Iconic Monka Bulgarian Grill in Jaffa Reopens Under Family Management with Original Menu

The legendary Monka Bulgarian Grill in Jaffa is set to reopen on August 4th after a period of closure and renovation. The restaurant will be managed by Michael Halfon, the third generation of the family connected to the establishment, being the grandson of the original chef and son of a longtime waiter. Halfon has taken over the restaurant with the goal of restoring its authentic flavors using his late grandfather's recipe book.

Monka has been serving authentic Bulgarian dishes for 78 years, featuring a menu that includes traditional items such as kapiyolo, lamb soup, moussaka, stuffed vegetables, lungs in sauce, and signature dishes like shkembe chorba (a sour tripe soup with garlic), goulash soup, and the famous Bulgarian kebabs known as kebabcheta. Halfon emphasizes that the restaurant will remain a simple, working-class eatery focused on family and tradition rather than a gourmet chef's restaurant.

During the initial weeks after reopening, the kitchen staff will focus on testing and refining the recipes to recapture the original tastes. The relaunch menu will highlight the iconic kebabs, shkembe, a variety of meats and salads including house-made hummus, and the restaurant's legendary desserts such as the beloved Bavarian cream. Halfon is currently recruiting chefs and waitstaff and invites longtime patrons to visit, share memories, and enjoy the revived flavors. The trial period will conclude on August 12th, after which the restaurant will operate regularly at its original location on 15 Yehuda HaYamit Street in Jaffa.