EATING IN ISRAEL

Wherever you go in Israel, you are sure to come across streets and markets filled with Israel’s best foods. In a region renowned for fantastic street food, local vendors and hole-in-the-wall eateries, you’ll be served up national favorites like hummus, falafel, shawarma, and shakshuka.

Here are my top choices of food to try when in Israel.

Hummus

Hummus is one of the most affordable dishes to try in Israel. While in many countries it may be dip or condiment, in Israel it is a whole meal. It is served hot with whole chickpeas, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkling of paprika. Scoop it out with some warm pita bread or eat it with a fork.

Sharwarma

Shawarma means ‘turning’ in Arabic and refers to the actual process the meat is cooked. There are many shawarma stands on nearly every street in Israel. Cuts of meat or a mix of meats (lamb, turkey, beef, chicken) are stacked onto the shawarma roasting skewer and cooked low and slow. Servings are shaved off to order and served in a pita or a laffa.

Falafel

Falafel is made from ground chickpeas which are deep-fried into yummy crispy balls. A falafel sandwich stuffed with chopped salad, hummus, tahini, pickles, and amba sauce is a perfect dish to try in Israel.

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a breakfast staple in Israel. It is poached eggs served in a pan of steaming hot, rich tomato, chili, and garlic sauce. The dish is then served with an Israeli salad, tahini, and a piece of bread for ultimate dipping purposes.