10 Best foods to try in Israel
10 Best foods to try in Israel
Intro
Israel is a vibrant and diverse country known for its rich cultural heritage and mouthwatering cuisine.
Nestled in the Middle East, Israel offers a delightful culinary experience that reflects the influence of various cultures and traditions.
From the bustling markets of Tel Aviv to the charming streets of Jerusalem, this land of ancient history and modern innovation boasts a plethora of tantalizing dishes.
Whether you’re a food lover seeking new flavors or an adventurous traveler looking to tantalize your taste buds, exploring the best foods in Israel is an absolute must.
Embark on a gastronomic journey as we uncover some of the country’s most iconic and delectable dishes, showcasing the fusion of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Jewish culinary traditions.
Get ready to savor the flavors of Israel and discover the vibrant tapestry of tastes that make it a true food lover’s paradise.
What makes Israeli food so special?
Israel has the best food in my opinion, if you ask me. One of the main reasons I’m so excited to visit… and return to Israel is the food. Ha!
There is a lot of food to eat in Israel, but don’t worry—many eateries offer fixed menus, so you may sample a variety of foods in a single sitting.
I suppose the combination of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food could account for it.
There are many wonderful Israeli cuisine when you add the international element to it because the culture is quite diversified and people come from all around.
I love Israeli cuisine because of its flavors, freshness and it also feels healthy – even though I always end up eating too much bread.
List of Israeli foods to try when you travel to Israel
1. Falafel
Falafels are quite popular and known worldwide. When you think about it, the idea is quite simple – a deep-fried ball of chickpeas.
If you haven’t noticed yet, it’s super easy to eat vegetarian in Israel. There are a lot of options for non-meat eaters.
You can eat falafels on their own, with a salad, in a pita, there’s no right or wrong.
You can find falafels pretty much everywhere!
2. Hummus
The hummus found in Israel is something else. It can even be a proper meal on its own. Hummus is strongly present in the food culture and the locals would even say something like “Let’s go wipe some hummus” – of course, this is an average translation, but still, you get the idea, don’t you?
3.Burekas
Burekas are pretty popular in Israel and in Turkey. It’s a very tasty snack easy to find in markets. These pastries are stuffed with different things such as cheese, spinach, or sweet potatoes. They are usually served with boiled eggs and sauce.
You can find very good ones in both Carmel Market and Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv.
4. Tahini
Tahini is a popular Israeli condiment. Basically, Israelis eat tahini with pretty much everything. You can dip your falafels in tahini, add it to your daily dose of hummus, or simply wipe your pita into it.
Tahini is basically a sauce made of crushed sesame seeds (it’s like a dense paste), lemon juice, garlic and water.
5. Baba Ganoush
Baba ganoush is a bit like Hummus’s best mate and is easily one of the best Israeli dishes. It’s a creamy grilled eggplant dip – and another great reason to eat more pita bread.
Baba ganoush isn’t a meal on its own. It normally comes with a bunch of other things and is more of a side dish that comes with the appetizers.
6. Shakshuka
Shakshuka is one of the best Israeli meals. This dish is very popular in the Middle East. It’s hard to know who really invented it – everyone claims it.
That said, it doesn’t change the fact that you can find some good shakshuka in Israel.
Shakshuka is basically a sauce of tomatoes with poached eggs. It sounds pretty simple, but it’s actually delicious.
7. Stuffed Vine Leaves
Even if this can sound a bit odd, stuffed vine leaves are pretty popular amongst Israelis. This dish is also popular in Greece, Turkey, and many countries in the Middle East.
The grape leaves can be stuffed with cheese or other things, depending on where you’re getting them from.
8. Halva
Halva is a very popular dessert in the Middle East and in North Africa. As you walk around the markets, don’t be surprised if you see these big creamy cakes.
Halvas are usually made of ground sesame paste, tahini, and other things to make them sweet.
9. Malabi
Malabi – is a favorite food discovery in Israel. This pudding which looks pretty simple is absolutely delicious! The pudding is topped with rosewater, nuts, coconut and cookie crumbles. It might be simple, but what a tasty combination!
We found this dessert right outside Carmel Market.
10. Burika
As you walk in the market, you might hear some people yelling “Burika”. This means you should be in the right spot to try one of the popular street food snacks in Israel. It’s definitely not the healthiest option, ha!
Imagine a deep-fried dough that is filled with things such as egg, potato, and other things.
You can find burikas in markets – we found them at Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.
Someone can be really delighted after trying out these local meals, do not hesitate to find any of these meals to try out when you visit Israel and also do well to checkout this blog for more.
