Kosher Shanghai. Oye
The city known for its rich Jewish history finally gets its first kosher catering service
That little 'U' tells you every (kosher) thing you need to know about this product.
From the Peace Hotel to the Star of Davids hidden in plain sight across Shanghai, it’s impossible to miss the mark that generations of Jews have left on Shanghai. Although Shanghai's Jewish population left the city during the Cultural Revolution -- a safe haven for them during World War II -- the local Jewish community is back and thriving. Nothing marks this development more clearly than the announcement of a local kosher catering service, Jerusalem Gourmet.
The first kosher kitchen in Shanghai (although there is already an online kosher market that has been set up for the Shanghai Jewish community), Jerusalem Gourmet advertises that it offers kosher meals as well as kosher wine, challah and pita bread.
Although rarely does one put the words “kosher” and “China” in the same thought, it’s growing more and more common -- and not due to developing Jewish communities in China, but as a result of recent food safety scares.
The LA Times reported that “China is now the world's fastest-growing producer of kosher-certified food, with more than 500 Chinese factories producing the approved products. That number is expected to soar, not because this country that is still officially atheist has embraced Judaism, but because it's good for business.”
Essentially the “Made in China” label has found an unlikely ally: the kosher food symbol. Although not important in itself, the kosher symbol represents, to some, higher food safety standards, important in light of incidents like the recent milk crisis.
Although it’s doubtful you’re going to see the people of the world’s foremost atheist nation saying Shabbat prayers any time soon, but you just might see a few more rabbis running around from factory to factory, and Jerusalem Gourmet's business taking off.
getting there
Jerusalem Gourmet
Unit 103, Bldg B, London Plaza, 1000 Gubei Lu
Call for opening hours and catering services
tel +86 21 6208 8327