midnight. Its online-order customer service number is 06 585 0999. For a delivery, enter your exact address before filling the basket so you can see the applicable area, slot and charges. Cozmo opening hours and online-order contacts.
If you share an apartment, a joint order can save separate trips, but agree who owns what before it arrives. Keep personal items separate from shared basics and take a photo of the receipt so splitting the bill is straightforward.
Price examples: compare the same size and product
These examples are listed online by the named retailers. They show how product type and pack size affect the basket; they are not prices for the small shops around campus. For a fair comparison, match the brand, quantity and type, then add any delivery or transport charge.
| Product | Listed online price | Unit comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Almarai full-fat milk, 1 litre, C-Town | JOD 1.50 | JOD 1.50 per litre. |
| Koita low-fat lactose-free milk, 1 litre, Cozmo | JOD 2.95 | JOD 2.95 per litre; a different product from ordinary milk. |
| Royal Umbrella Thai fragrant rice, 2 kg, Cozmo | JOD 3.30 | JOD 1.65 per kg, calculated from the pack price. |
| Kaset selected glutinous rice, 1 kg, Cozmo | JOD 1.95 | JOD 1.95 per kg; glutinous rice has different cooking uses. |
Price sources: C-Town milk listings, Cozmo milk listings and Cozmo rice listings. Confirm the price of your selected item in the basket or on the shelf. The two milk examples are alternatives for different needs, so a price difference does not by itself show which shop is cheaper.
For produce, compare the per-kilogram price and buy an amount you will use. For packaged food, check net weight and the expiry date. A larger pack is useful only if you have storage space and can finish it. Keep a few receipts from your own routine to build a weekly food budget that reflects what you eat.
A first shop for the first two or three days
- Breakfast: bread or oats, eggs or another protein you eat, and a small milk or yoghurt pack if you want one.
- Two simple meals: rice or pasta, lentils or beans, vegetables and the seasonings you actually use. Check what cookware is available first.
- Fruit and snacks in quantities you can finish, rather than buying a week’s fresh food on your arrival evening.
- Drinking water for your immediate needs, plus tea or coffee if part of your routine.
- Household basics: washing-up liquid, a sponge, rubbish bags and toilet paper. Check what is already provided before buying duplicates.
This is a suggested basket, not a fixed meal plan or quoted grocery budget. Adapt it to your diet and kitchen. If you are arriving late and want a meal before shopping, our Amman shawarma guide covers named restaurant options.
Useful food-shopping words
| English | Arabic | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | خبز (khubz) | Type, pack size and whether the price is per bag or by weight. |
| Milk | حليب (haleeb) | Fat level, chilled versus shelf-stable storage, and use-by date. |
| Eggs | بيض (bayd) | Number of eggs in the pack and condition of the shells. |
| Lentils | عدس (adas) | Red or brown, whole or split, and pack weight. |
| Price per kilo | سعر الكيلو (si’r el kilo) | Whether the displayed figure is for a kilogram or a smaller quantity. |
For allergies or a strict dietary requirement, use the ingredient list and a clear translation of what you must avoid. Ask about the actual product rather than relying on a familiar name or packaging colour. Refrigerate chilled purchases promptly, following the label’s storage instructions.
Paying, carrying bags and ordering to your building
Carry a payment backup and ask whether a shop accepts your card before filling a large basket. Keep the receipt until you have checked the items. For a delivery, give the building name or number, a precise map pin, your phone number and any access instructions. Review substitutions before accepting them if brand, ingredients or pack size matter to you.
Amman’s hills change how a grocery walk feels. Use the route from your own entrance, and make a smaller first trip to judge the climb and crossings. Avoid assigning a walking time from “the campus” until you have chosen the exact building. Combine the first shop with the errands in your first-week university checklist.
Setting up a kitchen in Jabal Amman
For a longer stay, check the fridge, cooking equipment and storage space before buying bulk supplies. Our Jabal Amman apartments for rent with room or whole-apartment options let you discuss the arrangement that fits your stay. Confirm the kitchen facilities, dates, price and shared spaces for the particular apartment.
For the rest of your arrival errands, read your first week in Amman. Set up your local contact number with the Jordan SIM and eSIM guide before relying on delivery calls.
