Pacific Kosher Express Proves Baking Prowess in Woodland Hills

Pacific Kosher Express in Woodland Hills builds on the success of twin concepts in North Hollywood and serves baked items and sandwiches with creative flair.

Woodland Hills is a hotbed for Israeli cuisine, and despite its small stature, Pacific Kosher Express is a standout. Chef-owner Moran Ajrosh also runs two restaurants in North Hollywood. Pacific Kosher Pizza is devoted to dairy, and Pacific Kosher Grill focuses on meat (since never the two shall meet in Kosher cooking).

There is no meat on the menu at Pacific Kosher Express, but it does offer three types of fish: salmon, tilapia and tuna. Moran’s baking prowess is on display in dishes like Malawach Roll ($13.99). She takes the flaky, butter-layered Yemeni flatbread and stuffs it with green olives, white button mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, corn, hard-boiled egg and melted mozzarella. The savory packet is served with grated tomato dip, pickled cucumbers, green olives and nutty tahini sauce.

Sandwiches come on house-baked bread. Sabich is a classic Israeli combo of fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg and pickles lavished with tahini. The idea of a shakshuka sandwich is even more interesting, based on the popular skillet starring eggs poached in spicy tomato sauce. At Pacific Kosher Express, three eggs arrive between bread, bathed in sauce crafted with onions, garlic, jalapeño and bell pepper served inside your choice of bread with hummus.

Jerusalem bagel, a longer cousin to the New York-style bagel that’s sesame-studded—but not boiled—is available in white or whole wheat. Sliced bagels serve as vehicles for combos like “Pacific,” a blend of pesto, punchy garlic sauce, mozzarella, feta, tomatoes and Kalamata olives. You can also build your own Jerusalem bagel from a list of fillings.

Savory, sesame-studded focaccia contains central pools of fillings. Spinach is a popular choice, combining fresh spinach, mushrooms, mozzarella, feta and rich Alfredo sauce.

Case of bourekas, flaky savory pastries ($1 each), are available folded with mushrooms and pizza toppings. Their sesame-coated spinach boureka was rich and buttery, blended with feta and mozzarella.

19907 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-564-4385