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Hummus Lali is a casual hummus joint that recently opened in Westlake Village, a little town next to Calabasas, known for its impressive celebrity real estate. Located in a beautiful strip mall that resembles The Commons in Calabasas (but bigger), Hummus Lali’s mission is to provide a haven for hummus and Mediterranean food lovers.
Husband and wife Nadav and Natalie are the founders. Nadav Garber is from Israel and has a very extensive background as a chef. Natalie was born and raised in LA but her parents are from Israel. With Hummus Lali, they wanted customers to feel what it’s like to eat in Israel.
When I asked them why they chose Westlake Village as the location, Natalie said that they lived nearby and that there wasn’t any competition as far as Mediterranean restaurants, as opposed to other areas of LA, where Mediterranean restaurants are plentiful.
Natalie shared with me the story of how she and Nadiv were having lunch at a restaurant right across the mall and they saw the “For Lease” sign on the establishment that is now Hummus Lali. The inside is very no-frills. They have a few photos of garbanzo beans and Israeli street scenes.
I found this place on a Sunday afternoon and waited a whole week to go. To say that I was excited to try it out is a big understatement. I’m a hummus fiend, so obviously, I was particularly eager to try one of their Hummus Bowls.
They offer 6 types of Hummus Bowls: The Original, Boom Boom Mushroom, Mr. Fava, Betta’ Be Eggplant, Shakshuka Time and Sababa Shawarma.
I’m not a particularly adventurous person when it comes to hummus. I like to keep it very basic and I always stick to the classic chickpea flavor, which is why I picked The Original bowl.
I also didn’t want to leave Hummus Lali without trying their bestselling signature Schniztel Challah Sandwich.
When The Original Bowl came to my table, Natalie gave me a breakdown of everything. The hummus comes with pickled veggies and an array of sauces: tahini, chimichurri and a Schug spicy sauce.
Inside the bowl, besides the hummus, there was a hard-boiled egg, chopped parsley and olive oil. Natalie said the way to eat it was to add the sauces you want, stir up the bowl, and spread the mixture onto bite-sized pieces of pita bread.
The best way to describe the hummus is homemade. There was a major difference between this hummus and the hummus I usually get from Trader Joes. At Hummus Lali, the hummus was bursting with the flavor of the chickpeas. It was also so creamy and slightly warm, which I loved. They add some parsley, a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of tahini. Other than that, the hummus is not seasoned. In the original bowl, don’t expect to find a strong flavored hummus unless you add the sauces.
I also really liked the addition of the hard-boiled egg. I sprinkled in a little bit of chimichurri and Schug, which made for an excellent blend. The texture was creamy heaven! I don’t think I’ve ever had hummus that creamy in my life.
The biggest challenge for Hummus Lali is educating people on how hummus is eaten in Israel. “Some people think they’re going to get the same experience as when they buy store-bought hummus. The way people eat hummus in Israel is entirely different.” She also said that you can’t keep this hummus for too many days because it will spoil.
I did my research and indeed, hummus in Israel is eaten in a completely different way. Natalie said that you can find hummus in Israel literally everywhere, even at coffee shops.
The pita bread was also super fresh. Natalie said the pita bread was the only thing they didn’t make in-house. “We get it fresh every morning from a bakery.”
I only ate a little bit because I wanted to save room for the Schniztel Challah Sandwich! “This is our bestseller. Also super popular in Israel”, Natalie said.
The Schnitzel Challah Sandwich is an Israeli staple and from what I read online, it brings back a lot of memories for people who grew up in an Israeli household. It’s usually served with breaded chicken cutlets, eggplant, and some greens.
In my honest opinion, this was my least favorite menu item. It just failed to make a lasting impression on me. The chicken cutlets were thin but a little tough and the bread didn’t blow me away either. But don’t let my opinion discourage you from trying it. It is a bestseller for a reason! It comes with a side of seasoned fries.
Natalie also gave me a few freshly-made falafel nuggets, which were absolutely heavenly. They were super crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. 10/10. If you didn’t know, falafels with a green hue inside are hard to find in LA. Most places usually have a premade mix and they add water to it. “You know it’s fresh by the green color”, said Natalie. Mini Kabob in Glendale is my go-to spot for Mediterranean food in general. I scrolled through their Instagram feed and I found a picture of the inside of their green falafels, as well as a video where the caption says “Fresh falafel from scratch every morning!”
To end my meal, Natalie gave me Muhallebi, a rose water milk pudding. This iconic Israeli dessert has its roots in the 7th century. Legend has it that it was introduced into Arab cuisine by a Persian cook, who served it to an Arab general named Al-Mulhallab. He liked it so much that he named the dessert after himself.
The pudding ingredients are rice flour, milk and sugar. Muhallebi is widely eaten in the Middle East, especially at gatherings and weddings. The fragrant taste of the rosewater and the toasty flavor from the crushed nuts left a very nice taste in my mouth. I couldn’t have asked to end my meal on a sweeter note!
Their menu also includes salads, pita bread sandwiches, and plates for kids.
There was a family of 4 sitting right across from me who were also very excited to try Hummus Lali for the first time. The mom’s jaw dropped seeing how generous the portions were. Rightfully so, I went back to my car with an armful of leftovers!
Natalie said she didn’t have a favorite Mediterranean restaurant in LA because she grew up eating that food at home. “If I ever go out, I’d much rather go to a sushi place or other type of restaurant.” Her favorite restaurant in LA is Ysabel, a famous contemporary American restaurant on Fairfax. “They changed the chef and the food now is reaaally good.”
Was Hummus Lali worth the drive from Central LA? 100%. It was a fascinating experience learning about the culinary customs in Israel, and I’m so happy that Nadav and Natalie are bringing that experience through Hummus Lali.
The address is 30760 Russell Ranch Rd Suit B, Westlake Village, CA 91362
If you decide to go, let them know that you read this post!
SJLance
May 26, 2022I tried this place for the first time this past Monday. I had the Eggplant Hummus bowl. The flavor was very nice and the hummus creamy and rich, yet I found the hummus to veggie ratio off, too much hummus and not enough veggies.
I do plan to return and try some other items on the menu however, the next time I order a hummus bowl, I will definitely ask for less hummus and more veggies.