The Big Apple is famously the world’s biggest melting pot, both of people and cuisines. But there’s one that reaches its pinnacle in New York City, a kind of cookery that you should make a point of sampling, whether you visit on holiday or business: Ashkenazi, a.k.a. European Jewish cuisine. Full disclosure: I have no yiddishe mama, but my years as a New Yorker were still filled with knishes, bialys, bagels with a “schmear” (of cream cheese) or lox, pastrami on rye bread, matzo ball soup, and so on. It comes with the territory!

So before we get to some of the top spots to ess (eat), here’s a quick rundown of the top most distinctive Jewish food items you’ll come across...

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