Food in Egypt

1. Koshari: Considered the national dish of Egypt, koshari is a hearty vegetarian dish made with a combination of rice, lentils, macaroni, and chickpeas. It is typically topped with a tangy tomato sauce and garnished with fried onions.

2. Ful Medames: This popular Egyptian breakfast dish consists of slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. It is often served with pita bread and accompanied by additional toppings such as tahini, tomatoes, and onions.

3. Molokhia: Molokhia is a green leafy vegetable, also known as jute mallow, that is cooked into a thick soup or stew. The leaves are finely chopped and simmered with garlic, coriander, and sometimes meat or chicken. It is commonly served over rice or with bread.

4. Ta'meya (Egyptian Falafel): Ta'meya is a popular street food in Egypt. It is made from mashed fava beans mixed with herbs, spices, and onions, then deep-fried until crispy. Ta'meya is often served with tahini sauce and wrapped in pita bread.

5. Shawarma: Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that has become a staple in Egypt. It consists of thinly sliced marinated meat (typically chicken or beef) that is slowly roasted on a vertical spit. The meat is then wrapped in flatbread and served with a variety of condiments and sauces.

6. Mahshi: Mahshi refers to a variety of stuffed vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and grape leaves. The vegetables are hollowed out and filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes ground meat. They are then cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce.

7. Umm Ali: Umm Ali is a traditional Egyptian dessert similar to bread pudding. It is made with layers of puff pastry or phyllo dough, milk, sugar, nuts (such as almonds or pistachios), and sometimes raisins. The mixture is baked until golden and served warm.

8. Fattah: Fattah is a celebratory dish often served during special occasions and festivals. It typically consists of layers of toasted bread, rice, and meat (such as lamb or beef) that are topped with a flavorful tomato-based sauce and garnished with garlic, vinegar, and sometimes nuts.

9. Sayadeya: Sayadeya is a popular seafood dish in Egypt. It usually features a whole fish, such as mullet or sea bass, that is cooked with a fragrant mixture of rice, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices. It is often served with a side of tahini sauce.

10. Roz bel Laban: Roz bel Laban is a traditional Egyptian rice pudding. It is made by simmering rice in milk until it becomes thick and creamy. The pudding is flavored with vanilla, sugar, and sometimes rose water or orange blossom water. It is commonly garnished with nuts, raisins, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

11. Hawawshi: Hawawshi is a popular street food in Egypt. It consists of a stuffed pita bread filled with a mixture of ground meat (typically beef or lamb), onions, and aromatic spices. The bread is then baked or grilled until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

12. Basbousa: Basbousa is a sweet semolina cake soaked in a sugar syrup flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. The cake is often topped with nuts, such as almonds or pistachios, and sometimes a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.

13. Shakshuka: While not originally from Egypt, shakshuka has become a popular dish in the country. It consists of poached eggs cooked in a flavorful tomato and pepper sauce, often spiced with cumin, paprika, and chili. It is typically served with bread for dipping.

14. Kebab: Kebabs are widely enjoyed in Egypt, with various types available. These grilled skewers of marinated meat, such as beef, lamb, or chicken, are seasoned with spices and often served with flatbread, tahini sauce, and a side of grilled vegetables.

15. Roz bil Shai: Roz bil Shai, meaning "rice with tea," is a unique dish where rice is cooked with black tea and often flavored with butter or ghee. It is typically served alongside savory dishes, providing a contrasting flavor to the meal.

16. Samosa/Sambusek: Samosas are a popular street food snack in Egypt. These triangular pastries are filled with a mixture of spiced potatoes, onions, peas, and sometimes meat. They are deep-fried until crispy and served with various dipping sauces.

17. Meshabek: Meshabek is a traditional Egyptian dessert made by frying thin strands of dough until they turn golden and crispy. It is then sweetened with a sugar syrup flavored with rose water or orange blossom water and often garnished with nuts.

18. Feseekh: Feseekh is a traditional Egyptian dish typically consumed during the spring festival of Sham El-Nessim. It consists of fermented and salted gray mullet fish, which is usually served with bread, onions, and sometimes tomatoes.

19. Bessara: Bessara is a popular Egyptian dip made from fava beans. The beans are cooked until soft, then blended with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices. It is often served with bread or as a side dish.

Egyptian cuisine offers a vast array of traditional dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. Exploring the local food scene will introduce you to even more delicious and unique culinary delights in Egypt.