9 Favorite Tastes of Hanukkah in Machane Yehuda Market

Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel,

can be celebrated in so many ways,

but one universal favorite is a visit to

the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Walking to the shuk through the Nachlaot neighborhood

Nahlaot street with graffiti

is not always easy, as short cuts can be blocked off.

Truck in Jerusalem street

Construction seems to be going on everywhere.

Machena Yehuda market

Even walking is not so simple on the narrow roads.

Often we joke that Jerusalem streets were built for donkeys.

These days maybe,

Nachlaot motorcycle sign

 they are better suited for flying motorcycles.

But if you persist and keep going,

Multi colored cheeses in machane yehuda market

where else will you find kosher cheese,

so colorful and flavorful?

For a Hanukkah dairy holiday treat,

Machane yehuda market cheese made with wine

 try this wine cheese, it was terrific.

Wine in cheese,

Wine kosher from Arab winery machane yehuda market

but of course, wine is for celebrating.

The varieties found in the shuk astound every time,

Variety of olives in machane yehuda market

amazing varieties of olives,

machane yehuda market selection of olive oils for hanukah

plus those olive oils!

Some are special for use in Hanukkah menorahs,

to use instead of candles for the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Halva, huge blocks of halva,

varieties of halva in machane yehuda market

where else will you find Hot Chilli halva,

Machine to make halva in machane yehuda market

and see the machine that makes it.

Solomon Sousa painted shutter in Machane Yehuda Market

Some of the shutters of shops come down at night,

but then the partying begins.

BeerBazaar in shuk

Beer tasting, so many flavors of beer,

Machane Yehuda Market beer Bazaar back room

this warm party room in back is becoming

a new “hot” spot on the cold winter nights.

Too much food and drink, and the new

Machane Yehuda Market pay bathrooms, restroom for 3 shekel

 “fresh up shop” pay toilets could come in handy.

Always merchandise to purchase,

Hanukiot in Machane Yehuda Market

but for Hanukkah the menorahs are displayed outside.

A walk through the shuk

is always good for photo ops,

Rimonim in Machane Yehuda Market

with ripe pomegranates,

and my Hanukkah favorite,

the fresh strawberry season has started.

Night is coming at shuk, Machane Yehuda market

Machane Yehuda Market is changing daily,

and if you have not been in awhile, it is a must see.

A Hanukkah tasting tour would not be complete,

Donuts for Hanukkah suffgania

without suffganiot,

those donuts filled with fruit jam

or dozens of other flavors.

I am saving up Hanukiot, my favorite Hanukkah menorahs,

for a special post next week.

Meanwhile, enjoy this new sound and light projection

on the walls of Old City outside of

 Jaffa Gate and up from Mamilla Mall.

חנוכה שמח

Happy Hanukkah

UPDATED last night of Hanukkah:

Kosher Cheese store in Machane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Israel

I received comments about cheese and other shops,

in the shuk, questions about kosher supervision.

The piece of paper attached to the wall, at the top of this photo,

is a valid kosher certificate.

Sadly, not all the shops have proper supervision.

The staff at this one is happy to offer you a taste.

7 thoughts on “9 Favorite Tastes of Hanukkah in Machane Yehuda Market

  • December 29, 2016 at 12:05 am
    Permalink

    Sharon, I look forward to the RJS each week but this week was just amazing. The shuk is one of my favorite places and I just loved the photos. The strawberries were amazing and the rimonim were mouthwatering. The sound and light show blew me away. Almost like being there, but not quite, realizing what we are missing. Chanukah sameach and best regards.
    Toba

    Reply
    • December 29, 2016 at 4:36 am
      Permalink

      Thank you. Feel free to share and hope to see you on your next visit!

      Reply
  • December 29, 2016 at 9:02 am
    Permalink

    Another great post. However, are you sure the cheeses are indeed kosher? There are places in Machane Yehuda which have, shall we say, misleading signs implying kashrut where some of the wares are less than kosher. I am not saying this is one of them but folks, please be on your guard.

    Reply
    • December 29, 2016 at 12:34 pm
      Permalink

      Yes, and this new store is mehadrin too. Chanukah sameach.

      Reply
  • December 29, 2016 at 6:02 pm
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    Hi:
    As always, thanks for the great pictures and photo-journalism. I have often heard about the possibility of taking a tasting tour of the shuk but never knew of mehadrin sensitive guide who ran such tours. Who is the gentlemen featured in the pictures wearing an I.D.? Is he a guide? Does he do shuk tours?
    Avid Fan

    Reply
    • December 29, 2016 at 6:17 pm
      Permalink

      Yes Asher Altshul is a professional tour guide. I will email you his contact information.

      Reply
    • December 29, 2016 at 6:18 pm
      Permalink

      And thank you, so glad you like the photo essays.

      Reply

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