So here are some tips on eating in Israel from a tourists’ point of view.
1. You cannot find pork… or shrimp
Yes, something is missing. Maybe it won’t be apparent at first, but after a few days in Israel, you will realize…. how come there’s no bacon? No sausage? No shrimp?? That’s because Jewish people eat Kosher food. These things are not considered kosher. So bye-bye pork!
If you aren’t going to spend a long time in Israel, it is fine to live without pork for some days. The real issue in Israel for most travelers is the expensive dining costs in Israel I think. But actually, there are non-kosher restaurants. Uri Buri in Akko is one of them.
2. You cannot find cheese on meat
Well, there is another thing about Kosher. Cheese and meat cannot appear in the same meal. Why? Anything made from dairy milk should be separated from the meat. So if you take a bite of yogurt and then a bite of meat, you mix these foods in your stomach, and it violates kosher law. (After having meat, you cannot have dairy product for a minimum of 6 hours!)
That is why in many restaurants, you don’t even see poultry items on menus! You only see dishes made from eggs and fish on menus, because they are considered ‘parve’.
I think this is the rule that makes it so difficult for non-kosher diners. I want cheese on my pizza and burger. But nope, not happening in Israel! (Unless you make your own food)
3. This thing called Shabbat
Kosher restaurants are supposed to close on Shabbat (Friday afternoon till Saturday evening). Some will reopen on Saturday night, but most restaurants will remain closed.
Go to an Arab restaurant, it will remain open.
4. Quantity
The serving size in Israel is usually not small. If you have lunch outside, I think you can skip a meal or simply go for hummus. You don’t eat that much every meal! From experience, 2 girls can share 1 meal, or a normal pita bread sandwich (20NIS) can fill a girl up! So don’t try to order a lot. You will know what it is like once you get there. (Or read my experience at Kukiza, and see how much food I had to leave on my plate!)
5. Paying in Dollars
Yes, you can pay in dollars!!
6. Giving 10-15% Tips
If you don’t leave any tip, it means you are not happy with the service. A service fee is not added to the bill yet. And it’s quite relaxing, 10%-15% is the same. For example, your bill comes to be 140NIS, so should you tip 10% = 154NIS or 15% =161NIS? Actually, 150NIS is fine! It looks better if you are giving a rounded number too.
These are the tips that I can think of for now…
