By 
Update: 2 Jewish Girls from NYC is no longer in business! đ
Matzo balls can be found anywhere in LA. Although I was born in NY and spent countless summers there, it wasnât until I moved to LA that I had my first matzo ball soup. Itâs one of my favorite dishes to order when I want something comforting or when Iâm feeling under the weather. I just love it.
In January 2021, two Jewish girls from NYC, Jaime Lauren, former contestant on culinary TV shows such as Top Chef, and her partner Jessica Mei Gershen, an independent filmmaker, producer and writer, started selling quart jars of matzo ball soup out of their house in Mount Washington â they sold out every time.
Jaime was born and raised on the Upper East Side and Jessica grew up in various parts of Westchester. The matzo ball soup recipe was passed down to Jessica from her father and grandmother.
They serve the matzo ball soup in 32 oz Mason jars, a smart choice because the airtight seals keep all the flavors inside versus a styrofoam container. They donât have an email but they update everything on Instagram, from the upcoming pop-up locations to their current stock of matzo ball soup.
Their matzo ball soup is unlike any other Iâve had in LA, and trust me, Iâve had my fair share of them. No shade to LA matzo ball institutions like Greenblatt’s or Nate ‘N Al’s, but they donât hold a candle to the one I had from 2 Jewish Girls From NYC. In many of these places, they just serve the soup stock, the matzo ball, and maybe a few veggies or noodles. The matzo ball soup from 2 Jewish Girls From NYC offers an excellent, well-rounded combination of veggies including parsnips, carrots, and perfectly tender chicken. Exactly what the doctor ordered â and itâs all organic!
I was lucky that on a Friday, they happened to do a pop-up at Saraâs Market in East LA, serving it hot! I drove 40 minutes from Beverly Hills and it was worth every mile.
Before leaving, I kept DMing them on Instagram to see if they would have enough matzo ball soup by the time I got there. They always reply back so if you have any questions, make sure to DM them! Hereâs a screenshot of the ordering process. Pickups are only on the weekends, but the wait is definitely worth it.
In a nutshell, their matzo ball soup is like eating soup from your mother or grandmother. In many places, the matzo ball soup stock is watery. This one was probably the best homemade stock Iâve had. The dill was perfectly chopped and brought out a fresh nuance that added depth to the homestock and complemented the matzo ball soup harmoniously. Chefâs kiss. All the ingredients they use are organic, which shows in the quality and richness of each one of them. If you donât believe me, just look at the chicken. Iâm going to let the pictures do the talking.
*This was a complimentary meal
I cut the matzo ball open with my plastic spoon using a very light hand and the pieces stayed intact rather than dissolving into the soup as it may happen at other places. Think of that undeniable homemade quality versus a run-of-the-mill soup at a restaurant. They hit the nail on the head in their Facebook page information box: âMATZOH BALL SOUP pop up. Like your grandmas make. Or your Jewish friendsâ grandmas.â
After I had the soup, I didnât have that lingering aftertaste from overpowering ingredients. Although it was a pretty big quantity, it was super light.
The price is $15, but honestly, youâre paying for the quality of the ingredients and depending on how hungry you are, the soup can last you for two days if youâre one person. If youâre with a friend, I would suggest getting two jars of soup. Trust me, you will not want to share!
The soups are packed in Mason jars ensuring the quality and the taste of the soup wonât diminish. Plus, youâll also get $2 off your next order if you bring back your previous jar, like you saw on the Instagram screenshot above.
They give you half a pickle per soup, and they also sell 32 oz Mason jars of pickles separately. The pickle I had with my soup was delicious and this is coming from someone who is pretty indifferent towards pickles.
As far as opening a brick-and-mortar location in the future: âWe donât know,â said Jamie. For now, itâs only available for true LA foodies, enjoy it while it lasts in this incarnation. Get it now so you can brag to your friends later that you used to get soup from their house from the very beginning. đ
Since Jamie and Jessica are New Yorkers to the bone, I couldnât pass up the opportunity to do a mini-interview with them, picking their brains about their favorite things in LA versus NY.
When did you move to LA?
Jamie: I moved to LA in the summer of 2010 from San Francisco.
Jessica: I moved to LA in 2006, then back to NY in 2011, then back to LA again in 2018
What do you love the most about living LA versus NY?
Jamie: I love the fact that in LA I can have a house with a yard instead of a tiny apartment. I also love the weather, the fact that it doesnât really snow or rain very much and that the sun is out a lot of the year. LA just had a better vibe, people are more chill here.
Jessica: I love living in both places but prefer sunshine and the positive attitude that often comes with living in LA. I find it easier to create and feel happy here.
What are your favorite restaurants in LA?
Jamie: The Exchange, Factory Kitchen, Kapoors Akbar, Kazunori, Yuko Kitchen, MG Tofu House, Ji rong Peking Duck.
Jessica: My favorite Silverlake restaurant for all the years I lived in LA has been Cafe Stella and they just opened a brand new wine shop that is fantastic. Itâs called La Pharmacie du Vin.
What are your favorite places in LA to unwind?
Jamie: I like to go to Eaton Canyon to hike, Griffith Park for a walk around the golf course, Elysian park to sit and enjoy the sun. It used to be going 80s dancing and the Alamo draft house but those arenât options anymore!
Jessica: I love the beach. Thereâs a hidden beach you have to hike to thatâs my favorite, also surfing, driving to Big Bear for snowboarding, hiking anywhere but Runyon, or just walking around the east side neighborhoods or Venice.
