Matzah Ball Soup

Broadway in Williamsburg runs as a drawline between a hip youth neighborhood and one of the biggest Hasidic communities in the States. One block south of B'way can bring you into a very distinctive atmosphere. Men are dressed in black rekel suits with shtreimel hat. Ladies in the morning roam on the street with heibors, wearing a hair band usually in baby pink or blue—in a contrast with their dark, brown clothes.

I researched or actually tried a good Polish restaurant in and around Greenpoint, a pretty authentic Hispanic eatery in east Williamsburg/Bushwick, and covered most of the best restaurants in the central Williamsburg. Now it's time for a representative from the Jewish 'hood. I really don't know what Jewish (Hasidic Jewish) families have on a table. All I've heard is Matzah Ball Soup. Some web-browsing found out there is one deli that serves Kosher Matzah Ball Soup. Gottlib's is a laid-back deli opened since 1860s. The menu is almost multi-cultural: Chinese sesame chicken, Buffalo Wings, Hungarian Goulash, etc. The soft-spoken waiter suggest us start with the chicken soup, aka Matzah Ball Soup. The only way I can describe it is: the best chicken noodle soup I ever had. Matzah Ball is basically a dough made of flower and water, no flavor in and out of itself. Their soup has no veggies. Clear chicken broth with white noodles and white ball. It looks bland but the flavor was really hearty.

The price range of this deli is set a bit high for what they are. Perhaps due to the Kosher ingredients. But the soup is only $3.50. If you are in the hood and crave for a warm bowl of soup, try it out. It's a good dish for kids too.

Gottlieb's
352 Roebling St, Brooklyn 11211
At Division Ave
MAP