All of the food you’ve seen (and then daydreamed about) in this blog so far have been spots around Los Angeles County, which has an endless supply of kosher places and delis. It could honestly take a lifetime to eat through all of them – especially if I also take the time to write about them after. 

But I recently traveled to London and decided I’d be on the lookout for a place to show all of you. And wouldn’t you know – I found an incredible spot in the Borough Market, a vibrant and eclectic food market full of unique street food and delicious groceries (like homemade sausage, cheese, and bread). 

Within the Borough Market is a place called Shuk, which actually means “street market” in Hebrew – you may remember our Shuk activities in Minecraft. The owners of Shuk have attempted to recreate their memories of “family, pita, spices, and tahini” with the food they serve now, including some of the best pita I’ve had in quite some time and lamb meatballs that use a family recipe. 

On their website, the About Me states: “We can’t wait to share our love.” 

And that’s honestly exactly what the experience was like for me when I went to Shuk at the Borough Market. I initially walked up because I saw the words “Tel Aviv market food” written across the top of the stall. But it was the carefully hand-crafted menu and kindness of the people behind the booth that really made Shuk stand out amongst all other competitors in the bustling marketplace setting. 

I knew exactly what I wanted immediately. Under the “hot pita sandwich” category I saw a slow-cooked brisket option that sounded perfect for me. I was worried it wouldn’t be able to compete with Jeff’s Gourmet Sausage Factory, which had some of the best beef brisket ever, but it seemed like a place that could hang. Here is what was included: 

• Slow-cooked beef brisket
• Smokey mayo
• Melted red Leicester cheese 
• Baby gem
• Pickled red onions

I told them to hold the cheese (I’m not a cheese person, sorry) but the rest sounded irresistible. I’m a fan of flavored mayo, especially spicy and chipotle styles, although it’s most definitely not kosher here at Shuk. I mean cheese and meat? Come on. 

But I wasn’t in London to be kosher. 

The menu also featured some delicious alternative options including the lamb meatballs, the shuk sabich (I’m a sucker for eggs), the roasted chicken shawarma (sorry Izzy, no fries), and even some maccabee beer. 

After ordering, my mom and I sat down at seats on the side of the stall. Here I had a really good view of what was going on behind the counter, watching the cook warm up the pita, slather on the mayo, and then stuff the pita insanely full of meat and veggies. I’ve never seen a pita expand so far in my life. It was a fun experience while waiting for the food, although it did make me hungrier and hungrier the more food I saw. 

Then the moment finally arrived. We had the pita cut in half so we could both enjoy our own piece of the dish. And half of this pita was MORE than enough food. Although I could have eaten more just because of how delicious it was. 

The veggie mix was insanely addictive, the perfect amount of sauce blended in. It provided a satisfying crunch and was mixed with pops of flavor that elevated the entire experience. The mayo was subtle but added a great layer of street-style goodness. The brisket was tender and bursting with spices. It was unlike any brisket I’ve had before, with a kebab-like texture and exciting flavors in each bite that contrasted with the veggie mix in a dramatic fashion. The pita was soft, warm, and tasted fresh. It was the perfect way to envelope all of this goodness and bring it to the next level. 

This was probably one of the best meals I had in London and a memorable eating experience I’ll never forget. 

Review By the Numbers: 

Ambiance – 9/10

This was a great location thanks to the eclectic and culturally diverse setting of the Borough Market. We were surrounded by bustling crowds of people carrying Indian food, Japanese BBQ, and fresh fruit. Shuk itself had a simple yet fun style that gave it its own identity within the food market. And getting to eat right at the stall while watching the magic happen was pretty awesome. 

Taste – 8/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this sandwich, from the heavily seasoned meat to the warm pita. It was most definitely a great spin on a classic Tel Aviv street food that left me wanting more. All of the flavors were distinct yet worked perfectly well together, creating a satisfying meal within each bite. 

Portions & Prices – 6/10

You’re never going to get the best deal at a food truck or food vendor. For being at a food market, however, I found the prices to be quite reasonable. Still, you could get this sandwich with a side and a drink at most restaurants for the same price. But again, nobody goes to a food market thinking they’re going to find a bargain. 

Mom’s half – 9/10

“I thought it was a really great blend of ingredients and it tasted similar to a stew. Maybe too much mayo.” 

Experience – 10/10

This was an incredible experience like no other, one that I’ll remember for a lifetime. Being at the Borough Market was in itself one of my favorite activities in London, being someone obsessed with food and all. It was one of the most colorful and beautiful food markets I’ve been to with a great mix of dishes to try and fresh produce to purchase. Shuk was a stand-out booth for me as well, incredibly rich and delicious but also a great and friendly environment. 

TOTAL SCORE: 8.4