I have a strong appreciation for Israeli and Jewish food and have been fortunate to try many different styles and variations. Although it can be difficult to find truly authentic Israeli food in Boston, these are a few of my favorites:
Falafel
Falafel is a deep-fried chickpea ball, often served in pita bread with fresh salad and tahini. These golden-brown balls, crispy outside and green on the inside from herbs, are nestled in warm pita for the perfect bite.
Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato, chili, and bell pepper sauce. It is typically served in a sizzling skillet, with a tasty red sauce and sunny-side-up eggs floating in the center.
Challah
Challah is a braided egg bread, traditionally eaten on Shabbat. It is a golden, shiny, braided loaf — soft and fluffy on the inside, with a glossy crust from an egg wash.
Latkes
Latkes are crispy potato pancakes fried to perfection and often served with applesauce or sour cream. These flat, golden-brown patties have round edges and a warm, crunchy texture.
Hummus
Hummus is a creamy spread made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic. It is a smooth, beige dip typically garnished with olive oil, paprika, parsley and/or whole chickpeas in the center.
Matzo Ball Soup
Matzo ball soup is a comforting chicken broth featuring fluffy dumpling-like balls made from matzo meal. The soup is usually a clear, yellowish broth with beige matzo balls and floating bits of carrot and dill.
Sabich
Sabich is a pita sandwich filled with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, salad, amba (tangy pickled mango), and tahini. It’s flavor-packed pita bursting with colorful layers — deep purple eggplant and bright yellow yolk peeking through.
Kugel
Kugel is a baked casserole, sweet (noodle pudding) or savory (potato based). It’s usually served in squares of wedge-shaped pieces, often with a golden, crispy top and soft interior.
Bourekas
Bourekas are flaky pastries filled with cheese, potatoes, or sometimes mushrooms. These pastries come in triangle or square shapes, with sesame seeds sprinkled on top for extra crunch.
Jerusalem Mixed Grill (Meorav Yerushalmi)
Meorav Yerushalmi is a popular street food made with grilled chicken hearts, liver, and spleen with onions and spices. The result is a dark, caramelized mix served either in a pita or on a plate.
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