I found Kukiza Resturant by chance, becaus it’s the closest restaurant to where I stayed. Kukiza is a place where you can have Libyan or Iraqi Jewish homemade food. I liked the ambiance!
I checked their review online before going inside, it’s rated 4.6/5 on Google Maps, so I went inside. And by the massive serving size, yes, I can feel the love of a Jewish grandmother. I recommend coming here for lunch!
Location
Kukiza is on Ben Yehuda Street (the son of Judah), this is the extended road of Allenby Street. It’s super close to the previous American Embassy.
It’s a diner type restaurant. They boast for Home Made Israeli Food~ It sounds just so perfect! I want to know what homemade Israeli food tastes like!
When we arrived at 12:30, there was no one here. But after we ordered, the place quickly filled up! Looks like it is a popular place for locals and tourists alike.
It’s hard to miss this diner because it’s built on sidewalk… legally, hopefully.
It’s funny that you are looking at sidewalk from the window.
The waiter had his background from Baghdad and Libya. His parents met in Israel and he is a Sabra (a Jew born in Israel). This is his parents, in this tiny wedding photo on the wall of this restaurant. 
The other side of the wall tells the story of the chef’s family. His parents were also Libyan and Iraqi Jew. Lots of family history!
The Menu (Business Lunch Available!)
This is the menu from February 2018. Business lunch is available from Sunday to Thursday, 12:00-16:00 (Not Monday to Friday!) The price range is ₪49-69, that is $14-$19 so it’s a very good deal! ～
- ₪49：Starter, meatball, a drink
- ₪59：Starter, Grilled Chicken/Schnitzel Chicken, a drink
- ₪69：Starter, Fish Dish/Grilled Pullet/Beef Tagine, a drink
For the drink, of course I got “Mint Lemonade” ! The taste of mint is very unique in the Middle East. I love the taste here!
The other side of the menu. Typical prices. Salad ₪52-68, appetizers from ₪19, desserts from ₪8…. slightly cheaper than Jerusalem. If you miss your chance for business lunch, then normal deal starts from ₪129, including dessert. Or you can try tasting menu, it’s 2 for ₪349.
For starter, this is Iraqi Jewish’s Kubbeh Soup , normal price is ₪34
You can taste the sorrow and difficulties Jewish people went through from this soup. How? Well, I think the balls were made from coarse grain. We’ve bee used to fine flour, so this is very unique. Although, if you don’t eat lamb, the filling is minced beef mixed with lamb.
Another starter, Grilled Eggplant and Tahini , normal price is ₪28. Just like Kubbeh soup, you don’t need to have a main dish, if you are a small eater.
And this was my awkward moment when the waiter brought me my Schnitzel Chicken, normal price was ₪46. My jaw dropped. 3 pieces of chicken? Seriously? How was I supposed to finish this whole plate? Hahaha! It feels like a Jewish grandmother is like a Chinese grandmother, same thing, “You need to eat more, you look too weak.”
This was the tastiest Schnitzel I ever had!
For side dish I chose couscous. I like the richness of flavor in it.
And this was the moment when I could not take one more bite. The serving size was insane!!
The other main dish we chose Fish Meatballs – Spicy, normal price was ₪52. This is a little bit different from the fish meatballs in Chinese Cuisine. That’s why traveling is so much fun! You always learn something new!
But… don’t choose rice. This is not the typical rice we have in Asia. It tasted bland. If you are from Eastern Asia, you know how rice has its own taste and it’s never bland right? But according to the friendly waiter, “You overcook your rice in Asia”! Well, everyone has his own preference, I like couscous!
Mint Lemonade, normally ₪14, this was so minty! I love this drink! You only get this type of mint in the Middle East!
Final Verdict
One of the best places I have been to Israel with such as great deal! For ₪50-₪70 you get a 2-course meal plus a drink! The waiter was a very friendly person. If you are 2 persons, I think you can share 1 business lunch because the serving size is too much.
