Specializing in Private Tours of Israel and Israel's Lesser Known Tourist Attractions, the Gems.
Specializing in Private Tours of Israel and Israel's Lesser Known Tourist Attractions, the Gems. 

Israeli Food & Dining Glossary

Alei Dafna: Bay leaves.


Amba: Spicy mango pickle sauce, typically available at all falafel stands.

 

Baharat: Spice combination from the Eastern Mediterranean consisting of chili, black pepper, paprika, cloves, cinnamon,nutmeg, cardamom, cumin and coriander.

 

Baklawa: Sweet pastry made with leafy dough, filled with pistachios, honey and nuts.

 

Bakar: Beef.

 

Basar Lavan: Pork.

 

Basilicum: (also known as Reychan) Basil.

 

Beitzim: Eggs.

 

Borscht: A cold beet-based soup that is typically served with sour cream.

 

Burekas: Pastry of Turkish origin, filled with cheese, potato, meat, spinach or eggplant.

Challah: (also spelled: hallah) Ashkenazic egg bread. Usually made in braided form for the Sabbath, and in circular form for the Jewish new year (so that we remember the circular nature of life.).

 

Chalav: Milk.

 

Cholent: A slow-cooked stew of meat, potatoes and beans often made for Shabbat.

 

Couscous: Moroccan dish of tiny semolina grains.

 

Cusbara :(also known as Gad) Cilantro.

 

Dag: Fish.

 

Etrog: (also spelled: Esrog) Hebrew word for citron, a rare citrus fruit that resembles a lemon, but which has coarser skin. It is used in the festival of Sukkot.

 

Falafel: Chickpea and vegetable mixture made into balls and fried. Served in pita bread this is most common fast food in the country, which is served with a variety of salads, pickles etc.

 

Ful: The name for this fava or ‘broad’ bean is pronounced fool. Ful mudammas, (a type of stew) is considered the Egyptian national dish.

 

Gefilte fish: Literally, "stuffed fish." A mixture of ground fish--typically, pike, carp, and whitefish--that traditionally was stuffed back into a fish skin.

 

Gvina Levana: White Cheese (soft,spreadable)

 

Gvina Tzehuba: Yellow Cheese (hard)

 

Halvah: Sweet made of ground sesame seeds.

 

Hamantashen: Triangular pastries stuffed with jam, poppy seeds, or honey which are. eaten on Purim (to remind us of the villain Haman in the Purim story).

 

Harif: Chili-type hot sauce, eaten with falafel. Also refers to anything spicy.

 

Harira: Moroccan soup.

 

Harisa: Hot Tunisian chili paste.

 

Hawayij: Yemenite spice combination made of black pepper, caraway seeds, saffron and cardamom.

 

Hummus: A spread made of chickpeas, typically eaten as an appetizer with pita bread.

 

Irit: Chives.

 

Jachnun: Yemenite pastry.

 

Kaf: Tablespoon.

 

Kafe': Coffee.

 

Kapit: Teaspoon.

 

Kebab: Minced meat, grilled on a skewer.

 

Kinuach: Dessert.

 

Kerach: Ice.

 

Kreplach: Jewish version of wonton or ravioli. Simple dough stuffed with a mixture of ground meat (usually liver and onions). It is s either as a side dish, or floating in chicken soup.

 

Kubbeh:  Fried Iraqi fritters made from bulgur and semolina, usually filled with meat, onions and pine nuts.

 

Labaneh: Sour-tasting spread made from yogurt or goat’s milk,(sometimes served as round balls as well). Usually eaten as an appetizer.

 

Latke: Crispy potato pancake fried in oil. Typically served for Hanukkah.

 

Lechem: Bread.

 

Ma'im: Water.

 

Malawach: Yemenite type of bread.

 

Mana Acharona: Dessert.

 

Mana Ikarit: Main Course.

 

Marak: Soup.

 

Marvah: Sage.

 

Mazleg: Fork.

 

Melach: Salt.

 

Meltzar: Waiter.

 

Menta: Spearmint.

 

Mis’ada: Restaurant.

 

Mitz Tapuzim: Orange Juice.

 

Nana: Peppermint.

 

Petrosilia: Parsley.

 

Pita: Round pocket bread.

 

Rosemarine: Rosemary.

 

Shakshuka: Dish made mainly from tomatos and eggs. Typically a breakfast dish.

 

Salat: Salad.

 

Sabich: Fast food dish, eaten in pita bread, consisting of hummus, eggplant, potato, hard-boiled

egg, and salad.

 

Schwarma: Rotisserie grilled meat.

 

Shamir: Dill.

 

Shipudiayh: Grill restaurant.

 

Shumar: Fennel.

 

Sufganiot: Israeli donuts typically eaten on Hanukkah.

 

Sukar: Sugar.

 

Sumac: Cherry red spice used for its sour taste, is often mixed with Za’atar.

 

Tabbouleh: (also spelled: Tabouli) Cracked wheat salad typically made with parsley, tomatoes, cucumber, and mint.

 

Tafrit: Menu.

 

Tahina: (also spelled Tahini) Sesame paste, usually eaten with hummus or falafel, but can be eaten on its own as well.

 

Timin: (also known as Koranit) Thyme.

 

Tzalachat: Plate.

 

Yayin Adom: Red Wine.

 

Yayin Lavan: White Wine.

 

Za’atar: Mixture of hyssop, thyme leaves and sesame seeds, used in salads, with Labaneh etc.

 

Zhug: Hot Yemenite mixture made from fresh parsley, coriander and chili peppers as well as garlic, salt, pepper and cardamom.

 

 

Contact Us Today!


+1-800-901-0228

(Direct to Israel)

 

Print | Sitemap
© GemsinIsrael.com - 1999-2022