The Best and Worst of Jewish Foods

*According to Kyle Basarab*

BEST

Matzoh Ball soup

I’m sure no one is surprised that this fan favorite made this list. Whether it is your grandmother’s homemade recipe, or your favorite diner or deli’s concoction, a steaming bowl of matzoh ball soup never fails to warm you up and enhance your meal. (Photocredits @Jewishfood)

Brisket

If you’re like me, the smell of this meal probably has you drooling. Eating brisket on Rosh Hashana is the equivalent to eating turkey on thanksgiving. A meal without brisket on a jewish holiday is definitely incomplete.

Latkes

These fried potato pancakes may even be more essential to Chanukah than… presents (cue gasp). I know that sounds crazy, but could you imagine not eating latkes around the candle light from the menorah at dinner? If you’re craving one of these crispy, greasy pancakes when it starts getting colder out, make sure to stop by Latkepallooza! (Photocredits @vegantrender)

Bagels

Oy gevalt, where do I even start??? Is it even a Sunday morning if you are not eating a full on bagel brunch, complete with spreads of lox, cream cheese, whitefish salad, etc., all from your favorite bagel place. I know everyone likes bagels, not just the Jews, but let me just say this: if you willingly eat bagels from ShopRite or Dunkin’ Donuts, you’re probably not Jewish.

Honorable mention to the bagel’s cousin: the bialy.

Challah

Probably the most notable and universally liked jewish foods. I mean, what is there to not like about it? It’s bread! You can buy it at shoprite, make it at home, and depending on how Jewish your area is, they’ll give it out at your diner or deli. If you ever are craving some yummy challah at school, you can stop by challah for hunger at Hillel and make it yourself, customized with chocolate chips, raisins, cinnamon, or sprinkles!

WORST

Sufganiyot

The name of this food sounds a lot more complicated than what it actually is. It’s literally a jelly donut. That’s all. If it’s not Chanukah time, and you’re in the mood for some sufganiyot, just stop by Dunkin!

Chopped liver

I’m going to be honest; I’ve never eaten chopped liver. With that being said, it sounds horrible. If I walk into my grandparent’s house, and say hello to my grandpa and not my grandma, she will yell, “What am I, chopped liver?”

Gefilte fish

On my flight to Israel, I sat next to a man who was in the gefilte fish distribution business. When I asked him what the business was like, he replied “very, very smelly.” Most people will eat gefilte fish at a jewish holiday, because that is tradition, but I don’t know one person who enjoys it.