Sabich: Iraqi Sandwich with Eggplant and Egg


Sabich is a traditional Israeli sandwich made from eggplant, boiled egg, and various toppings and spices. The main ingredient of the sandwich is grilled or fried slices of eggplant, which are then placed into pita bread along with a boiled egg, tomato, cucumber, salad, and spices.

Sabich sandwich
Sabich sandwich

Sabich is a popular street food in Israel and is often served as a breakfast or lunch sandwich. It is known for its interesting combination of flavors, which includes the creamy and slightly nutty taste of tahini sauce, the crispy taste of vegetables, and the spicy and slightly smoky taste of grilled eggplant.

Sabich sandwich
Sabich sandwich

The origin of the sabich sandwich is unclear, but it is believed to have been invented by Iraqi Jews who immigrated to Israel in the 1950s and 1960s. The word “sabich” is derived from the Arabic word “sabek”, which means “morning”.

Sandwich preparation in a specialised bistro Aricha Sabich
Sandwich preparation in a specialised bistro Aricha Sabich

Sabich was my very first meal during my trip to Israel in 2022. I stopped for it at the kosher bistro Aricha Sabich, which specializes exclusively in this type of sandwich. The sabich here cost 23 shekels, which is about 6.40 EUR. A bonus was the very friendly service, which showed me everything about its production. It is possible to pay by card at the bistro.

If you haven’t tried sabich before, be sure to give it a try.

Bon appetit!

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