Must-try dishes in the holy land

1. falafel

Falafel, or fried bean dough balls, are a staple of the Middle East. They combine the flavors of garlic, cumin, coriander, and chickpeas with a green filling of parsley and coriander. Add pomegranate juice for 7 Israeli shekels ($2) and you have a filling, antioxidant-packed meal for under $5.

Món falafel vỏ giòn rụm, nhân mềm tơi — Crispy falafel with soft, fluffy filling

2. hummus

Hummus is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas mixed with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. You can buy it in countless supermarkets around the world, but nothing compares to the kind you can find in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda Market. This street-level version is drizzled with oil and sprinkled with raw vegetables, making it much richer and more flavorful than the packaged version.

3. Fresh fruit juice

One of the most unique things you can find in the markets of Israel in general and Jerusalem in particular is fresh fruit juice. Vendors will squeeze all kinds of seasonal fruits into juice and the best time to enjoy these cool and sweet juices, especially pomegranate juice, is in the fall.

Trang thông tin du lịch và phong cách sống Travellive+

Quầy nước ép hoa quả tại một góc phố ở Jerusalem — Fruit juice stall on a street corner in Jerusalem

Người bán hàng ép nước cam cho khách — The vendor squeezes orange juice for the customer.

4. Schnitzel

In many parts of the world, schnitzel is a breaded and fried veal cutlet, but in Israel or Jerusalem it is transformed into fried chicken breast. Schnitzel can be eaten alone with vegetables or in a sandwich with fries, don't forget to drizzle with sauce.schug(a hot sauce originating from Yemeni cuisine) is super delicious but also super spicy.

Món schnitzel gà ăn kèm rau và khoai tây nghiền — Chicken schnitzel served with vegetables and mashed potatoes

5. Muttabaq

"Muttabaq" means "folded" in Arabic. It is a pan-fried savory flatbread that originated in Yemen and is a popular street food in Jerusalem.

Món muttabaq có thể được tìm thấy ở khắp Trung Đông và thậm chí là một số vùng ở châu Á — Muttabaq can be found throughout the Middle East and even some parts of Asia.

6. Shakshuka

Forget boring breakfasts and start your day full of energy with Shakshuka. This typical Israeli dish can also be served for lunch or dinner as it is very nutritious with poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce, topped with cheese and some herbs and can be served with bread.