Kosher style facts for kids
Kosher style describes foods that look and taste like traditional Jewish dishes, but they might not follow all the strict kosher rules. It's more about the style of food than the actual religious laws called kashrut.
Generally, kosher-style food avoids certain meats like pig or shellfish. It also usually doesn't mix meat and milk in the same dish. However, if meat is included, it might not have been prepared according to kosher slaughter rules. In some places, using the term "kosher style" in ads is against the law because it can be misleading.
Some Jewish people who don't follow all kosher laws still prefer "kosher style" foods. This means they usually avoid forbidden animals and don't mix milk and meat.
What is Kosher Style Food?
The term "kosher style" was first used by Nathan Handwerker, who started Nathan's Famous hot dogs. His hot dogs were made from beef, not pork or horsemeat. But they weren't officially kosher because they didn't have rabbinic supervision. So, he called them "kosher style" to show they were similar to kosher foods.
Kosher Style vs. Kosher Law
When a restaurant calls itself "kosher style," its food is almost always not truly kosher according to traditional Jewish law (called halakhic standards). For example, a Reuben sandwich has both meat and cheese, which is not kosher. The same goes for a Monte Cristo sandwich with ham and cheese.
Restaurants might also serve dairy desserts like cheesecake after a meat meal. This is also not allowed in kosher cooking. However, fish is considered pareve (neither meat nor dairy). So, lox on a bagel with cream cheese could be kosher if the lox itself meets kosher requirements.
Jewish people who strictly follow the laws of kashrut will not eat at kosher-style places. These places can sometimes confuse visitors looking for truly kosher food. Also, some kosher-style restaurants are open on the Jewish Sabbath, which is forbidden by Jewish law.
Where to Find Kosher Style Food
Many delicatessens, often called "delis," serve kosher-style food. These places usually offer traditional Ashkenazic Jewish dishes.
Some popular kosher-style foods include:
- Chopped liver
- Bagels with cream cheese and lox
- Smoked sable and whitefish salad
- Gefilte fish
- Knishes and latkes
- Blintzes and cabbage rolls
- Egg cream
- Matzo ball soup
- Borscht
- Kasha varnishkes
- Stuffed derma
- P'tcha
- Cholent and kugel
- Pickles and sauerkraut
- Cold cut sandwiches, especially pastrami, corned beef, brisket, and beef tongue
Some kosher-style delis also serve foods from Sephardi and Mizrahi traditions. These might include:
Famous kosher-style restaurants include Katz's Delicatessen and Russ & Daughters in Lower Manhattan, New York. Canter's restaurant in Los Angeles and Montreal's Schwartz's deli are also well-known.
In some cities like Toronto, some kosher-style restaurants now serve pork products like bacon or ham. This is done to attract more customers. Some hot dog places, such as Max's Famous Hotdogs and The Windmill, also offer both pork and beef hot dogs.
