Egyptian cuisine is rich, flavorful, and deeply rooted in ancient traditions. It combines influences from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, creating a unique and delicious food culture. Here’s a full look at the most popular foods in Egypt:
Popular Egyptian Dishes
1. Koshari (Kushari)
- Egypt’s national dish
- A hearty mix of lentils, rice, macaroni, chickpeas, and crispy onions, topped with a spicy tomato sauce
Cheap, filling, and a favorite street food!
2. Ful Medames
- Slow-cooked fava beans, mashed and seasoned with olive oil, garlic, lemon, and cumin
- Often eaten for breakfast with baladi bread
A staple in most Egyptian homes
3. Ta’ameya (Egyptian Falafel)
- Made from fava beans (not chickpeas like the Levantine version)
- Deep-fried and often served in pita with salad, tahini, and pickles
4. Hawawshi
- A spicy meat-stuffed bread (like a meat pie)
- Baked in a crispy pita or dough and filled with minced meat, onions, peppers, and spices
5. Fattah
- A layered dish of rice, fried bread, and garlic-vinegar meat broth, topped with beef or lamb
- Often served on special occasions like Eid or weddings
6. Molokhia
- Green leafy vegetable (jute leaves), cooked into a slimy but flavorful soup
- Served with rice or bread and meat/chicken/rabbit
7. Mahshi
- Vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, cabbage, bell peppers) stuffed with rice, herbs, and tomato sauce
8. Sayadeya
- Spiced fish and rice dish, usually made with white fish like mullet or bass
- Common in coastal cities like Alexandria and Port Said
Snacks & Sides
- Baladi Bread – traditional whole wheat flatbread
- Pickled vegetables – often spicy and sour
- Dips like baba ghanoush, tahini, hummus
Egyptian Desserts
| Sweet | Description |
|---|---|
| Basbousa | Semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup |
| Kunafa | Shredded phyllo pastry with cream or nuts, soaked in syrup |
| Om Ali | Egyptian bread pudding with milk, nuts, and raisins |
| Qatayef | Mini stuffed pancakes (popular during Ramadan) |
| Zalabia | Sweet fried dough balls drizzled in syrup |
Popular Egyptian Drinks
- Karkadeh – Hibiscus tea (served hot or cold)
- Sahlab – Warm milk drink with nuts and coconut
- Sugarcane juice (Asab) – Freshly pressed and very popular
- Mint tea – A must after meals
- Qahwa (Arabic coffee) – Strong and often spiced with cardamom
