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Get to Know Just Why “Jachnun” is Israel’s Weirdest Food!

If you ever heard of some of the weirdest food combinations from all across the world, such as snake wine, fried pork blood, and crunchy tarantula legs to munch on, you’ll be relieved. Israel has not many bizarre foods to offer – we don’t bake insects or pickle reptiles over here. The weirdest food we have to offer is a Yemenite specialty, Jachnun, which might be odd looking, it’s so tasty, it’s addictive…

WATCH >>> The Most Bizarre Food in Tel Aviv : Jachnun / ג’חנון

Owner and heart of the business, Johnny is a local hero in the Kerem Hatemaneem, the Yemenite Quarter of Tel Aviv. For a traditional Yemenite Saturday brunch experience visit the foodie hot-spot while in Tel Aviv – and don’t miss out on the morning cocktail, the freshly squeezed orange juice pimped up with a bit of arak, the traditional anise spirit of Israel.

Jachnun is a Yemenite Jewish pastry traditionally served on Shabbat morning. It is prepared from a dough rolled out very thinly, brushed with margarine, and rolled up into a dough stick. Throughout the overnight cooking, it turns amber brown color and gets its signature, slightly sweet taste that gives us, even more, reasons to call it the weirdest food in Israel. The crushed tomato salsa is a must, some eat it with hard boiled egg, while chili-lovers enjoy a splash of “schug”, a super-spicy sauce. If it’s not confusing enough, the dough of the Jachnun is the very same as the one used for malawach. What the heck is that?

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Malawach is also a runner-up in the competition for the weirdest food in Israel – it’s kind of a thick pancake, built op thin layers of puff pastry brushed with oil, fried in a flat pan. Just as it’s brother, Jachnun, this one is also served with boiled eggs, spicy sauce, and grated tomato dip – but it can also serve as a dessert and eaten with honey. Both of these delish breakfast bites became popular Israel-wide with the immigration of  Yemenite Jews to Israel, and it has soon become a favorite comfort food for all Israelis, regardless of not having Yemenite background whatsoever. By now, frozen malawah and Jachnun can be found in every supermarket. To introduce you to the weirdest food in Israel we are guiding you to our favorite weekend-only eatery, Boobah, or Buba.

Address: Beit Yosef St 23, Tel Aviv, Israel. Follow us on Instagram as @seanrent_unlocktelaviv for daily updates, and join our growing FB group to discuss TLV matters with dozens of locals and travelers from the cultural and culinary capital of Israel.

 



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