Discover the Top 10 Must-Try Recipes from Egypt

Egyptian cuisine offers a rich blend of flavors shaped by history, geography, and culture. From hearty stews to delicate pastries, the food of Egypt reflects its diverse heritage and the bounty of the Nile. If you want to explore authentic tastes that have delighted generations, these top 10 recipes are essential. Each dish tells a story and invites you to experience Egypt’s culinary soul.

Traditional Egyptian koshari served in a rustic bowl

1. Koshari – Egypt’s National Dish

Koshari is a filling, affordable street food loved across Egypt. It combines rice, lentils, and macaroni topped with a spicy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Some versions add chickpeas or garlic vinegar for extra flavor. This dish is a perfect example of Egyptian comfort food, offering a satisfying mix of textures and tastes.

Key ingredients:

• Rice

• Brown lentils

• Macaroni

• Tomato sauce with garlic and vinegar

• Crispy fried onions

  
  

Koshari is easy to prepare in large quantities, making it popular for family meals and gatherings.

2. Ful Medames – The Classic Egyptian Breakfast

Ful Medames is a simple yet hearty dish made from slow-cooked fava beans. It’s traditionally eaten for breakfast, often with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and chopped parsley. Egyptians sometimes add boiled eggs or tahini for extra richness.

This dish has been a staple for thousands of years and remains a nutritious start to the day.

3. Taameya – Egyptian Falafel

Taameya is Egypt’s version of falafel, made primarily from crushed fava beans instead of chickpeas. It’s flavored with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill, giving it a distinct green color and fresh taste. Fried until crisp, taameya is often served with pita bread, salad, and tahini sauce.

This snack is a popular street food and a vegetarian favorite.

4. Molokhia – Leafy Green Stew

Molokhia is a unique Egyptian stew made from finely chopped jute leaves cooked with garlic, coriander, and broth. It has a slightly slimy texture that might surprise first-timers but is beloved for its rich flavor. Molokhia is usually served over rice or with bread and often accompanied by chicken or rabbit.

This dish showcases the use of local greens in Egyptian cooking.

5. Mahshi – Stuffed Vegetables

Mahshi refers to vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat. The stuffed vegetables are cooked in a tomato-based sauce, absorbing all the flavors.

Mahshi is a festive dish often prepared for family celebrations and special occasions.

6. Fattah – Festive Layered Dish

Fattah is a celebratory dish made of layers of crispy bread, rice, and meat, usually beef or lamb, topped with a garlic and vinegar tomato sauce. It’s a hearty meal served during holidays and weddings. The combination of textures and tangy sauce makes fattah a memorable dish.

7. Hawawshi – Egyptian Meat Pie

Hawawshi is a savory pie filled with spiced minced meat mixed with onions, peppers, and herbs. The filling is stuffed inside a flatbread and baked until golden and crispy. It’s a popular street food and comfort meal, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

8. Basbousa – Semolina Cake

Basbousa is a sweet dessert made from semolina soaked in simple syrup flavored with rose water or orange blossom. It has a moist, grainy texture and is often garnished with almonds or coconut flakes. Basbousa is a common treat during Ramadan and other celebrations.

9. Konafa – Sweet Cheese Pastry

Konafa is a rich dessert made from shredded phyllo dough layered with sweet cheese or cream, soaked in sugar syrup. It’s baked until golden and crispy on top, offering a delightful contrast between crunchy and creamy textures. Konafa is a favorite for special occasions and festive meals.

10. Umm Ali – Egyptian Bread Pudding

Umm Ali is a warm, comforting dessert similar to bread pudding. It’s made by layering puff pastry or bread with milk, nuts, raisins, and coconut, then baked until bubbly and golden. This dish is often enjoyed during colder months or as a sweet end to a meal.