Israel: A Culinary Tour

Hello from Jerusalem! As someone who incorporates food and restaurants into all of her travel experiences, I would be completely remiss if I did not write to you all about the incredible food experience we have had here. I am Italian, and in Italy asking someone what they have eaten that day is like asking the question how are you in English. Food is that important. So take it from someone who knows good food when I tell you that Israeli cuisine is incredible. From hummus, to falafel, to freshly baked pastries and bread, I have not had a single meal I did not love here. Let me start with the hummus. We have been to some of the best hummus restaurants in Israel, including Abu Hassan in Jaffa. The menu was very simple, either regular hummus, hummus with fava beans in it, or their special hummus that they make with a blend of herbs and spices. I had the special hummus and the perfect flavor and texture will make it hard for me to eat hummus when I come home. We have had hummus at almost every place we have traveled throughout Israel, and it is made differently in every location. The Arabs in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem had their own version as did the Bedouins and the Druze, but they are all equally delicious in their unique ways. Next is the falafel. Almost anywhere you go in Israel, this fried chickpea specialty is fried to perfection, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. Never dry like the falafel you get in the States most of the time. My personal favorite is a falafel place right outside our dorms here at Hebrew University's Student Village that serves falafel in pita bread with your choice of hummus, vegetables, and sauces. The baked goods here also the best I have had (outside of Italia of course :-) ). Bread is often baked in a brick oven and I have had it for breakfast with freshly made jams or with my lunch or dinner with different spreads and spices. As for the pastries, you cannot leave Israel without trying Rugelach, a crescent shaped pastry with chocolate inside. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Italian cornetto filled with nutella, but I have been to the Jewish quarter at least once a week since arriving in Jerusalem for this superb sweet. In short, dining in Israel has raised my culinary standards and while I still uphold that Italy has the BEST food, Israel comes in a very, very close second place.