Restaurants In Israel

Israeli Restaurants

The restaurant scene in Israel is a thriving and exciting part of Israeli culture. Israeli restaurants cover a broad spectrum of cuisines, reflecting…

… the diverse origins of many Israelis…

… the local food traditions…

…and the increasingly sophisticated and global tastes of the Israeli public as more people travel abroad for business and pleasure.

New Israeli cuisine?

There is some argument over whether such a thing as Israeli cuisine exists. We’ll leave that debate to the experts, and in the meantime, we suggest you try “new Israeli cuisine” at one of Israel’s gourmet restaurants.

These restaurants, known as "chef restaurants", offer a new style of Israeli food. Many of these chefs trained in top restaurants abroad, then brought their talents back to Israel where they fuse what they learned with local flavors and ingredients, creating something new altogether.

Where to eat

Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or an elegant dining experience, you can find it all in Israel. The question of course, is where to go eat! 

There are many good restaurants to be found throughout the country, but most of the top restaurants are located in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The center region also has its share of high-caliber offerings.

You can also find fine restaurants in the Haifa area, as well as in thenorthern area of the country, across the Galilee and the Golan Heights. There are several quality dining options in the south, and Eilat has some excellent restaurants as well.

Prefer to eat vegetarian? Quite a few restaurants in Israel arevegetarian or vegetarian-friendly. If you eat dairy, any kosher dairy restaurant (they serve no meat whatsoever) will be a good option. 

Be sure to try one of these restaurants if breakfast is your favorite meal of the day. And if you’re craving some junky fast food, not to worry, you can get that here as well.

No dress code

Generally speaking, Israeli culture is casual. When dining out, you may choose to dress up as a matter of personal preference...

...but you won't be turned away from top restaurants if you show up in casual clothes. There’s no such thing as “jacket and tie required” or “no jeans and sneakers allowed” in Israeli restaurants. 

Smoking permitted

While most establishments are smoke-free, some restaurants and cafes do have separate smoking sections. Many Israelis smoke, and smoking is allowed in places with outdoor seating.

Adapted From: http://www.israel-food-guide.com/israeli-restaurants.php

Popular Israeli Food

While there is a tremendous variety of cuisines and food eaten in Israel, certain dishes are considered typical Israeli food.

These traditional foods of Israel can be found throughout the country...

...in restaurants and cafés...

...food stands...

...and of course, in many Israeli homes.

In big cities and small towns, Israelis from all walks of life enjoy these popular Israeli foods.

It’s easiest to try them during a trip to Israel, but you can also find many of these dishes at a local Israeli or Middle Eastern restaurant, a specialty market, or make them in your own kitchen!

Israeli Breakfast Foods:
These dishes are universally popular in Israel. We often eat them at home because they’re easy to make and very filling. A chopped Israeli salad is often served on the side.

Borekas – these pastries can be filled with cheese, potatoes, or vegetables

Israeli breakfast – features fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheeses

Israeli salad – a popular way to enjoy vegetables

Jachnun – a filling dish made from dough and cooked overnight

Labane – a tangy yogurt spread to be enjoyed at any meal

Shakshooka – an easy way to enjoy eggs in the morning (or anytime!)

Israeli Lunch / Dinner Foods:
Popular Israeli food is characteristically simple. A typical lunch in Israel is shnitzel with different side salads, including hummus and tahini, and served with rice or mashed potatoes, and vegetables. 

For a quick meal on the go, it’s easy to grab a falafel or shwarma on the street, usually stuffed in pita with French fries ("chips") and salad.

Baba Ganoush – a tangy eggplant spread

Falafel – deep fried chickpea balls, often served in pita bread

Hummus – a mashed chickpea spread, hummus can be served in many ways and is a staple in Israeli households

Malawach – this flaky round pastry can be enjoyed with sweet or savory toppings

Pita bread – the “national bread” of Israel

Sabih – a sandwich of fried eggplant, hard boiled egg, tahini in pita

Shnitzel – chicken cutlets breaded and fried, Israeli supermarkets also offer many varieties of frozen “shnitzelim” to be enjoyed easily at home

Shwarma – grilled lamb or other meat that is then sliced or “shaved”, often enjoyed in pita or laffa bread

Tahini – a delicious spread made from ground sesame seeds


Israeli Snack Foods / Desserts:
These are just some of the sweet treats available in Israel. Disclaimer - they're not exactly dietetic! 

Baklava - a sweet layered pastry enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East

Crêpes - In the malls and on the streets, food stands sell freshly made crêpes, available with different fillings.

Ice Cream - Israelis, like people all over the world, love their ice cream.

Knafeh – this dessert is made of shredded pastry, soft cheese and sweet syrup

Malabi – a pudding flavored with rose water and topped with nuts

Sahlab – a rich, creamy, sweet hot drink or pudding


Israeli Drinks:
I have to admit, living in Israel has converted me from a die-hard tea drinker to a coffee drinker. The coffee served in cafés here is delicious! Fruit shakes and lemonades are especially refreshing and tasty because the produce is grown locally.

Café Afuch – an “upside-down” cappuccino

Fruit Shake – in Israel these shakes are always fresh and flavorful

Mint Lemonade – called “lemonana”, sometimes served frozen and blended

Mint Tea - enjoyed with or without a teabag!


As you can see from this list, most of the popular food in Israel is also “everyday food” – tasty, unpretentious dishes to be enjoyed often, both in and out of the home.

Adapted From: http://www.israel-food-guide.com/israeli-food.php

Chinese Foods: Ginger Soy Steamed Fish

This recipe comes from cookbook author Farina Kingsley, and is one of the new recipes from her recently launched cookbook app "Farina's Asian Pantry." She says: "A popular technique in Cantonese cooking, steaming is a delicious and healthy way of preparing fish and it keeps the meat flavourful and moist. I enjoy serving this simplistic dish family style with Minced Chicken in Lettuce Cups" 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs or 4 (6 oz) sea bass or halibut filets

1/4 cup green onions, white parts only, finely sliced on the bias

3 tablespoons cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons canola oil

.

Sauce:

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely sliced into slivers

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

1 teaspoon oyster sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

Credit to: http://chinesefood.about.com/

Chnese Food: Braised-Tofu

Tofu is extremely versatile – it can be stir-fried, deep-fried, or even baked. If you're a fan of tofu, you'll be sure to find something to inspire you in these recipes.

1. Braised Tofu

Zhangguying Style Braised Tofu in a Bowl with Chopsticks

Chunks of medium firm tofu (you can substitute soft) are braised with shiitake mushrooms and other vegetables in a simple but flavorful sauce with soy sauce, sugar and chicken stock. Feel free to substitute Japanese edamame beans instead of snap peas if desired.

Here's a great way to enjoy a Chinese culinary staple. In this recipe medium or soft tofu and vegetables are braised in a simple, flavorful mixture of soy sauce,stock and sugar, with a splash of Asian sesame oil added at the end.

Ingredients:

1 pkg (14oz) House Premium or Organic Tofu, Medium or Soft

4 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked

5 white mushrooms, canned

1 large carrot, cooked

2 green onions

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp frozen snap peas or edamame

5 slices ginger root

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sugar

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 tsp cornstarch (mix with 1 Tbsp water as paste)

1/2 tsp sesame oil

http://chinesefood.about.com/od/tof1/tp/Eight-Different-Ways-To-Cook-Tofu.htm

West Food : French Toast

The French Toast With eggs, butter and honey. Made in France, Viva La France

Nice for breakfast.... for dietary person. 

Ingredients for French Toast:

Original recipe makes 6 slices French Toast Change Servings

 6 thick slices bread

 2 eggs

 2/3 cup milk

 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

 salt to taste

Directions

1. Beat together egg, milk, salt, desired spices and vanilla.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle of skillet over medium-high flame.

3. Dunk each slice of bread in egg mixture, soaking both sides. Place in pan, and cook on both sides until         golden. Serve hot.

Credits to: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/french-toast-i/

Sabahan Traditional Dishes: Tuhau

Tuhau

Tuhau included in the category of ginger. It is widely used in Sabahan dishes especially by the KadazanDusun community. Like other food ingredients, Tuhau also can be mixed in any type of cooking such as soup or stir-fry. One of the most special and famous recipe is the Sambal Tuhau.

Sambal Tuhau is a KadazanDusun traditional side dish. Its very flexible and can be served with various type of food, no matter traditional or modern dishes. Some people doesn’t like it due to the strong smell but most likely many people in Sabah especially the Dusun people really like it so much.

Sambal Tuhau

Ingredients:

5-8 stems tuhau
5 bird eye chili
1 lime
Shrimp paste (optional)
some salt
Methods:
Peel the hard skin of the tuhau’s stem, take only the soft inside. Then chop finely.
Mash the bird eye chili. Mix together with the chopped Tuhau.
Add in salt and lime juice. Stir until well combined.
Marinate for a while. Ready to serve.
To be more durable, marinate with vinegar instead of lime juice and store in airtight jar. Refrigerate.

Adopted: http://eyokecooking.blogspot.com/2010/07/sambal-tuhau.html

Dusun Kadazan Traditional Foods: Hinava

Hinava

Hinava is a traditional native dish for the Kadazan-Dusun people in the states of Sabah. It was made from fish and mixed with lime juice, bird's eye chili, slice shallots and grated gingers. While the Kadazan are famous with their Hinava tongii.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Main ingredients

Fish, lime juice, bird's eye chili, red onion, salt, Variations Hinava ginapan, hinava tongii

 The best dishes in Penampang Sabah. It was really delicious when mixed it with salted fish and rice hill. I really like it so much.

Photo: Google Images

Dusun Traditional Foods : Bambangan

Bambangan

Another dishes from Sabah which has very unique flavour is "Bambangan". The Iban people in Sarawak called it - " Mawang".

Bambangan is a type of wild mango with brown skin and a somewhat pungent smell. This is not eaten fresh as a fruit but made into a pickle or cooked with fish for a distinctive flavour. Nevertheless, some iban people like to eat it as fruit.

Bambangan is one of the kadazan dusun people's choices for a sour tang to their food. sometimes, the mango is fried with onion and chilli and served as a side-dish or sambal. The Bambangan also can mixed with grated seeds to make the flavour more delicious!

You can get your Bambangan at "tamu" markets or street markets in Sabah.don't miss this speciality when you come to Sabah!

Bambangan

Adopted from: http://www.fascinatingmalaysia.com

The Traditional Foods In Rural Area In Sabah: Bosou

Welcome to my site.... I present to you the glorious dishes in Sabah and South Asia. 

Bosou - Pickled Fish with white pepper, Ginger Flower, Ginger, Salt and Rice Hill (Tadong).

Bosou with salted fish

Ingredients for making Bosou

Delicious Bosou

Created By: Pepe

Images: Google Images

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