Most Magnificent Matzo
Hand-made matzo from Rokhat Kosher Bakery in Rego Park, Queens. Image by Liza Schoenfein
By Liza Schoenfein April 25, 2016
Only the most beautiful matzo in the world could have compelled me to stop greeting my Passover guests and instead go grab my camera and set up a photo shoot, just as friends and family were arriving for our Seder Friday night.
But when Chelsea Miller — dear friend, former babysitter for our boys and current knife-maker extraordinaire — walked in cradling a huge bag containing three handmade, nested bowl-shaped matzos — the most beautiful matzo I had ever seen — everything else had to stop. Because I wanted you to see this stuff.
Called noni toki, it’s from Rokhat Kosher Bakery in Rego Park, Queens. The shop is run by brothers Roschiel and Rafael Samekhov, who come from Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Chelsea told me it’s made by shaping the dough over the back of a wok. When we broke into it at the Seder, we found it to be crisp and light, with a pleasant hint of salt and flame.
I tried calling the store today to get more information, but there was no answer. I’ll find out more soon. For now, just look.
Rokhat Kosher Bakery is located at 65-43 Austin St. in Rego Park. The number is 718-897-4493.
Liza Schoenfein is food editor at the Forward. Contact her at schoenfein @forward.com or on Twitter, @LifeDeathDinner
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