Top Local Food to Try When in Egypt

Food is the best aspect to discover any culture in the world, being a culturally diverse country, Egypt has a lot to offer in its food segment. Many of the Egyptian dishes are vegetable-based, considering that raising livestock in Egypt is complex and expensive.

This is true because the Islamic faith is followed by the majority of the population and pork is also not included in any of the traditional dishes. Be sure to check all the traditional dishes including molokhia, koshari, flat Baladi bread, and healthy cheeses from Egypt. The roots of these Mediterranean and Arabic dishes, since most of these dishes, are found from Greece to the Middle East and North Africa. Amusingly, there were many from India. The connection between Africa, Europe, and Asia has seen many cultures move through this part of the world. Egypt's food is as interesting as the heritage of Egypt.

Egyptian Eatery Culture

Egypt is a transcontinental land, a part of Africa, a part of Asia, and the influence of food comes from countries as diverse as Rome and India. The way history has affected its domestic and popular dishes makes Egyptian cuisine doubly intriguing. You will find that Egyptian food is extremely tasty, diverse, lightly spiced, and blends flavors and cuisines from many parts of the world as history introduced Egypt and the Middle East to various ethnicities. Be sure to check all the traditional dishes including molokhia, koshari, flat Baladi bread, and healthy cheeses from Egypt.

What Egyptians Love to Eat | Top Dishes

• Koshari

You simply skip the Egyptian Cuisine without talking about the famous “Koshari”. It is said to be the national dish of Egypt. Egyptians love it so much that there are eateries solely dedicated to serving this coma-inducing dish. Typically, it is covered with tomato sauce and consists of pasta, rice, lentils, garbanzo beans, and fried onions. This meal is inexpensive, filling, and exclusively Egyptian, and while it sounds odd to combine ingredients, it is extremely flavorful.

• Ful Mudammas

This is generally a breakfast dish, it is recommended to taste full muddamas if you want to indulge in the delights of the local markets. This bowl of fava beans for breakfast is seen as the master of street food. The dish is all about spices and is often garnished with additional ingredients such as chopped parsley, lemon juice, and chili pepper. It is usually served with pita bread and can be eaten on the go like a sandwich, great for snacking when you explore the city.

• Fattah

This is an ancient Nubian dish from Egypt that dates back to the holiday season when it was served in large portions. This dish has always been the main meal of the Islamic feast (Eid-al- Adha) and consists of meat flavored with vinegar and garlic with layers of crispy flatbread. Fattah is served in a bowl of rice and covered in sauce.

• Kunafa

Egyptians adore sweet and succulent dishes, and kunafa is one of those sweet savories that you want to taste. It is a traditional dessert, soaked in a sugar-based syrup, this caramelized mix of shredded or noodle-like pastry is smothered in a heavy hand with cheese, cream, or nuts. It is believed that during the construction of the city of Cairo, the recipe was brought with the Fatimid to Egypt.

• Hamam Mahshi

This dish is a must-try from the menu and must not be missed if you are an avid foodie. It is a grilled delicacy that is a famous meal, marinated in a delicious sauce and filled with rice, onions, and giblets, and packs the entire flavor. Additionally, cumin, nuts, pepper, and cinnamon are added to further improve the flavor of the filling. Over a wood-charcoal fire, the whole bird is normally grilled until it is crisp.