Chef Nguyen Manh Hung (Hungazit) and Chef Nir Leave (Israel).

The chefs from two countries came together to create Vietnamese-style Pita bread during an exchange in Hanoi at the end of 2022. Chef Nir Leave explained that although pita bread may seem simple, it has a special quality as it is a staple in Israeli cuisine, combined with Vietnamese ingredients.

The process involved kneading the dough, letting it rise with yeast and sugar, then adding a pinch of salt. Next, these mixtures were combined. While waiting for the dough, they prepared the filling consisting of chicken, chicken liver, and chicken hearts finely chopped. In Israel, due to budget constraints 50 years ago, people often used chicken as it was more affordable than expensive cuts of meat like beef. Beef has now become a central ingredient in the dish.

To infuse a "Vietnamese flavor" into the Pita bread, the two chefs used finely chopped banana flowers and mint leaves along with the prepared meat for the filling. They also used a jar of Tahini, a sesame paste sauce mixed with lemon, to drizzle over the Pita bread.

In 2022, Chef Nguyen Manh Hung (Hungazit) visited Israel on a culinary cultural exploration. During his visit, he explored ancient cities like Jerusalem and vibrant, bustling modern cities like Tel Aviv. He praised Israel's Mediterranean climate, fresh air, and pure water, which provide excellent ingredients for delicious food.

"I visited many places, from local homes to famous markets and restaurants, and tried a wide range of dishes prepared using both traditional and modern methods. It might be a bit challenging for newcomers at first, but they will grow to love it within a few days, and the common feature is that the food is very healthy. Israelis use a lot of seafood, various grains, and strong spices in their cooking," shared Hung. He also mentioned that in the future, the governments of both countries should organize more cultural, artistic, and culinary exchange programs, as well as promote tourism between the two nations, to further enhance culinary exchanges and establish direct flight route from Vietnam to Israel.

In the same year, Chef Nir Leave came to Vietnam to participate in culinary exchange programs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as serving as the head chef of the logo launch for the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Israel diplomatic relations.

According to chef Nguyen Manh Hung, just as Vietnamese cuisine has dishes like spring rolls and fried spring rolls, Pita bread cooked in an Israeli pan can also be considered an exceptional dish. After baking, the bread is cut in half, opened up, and referred to as a "pocket."

"I have tried this approach for Vietnamese salads like beef salad with crab claws. It's truly a fusion of two very different culinary traditions, yet it has similarities," shared Hung.

Additionally, he emphasized that different culinary traditions can come together through various dishes and modern cooking techniques. "I tried skewered chicken with lime leaves from Vietnam, combined with Pita bread and Hummus, and it's delicious. It explodes in your mouth with each bite," he said.

Enjoying the Pita bread, Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer said, "I'm delighted to savor the blend of Israeli and Vietnamese cuisines at a restaurant in the heart of Hanoi. The flavors are wonderful, the weather is pleasant, and the people are friendly. I'm happy to have Israeli chefs here, as culinary exchange programs bring our two nations closer together."

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