The Mahane Yehuda market is the largest in Jerusalem and, as many believe, the best food market in Israel. The locals call it simply SHUK (Hebrew for market) and believe that without visiting shouka tourist will see Jerusalem life.

The Mahane Yehuda market ("the Camp of Yehuda") was the name of the district outside the Old city formed in 1887. Yehuda – the name of the brother of one of the three partners, who built the area. Very quickly on a nearby vacant lot appeared natural market, which grew along with the new quarters. During the British mandate trade streamlined, built permanent shelves under the roof.

Now the market is located on two main streets, crossed by streets lined with lovely names – Peach, pear, Pecan... With the beginning of the twenty-first century, much has changed: there are cafes, night bars, restaurants, fashion shops (changes were initiated by the Board of Directors of the market after the terrorist attacks, which killed 23 people, the flow of visitors then temporarily dropped). Since 2010 there is an annual street festival of music and dance, attracting crowds of people walking around.

But the main thing remains the same: colorful space typical Oriental Bazaar, filled with sounds and smells. Colorful fruits and vegetables are pleasing to the eye; it smells of spices, fresh bread, coffee; sellers tout loudly buyers are traded all around, laughing, about shouting. First got here people might get confused.

Regulars suggest starting with a bakery "Marzipan" – she is on the street Agrippa the right of the entrance to the market. The famous marzipan bakery, and traditional Jewish pastries rugelach (this little croissant with a layer, soft and sweet). After eating several servings of rugelach (say, the most delicious – chocolate), tourist, diving to the territory of the market, can be taken with a fresh juice on the street Ha-Egoz. Here Yemeni Uzi Eli offers the juice from the original mixture of ingredients such as lemon, sugar cane and quince. On the same street in the cream Muslin, you can try another strange product – ice cream flavored with Basil and grapefruit at the same time.

After the tourist turns to the street Etz Ha-Haim and freezes for a long time in front of the counter with halva. It with all sorts of additives is a good idea to take some home as Souvenirs. Nearby, on the street Ha-Asif, cheese shop allowed to sample all of the cheeses. Step into the next lane – fresh fish, and here – olives near smoked herring, and homemade pickles, and nuts, and tea...

The Iraqi part of the market interesting to watch play backgammon the elderly. There is also the Georgian part, that the Russians are very fond of her. The market is multicultural – there are immigrants from Poland, Russia, France, Tunisia, Morocco and other countries, and most of the sellers family business rooted in history.

Before the close of the market vegetables and fruits (in the evening they are not fresh) is available to buy cheaply. But the biggest discounts on Friday, before Shabbos – SHUK closes on mandatory Sabbath rest.