Egypt, a land celebrated for its ancient wonders, also boasts a rich and flavorful culinary heritage. Egyptian Foods offer a delightful exploration for any traveler, blending Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and African influences into a unique and satisfying cuisine. From bustling street corners to cozy restaurants, the aroma of spices and grilling meats fills the air, inviting you to taste the authentic flavors of Egypt. This guide will take you through 20 traditional Egyptian dishes that are essential to experience on your culinary journey.
Iconic Egyptian Street Foods
Egyptian street food is a vibrant and affordable way to dive into the local cuisine. These dishes are readily available, bursting with flavor, and represent the heart of everyday Egyptian eating.
Ful Medames
Ful Medames is arguably Egypt’s national dish and a quintessential street food. This hearty dish consists of fava beans simmered overnight until they become incredibly tender and are then mashed into a paste. Flavored generously with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, Ful is often served from large copper pots. It’s traditionally scooped up with pita bread, making it a perfect and inexpensive takeaway sandwich, ideal for a quick and energizing meal any time of day.
Tamiya (Egyptian Falafel)
Known as falafel throughout much of the world, in Egypt, this beloved street food is called Tamiya. Distinct from its chickpea-based counterparts, Tamiya is made with mashed fava beans and fresh parsley, giving it a vibrant green hue and a slightly different flavor profile. Shaped into flat discs rather than balls, Tamiya is deep-fried to crispy perfection and typically enjoyed as a sandwich with fresh salad and tahini, offering a delicious vegetarian option.
Koshari
Koshari stands out as one of the most famous and unique Egyptian dishes. This carb-lover’s dream is a delightful and filling mix of rice, brown lentils, and macaroni, all tossed together and topped with crispy fried onions and a tangy, spicy tomato sauce. Often served in dedicated “koshari restaurants,” this dish is exclusively focused on this Egyptian staple, offering a customizable and satisfying meal.
Shawarma
Shawarma is another incredibly tasty and widely loved Egyptian street food. Large cones of marinated lamb or chicken are slowly roasted on a vertical spit. As the meat cooks to juicy perfection, thin slices are carved off and often mixed on a griddle with chopped tomatoes, onions, and parsley. This flavorful mixture is then rolled into a large flatbread and wrapped for a convenient and delicious takeaway meal, perfect for enjoying on the go.
Savory Egyptian Main Courses
Beyond street food, Egyptian cuisine offers a range of hearty and flavorful main courses, showcasing the country’s rich culinary traditions and love for meat and spices.
Kebab and Kofta
Kebab and Kofta are grilled meat dishes that are a favorite in Egyptian cuisine. Kebab features flame-grilled chunks of tender lamb, while Kofta consists of spiced minced meat, expertly shaped into sausage-like forms and grilled on skewers. This popular meal is typically served with a simple yet refreshing chopped salad of tomatoes and cucumbers, accompanied by warm flatbread for scooping up every delicious bite.
Mulukhiyah
Mulukhiyah is a distinctive Egyptian soup made from jute leaves. Characterized by its vibrant green color and somewhat viscous texture, it can be an acquired taste for newcomers but is deeply loved by Egyptians. Often served with meat such as rabbit or lamb, Mulukhiyah provides a unique and traditional culinary experience. Historically, it’s even said that Fatimid Sultan Hakim banned the dish in the 11th century due to his personal distaste for it, highlighting its strong, sometimes divisive, flavor.
Pigeon (Hamaam)
Pigeon, known as Hamaam in Egypt, is considered a traditional delicacy. Pigeons are specially bred in conical towers throughout the country. For this dish, they are stuffed with flavorful seasoned rice or, for an even richer taste, bulgur wheat (freek) before being grilled or baked to succulent perfection. Pigeon offers a taste of traditional Egyptian fine dining.
Egyptian Fatteh
Egyptian Fatteh is a layered dish that combines various textures and flavors. Typically featuring meat (beef or chicken), rice, and garlic, the base of Fatteh is layers of dry bread soaked in broth, softening it and infusing it with savory flavors. Often cooked in the oven, Fatteh is typically served topped with yogurt and nuts, adding a creamy and crunchy contrast to the hearty base.
Mahshi
Mahshi is a delightful dish, especially for vegetarian travelers. It essentially consists of baked vegetables, commonly peppers, zucchini, or eggplant, that are generously stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice and aromatic herbs such as parsley and coriander. Often served with a dipping sauce, Mahshi provides a wholesome and flavorful vegetarian option in Egyptian cuisine.
Sayadiyah Fish
Sayadiyah Fish is a specialty primarily found in Egyptian coastal cities like Suez, Port Said, and Alexandria. This dish features white fish, such as sea bass or bluefish, cooked with fragrant yellow rice, onions, a blend of spices, and rich tomato sauce. Traditionally cooked in a casserole, Sayadiyah Fish is a quintessential Egyptian meal, perfect for savoring the fresh flavors of the sea.
Hawawshi
Hawawshi is a comforting and flavorful Egyptian dish, often described as a home-style staple. It consists of bread, similar to pita bread, that is generously filled with a spiced mixture of minced meat, onions, and peppers. Hawawshi is a beloved Egyptian comfort food, perfect for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Alexandrian Kebdah
Alexandrian Kebdah highlights the bold flavors of Egyptian street food but is also frequently cooked at home. This dish features liver prepared with hot peppers and garlic, with onions sometimes added for extra depth of flavor. Served alongside pickles, Alexandrian Kebdah offers a spicy and savory taste of Egyptian cuisine. Similarly, sausage dishes in Alexandria are often prepared with tomato sauce and hot peppers, showcasing the region’s love for bold flavors.
Besarah
Besarah is a creamy and flavorful green puree, perfect for vegetarians. Prepared with parsley, dill, leek, ground beans, and a blend of spices, it’s topped with crispy fried onions for added texture and flavor. Besarah is a wholesome and satisfying vegetarian meal, showcasing the versatility of Egyptian cuisine.
Baba Ganoush
While often associated with Lebanese cuisine, Baba Ganoush is a common and delicious dish found on Egyptian restaurant menus. This creamy dip is made from roasted eggplant, blended with olive oil, garlic, sesame paste (tahini), and lemon juice. Similar in texture to hummus, Baba Ganoush is typically eaten with pita bread, serving as a flavorful appetizer or side dish.
Feteer Meshaltet
Feteer Meshaltet is a unique and traditional Egyptian bread. This light, flaky, multi-layered pastry is made from dough stretched incredibly thin and folded numerous times. Feteer can be served plain, brushed with Samneh (ghee), or dusted with icing sugar for a sweet treat. It can also be stuffed with savory fillings like minced meat or cheese, offering both sweet and savory variations.
Delightful Egyptian Desserts
To complete your Egyptian food experience, indulging in the country’s delightful desserts is a must. Egyptian desserts are often sweet, fragrant, and perfect for rounding off a flavorful meal.
Egyptian Desserts Sampler
Egyptian desserts often lean towards the lighter side, focusing on delicate flavors and textures. Many incorporate fragrant ingredients like rosewater and nuts, creating a delightful end to any meal. From creamy puddings to syrup-soaked pastries, Egyptian sweets are a treat for the senses.
Mahalabiya
Mahalabiya is a delicate and fragrant Egyptian dessert. This ground rice pudding is flavored with rosewater, giving it a subtle floral aroma. It’s typically topped with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon, adding both texture and warmth to the creamy dessert.
Um Ali
Um Ali is a classic Egyptian dessert, often compared to English bread and butter pudding. However, it has a slightly different texture, being less soft and spongy due to the use of local dry bread. Made with layers of puff pastry soaked in milk and mixed with nuts, raisins, coconut flakes, and sugar, and then baked, Um Ali is a warm and comforting dessert, perfect for a sweet ending.
Roz bi Laban
Roz bi Laban is the Egyptian version of rice pudding. Simple yet satisfying, this dessert is always served cold, offering a refreshing sweetness. Its creamy texture and subtle flavor make it a popular choice for a light dessert.
Baklava & Kanafeh
Egyptians have a sweet tooth for syrup-drenched, nut-filled filo pastries, collectively known as baklava. There are numerous variations, including Kanafeh, which features a creamy cheese base and a crunchy vermicelli pastry crust, soaked in sweet syrup and often topped with ground nuts. These rich and sticky pastries are perfect for those who love indulgent desserts.
Basbousa
Basbousa is a popular semolina cake soaked in sweet syrup. Of Ottoman origin and found in various countries under different names, in Egypt, it’s known as Basbousa. The Egyptian version is typically thin, soft on the inside, and topped with almonds and fresh cream, offering a delightful balance of textures and sweetness.
Baked Sweet Potato
For a healthy and affordable dessert option, try Baked Sweet Potato. This simple street food is widely popular in Egypt and incredibly cheap. Sweet potatoes are baked in wood-fired ovens right on the street carts. Served hot, cut in half on a piece of paper, it’s a comforting and naturally sweet treat. Modernized carts even offer toppings like ice cream, caramel sauce, chocolate, and nuts, elevating this humble dessert to new levels of indulgence.
Exploring Egyptian foods is an integral part of experiencing the culture and hospitality of Egypt. From the flavorful street foods to the rich and diverse main courses and the sweet finales of delightful desserts, Egyptian cuisine offers a culinary adventure as captivating as its ancient history. When you visit Egypt, be sure to venture beyond the landmarks and delve into the tastes that define this fascinating country.
