If you think hummus and falafel are all Israel has to offer, you’re mistaken. Israel has one of the best cuisines in the world. From taste, flavors, and ingredients to plating style and creativity, Israeli dishes never disappoint. What’s more, the Israeli cuisine has something for everyone.

Whether you’re a meat-lover or an all-veg foodie, you can find some delicious food items in Israel. And just to put it out there, the hummus you bought at your local store is nothing compared to the one prepared fresh at one of these restaurants.

People from all across the world move to Israel for the high standard of living. From Russian to Moroccan and African, you can get a food fix for all kinds of international cuisines in Israel.

In this blog, we’re sharing the most popular dishes from Israel that you shouldn’t miss out on!

1.   Shakshuka

Shakshuka is the native name for one of the most famous dishes in Israel. Made with eggs cooked up in a paste of tomatoes and peppers, this gravy-like dish can be enjoyed as is or with a side of pita, sabich, rice, Khubz, or Challah.

Shashuka can be cooked keeping the spice tolerance in mind, but normally, this dish is on the spicier side and has a great lift-me-up kick that we all need sometimes.

The base sauce in Shashuka is prepared using onions, ginger, garlic, peppers, and lots of tomatoes—the main ingredient. A tip here is to ask the waiter about the spices and seasonings used before ordering Shashuka. You can get it customized as per your liking.

2.   Sfenj

Sfenj is the ultimate Israeli bagel. This dish was originated in northwest Africa and traveled to Israel where it became uberly popular. Sfenj is now considered a staple street food available everywhere in Israel.

This doughnut-bagel-like snack is made with unsweetened dough with yeast that gives it an airy inside and crispy outer layer. After deep frying, it’s coated with powdered sugar for the perfect sweetness. Some places in Israel offer sfenj with creative twists. You can also enjoy sfenj with assorted coatings such as chocolate, honey, maple syrup, or nuts. This dish is also considered a Hanukkah essential.

Recommended Reading: The Flavors of Israel: Israeli Snacks You Must Try

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