6 Must Try Dishes in Egypt

In many ways, Egypt is an exciting destination. From the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of Kings, the Nile river and everything in between, there are many highlights to experience. If you ask us, the food in Egypt is another major highlight of the country. Egyptian cuisine has been influenced throughout history, primarily from the Middle East. We’d say the food in Egypt feels more Arabic than African. Vegetables and legumes feature heavily in this cuisine and you can taste many cultures in their unique dishes.

# Ful Medames

Fava beans, parsley, onion, tomato, lemon juice, olive oil and tahini bring this warming dish together to create my all-time favourite food in Egypt. Eaten with a basket of fresh Egyptian bread to scoop it all up – this meal is super satisfying. Ful (pronounced ‘fool’) is a popular breakfast food in Egypt and pairs perfectly with some fresh tea.

# Koshari

Every culture has its favourite comfort food, and for Egyptians, Koshari is the go-to dish. It is also a popular street food in Egypt. You can buy it from street vendors who prepare this filling dish in huge pots. The dish is made from a base of lentils, rice, pasta and chickpeas, then seasoned with vinegar and garlic and covered with tomatoes.

Yes, this meal is heavy on carbs, but it’s worth it. You will notice that this humble food in Egypt blends both Italian and Arab flavours and ingredients. Served with a spiced tomato sauce and topped with crispy onions, you need to try it.

# Kobeiba

A combination of ground meat, grains, onion and spices make up the delicious bite-sized kobeiba. It is known throughout the region by different names. We’ve eaten it as we travelled in Lebanon and Syria, but here it is known as ‘kibbe’. And each time we return to Turkey, we regularly tuck into ‘bulgur koftesi’, the Turkish kobeiba.

# Mahshi

Mahshi is a very popular vegetarian food in Egypt and most Mediterranean countries have a similar version.

This is a dish of different vegetables that are packed with minced beef/lamb or chicken and rice, then simmered in a tomato and stock broth. Typically, the vegetables used in this dish are zucchini, peppers, eggplant, or even tomatoes.

# Fatteh

Fatteh is a popular food in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East. Essentially, spiced boiled beef or lamb is served over a bed of rice. Then pieces of toasted pita bread are added and its topped with a warm tomato and garlic sauce. There is something special about this traditional Egyptian dish. It’s one of my go-to dishes when travelling in Egypt and Lebanon.

# Kebab

For all the meat-lovers out there, the food in Egypt that you will like is kebab. These are pieces of marinated meat (lamb, veal or chicken) which is chargrilled. The best part is the smoky taste from the way it has been cooked and then the fresh bread, rice, salads, herbs and dips that are served alongside kebab.