Israeli Sabich (Fried Eggplant and Egg Pita Sandwich)
Pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, Israeli salad and amba mango sauce, an Iraqi-Jewish specialty.
About This Recipe
Israeli Sabich is a real, traditional Israeli dish, known as Fried Eggplant and Egg Pita Sandwich. Pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, Israeli salad and amba mango sauce, an Iraqi-Jewish specialty.\n\nSabich was brought to Israel by Iraqi Jewish immigrants in the 1950s, reportedly designed as a hearty Shabbat morning meal that used ingredients that could be prepared the night before, and it has since become one of Tel Aviv's most iconic street foods.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Israeli home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 2eggplants(sliced into rounds)
- 1 tspfine sea salt(for salting eggplant)
- 300 mlneutral oil(for frying)
- 4pita bread
- 4 tbsphummus
- 4hard-boiled eggs(sliced)
- 1tomato(diced)
- 1cucumber(diced)
- 3 tbspamba (pickled mango sauce)
- 3 tbsptahini sauce
- 2 tbspchopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- 1
Salt the eggplant
Salt the sliced eggplant and let sit in a colander for 20 minutes to draw out bitterness, then pat dry.
- 2
Fry the eggplant
Fry the eggplant slices in hot oil until deeply golden and soft, working in batches, then drain on paper towels.
- 3
Make the salad
Toss diced tomato and cucumber together for a simple Israeli salad.
- 4
Assemble the base
Open each pita and spread generously with hummus.
- 5
Layer
Fill each pita with fried eggplant, sliced hard-boiled egg, the tomato-cucumber salad and a drizzle of tahini.
- 6
Finish
Top with amba sauce and fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Did you make this?
Rate it and help other cooks find the recipes that actually work.
One tap to sign in, and we'll save the rating you just picked.
Everything you need to plan your week — free
- Meal calendar
- Grocery list
- AI recipe ideas
Track what you eat
Snap your meal to log calories and macros, run fasting timers and track water in the free SnapCal app.
Pro Tips
- →
Salt the eggplant and let it sit for the full 20 minutes — this step removes excess bitterness and moisture, resulting in creamier fried slices.
- →
Fry the eggplant until truly soft and deeply golden; undercooked eggplant stays spongy and unpleasant.
- →
Assemble the sandwich just before eating so the pita doesn't get soggy from the sauces.
Variations
- •
Add pickled turnips (a common Middle Eastern pickle) for extra tang and crunch.
- •
Some versions add a spoonful of harissa for extra heat.
- •
Use grilled instead of fried eggplant for a lighter version.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.
History & Origin
Sabich was brought to Israel by Iraqi Jewish immigrants in the 1950s, reportedly designed as a hearty Shabbat morning meal that used ingredients that could be prepared the night before, and it has since become one of Tel Aviv's most iconic street foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is amba and where can I find it?
Amba is a tangy, pickled mango sauce with Iraqi-Jewish origins; Middle Eastern grocery stores typically carry it, or it can be found online.
Can I make the components ahead?
Yes, fry the eggplant and boil the eggs a day ahead, storing separately, then assemble the sandwiches fresh.
Why is my eggplant soggy instead of crisp-edged?
It likely wasn't salted and drained first, or the oil wasn't hot enough — both steps help it fry up properly rather than absorbing excess oil.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (320g / 11.3 oz) · 4 servings total
Time Summary
Have Questions?
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →More Israeli Recipes
You Might Also Like
Similar dishes from other cuisines around the world.
Browse by Ingredient
More recipes built around the same core ingredients.
Free Kitchen Tools
Calculators and converters that pair with this page — no signup needed.
Put This Into a Plan
Schedule it, shop for it, and track what you already have.
Read Next
Longer reads that go deeper on the ideas behind this dish.
Community
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes