Falafel – The Heartwarming Journey Behind Wellington’s Shouk
After a 25-year-long career in the IT industry, including 9 years at Xero, Ilan found himself gravitating towards a completely different sphere – cooking. This passion was kindled while he prepared wholesome homemade meals for his family, instilling in them the same love for food that was deeply woven into his roots. Drawing from a wide range of food and cooking styles, Ilan endeavoured to provide the real taste of Israeli street food cuisine.
When Ilan relocated to Wellington with his wife Shavit and their children, the flavours of his Israeli homeland came calling. He dreamed of introducing Wellingtonians to the deliciously healthy Israeli dishes from his home country.
After months of perfecting falafel, fluffy pita and other traditional recipes, Shouk was born. Ilan aimed to recreate the authentic street food of Israel with locally sourced ingredients.
The travelling food truck serves up favourites like falafel, chicken shawarma meat synia and shakshuka.
Ilan takes immense pride in hand-crafting each artisanal dish, striving to bring people joy with every bite. His values shine through in Shouk’s warm, friendly kitchen, where calm and kindness reign.
At its heart, Shouk is fuelled by the deep satisfaction Ilan derives from serving delectable food that brings smiles to everyone’s faces. Aiding Ilan in his endeavour is his wife, Shavit, and their inspiring daughter, Hagar. With their collective efforts, underpinned by the family’s strong values, their truck quickly amassed a loyal fanbase, allured by the exceptional service and mouthwatering flavours it offered.
Faithful to tradition, Shouk enlivens its menu with locally sourced produce and spices. Standing out on the menu is Ilan’s falafel, which has quickly become an Israeli staple for the locals. The growing popularity of Shakshuka is a testament to Ilan’s success in gradually introducing Wellingtonians to lesser-known dishes.
Guided by his heart and powered by his food, Ilan brings people together one mouthwatering bite at a time. Shouk has quickly become a Wellington institution, sharing the warmth of Ilan’s kitchen with everyone in the city he now calls home.