While hummus, falafel and shawarma are known around the globe, my favorite Israeli street food, Sabich, remains the country's best-kept secret.
What is sabich, you ask? A pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, tahini, Israeli salad, amba (a spicy pickled mango paste), onions and parsley. This cuisine has become a popular Israeli fast-food item in recent years, turning into a strong rival of falafel, the ultimate Israeli street food. Sabich was invented by Iraqi Jews who fled anti-Semitic violence in the 1940s and 1950s. it isn't just about the combination of specific ingredients, it is also about how it is constructed, which is an art form only few truly master.
WHERE TO GET IT:
Sabich Tchernichovsky (Tchernichovsky 2, Tel Aviv) is a hole-in-the-wall joint where you will find the employees taking their time to carefully construct each and every sabich to perfection. The eggplant is thin and crispy which combines well with the creaminess of the boiled egg.
