Super Hamizrach: A Secret Kosher Asian Restaurant in Jerusalem's Baka District
Asian Restaurant in Jerusalem, Israel ✈
Super Hamizrach is a kosher Asian restaurant located at Derech Beit Lechem 34 in Jerusalem, Israel, which is a street that runs through the Baka neighborhood. The area has a mix of old and new, with residential buildings, shops, and a growing number of trendy cafes and restaurants. It’s a place that feels both residential and commercial, with a quiet charm.
The restaurant itself has an unusual concept: at first glance, it looked like an Asian supermarket. When I entered the front door, I was surrounded by shelves stocked with various Asian products. It felt almost like I was stepping into a corner of Tokyo or Bangkok. But here’s the twist—behind a secret door, the supermarket facade opens into a full-fledged Asian restaurant. This design approach added a sense of discovery and made it feel like I was entering a hidden dining experience.
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“Super Hamizrach, perfectly located in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem, brings a unique concept to Jerusalem’s dining scene. The combination of an Asian supermarket facade with a hidden restaurant, along with its focus on kosher Asian cuisine, makes it a noteworthy spot in the Baka neighborhood.”
Super Hamizrach opened with the idea of bringing authentic kosher Asian cuisine to Jerusalem, a city with a growing appetite for diverse culinary experiences. The restaurant has managed to capture the spirit of traditional Asian eateries while adhering to kosher dietary rules, which is a delicate balance.
The interior of the restaurant is sleek and modern, with Asian-inspired elements throughout. The bar is well-stocked and offers a variety of Asian-inspired cocktails and drinks. The ambiance is relaxed yet lively, perfect for both casual dining and a night out.
The menu features a range of Asian dishes from sushi and ramen to stir-fries and curries. The restaurant specializes in presenting kosher versions of traditional Asian dishes, without compromising on flavor. The sushi is fresh, and the ramen has a rich broth. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
For starters, options include items like Sum Tam (a papaya salad), Nam Pla Salad with fish or fried fish, and a variety of sashimi and carpaccio dishes like tuna and sea bream. There are also bao buns, such as crunchy chicken or fish kebab, and a range of Robata grill items, including cabbage in charcoal, beef kebab, and caramelized entrecote.
The sushi selection features rolls like the Makto tuna roll, Mitoma spicy tuna, and Nakamura salmon teriyaki. There's also a mix of maki and nigiri, with fresh ingredients like avocado, red tuna, and salmon. Vegetarian options include Hiroki Sakai shiitake and Yuki goma sweet potato.
Main courses cover a wide spectrum, from poke bowls with sushi rice to Pad Thai, ramen soups, and beef burgers. The menu also offers various fish and meat dishes, including caramelized sea fish, beef burger in charcoal oven, and stir-fried Khao pad.
For children, there's a selection of sushi, noodles, and chicken dishes, while desserts range from coconut panna cotta to banana ice cream with crumble and caramelized banana. The menu also includes specialty drinks and sides, completing a comprehensive Asian dining experience.
Kosher Asian cuisine in Israel is an exciting and growing niche in the country’s diverse culinary landscape. As Israel is home to a large Jewish population, many restaurants must follow kosher dietary laws, which prohibit mixing meat and dairy and require certain preparation techniques for foods like fish and meat. Despite these restrictions, there has been an increasing demand for authentic international cuisines, including Asian food, and many restaurants have risen to the challenge of adapting Asian dishes to meet kosher standards.
Asian cuisine, with its focus on rice, vegetables, fish, and various meats, can be adapted to kosher rules with some adjustments. For instance, in kosher sushi, non-kosher seafood like shellfish is omitted, and kosher fish (those with fins and scales) are used instead. Additionally, kosher restaurants must ensure that their sauces, such as soy sauce and miso, comply with kosher certification. Meat dishes are typically prepared without dairy, so dishes like curry or ramen, which might traditionally use dairy-based ingredients, are made with coconut milk or other kosher substitutes.
Kosher Asian restaurants in Israel often draw from a range of Asian culinary traditions, including Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisines. Common dishes include sushi, stir-fries, ramen, and bao buns, all crafted with kosher ingredients. Restaurants like Super Hamizrach in Jerusalem and other similar spots in Tel Aviv and across the country aim to bring authentic Asian flavors to the kosher-keeping population.
While kosher Asian cuisine is not as widespread as Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food in Israel, its popularity is steadily growing, especially in urban areas like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where there’s a higher demand for diverse, global dining experiences. Many Asian restaurants have found success by creating kosher versions of popular dishes, catering to locals and tourists alike who seek both authenticity and adherence to dietary laws. This niche market continues to expand as more people embrace the fusion of kosher and Asian flavors.
Before or after you visit the restaurant, be sure to take some time to explore the Baka neighborhood. Baka, originally established in the late 19th century, was historically a mixed area with Arab and Jewish residents. Today, Baka has a distinctively relaxed and residential atmosphere while being home to a variety of cafes, shops, and restaurants. It’s an area that balances modern urban living with a strong sense of community.
Architecturally, Baka features a blend of old stone houses, some of which date back to the Ottoman period, alongside newer, more modern buildings. Many of these older homes have been restored, retaining their unique character while catering to modern tastes. The wide streets and green spaces give it a spacious, laid-back vibe, and it is popular with families, young professionals, and international residents.
Baka’s location is ideal for those who enjoy proximity to both the city center and the quieter residential feel. It borders the German Colony, another popular neighborhood, and is close to the popular shopping and dining options on Emek Refa’im Street. It’s also within walking distance of the Old City and other historic sites, making it convenient for exploring the city while living in a quieter part of Jerusalem.
Super Hamizrach, perfectly located in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem, brings a unique concept to Jerusalem’s dining scene. The combination of an Asian supermarket facade with a hidden restaurant, along with its focus on kosher Asian cuisine, makes it a noteworthy spot in the Baka neighborhood.
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