Egyptian food is an incredibly delicious cuisine. Egypt is located in the northeastern part of the African continent on the shores of the Mediterranean, so the cuisine is a delightful blend of Middle Eastern and North African flavours, with interesting influences from Greek and French culinary traditions.

Beans, lentils, onions, ghee, and tea are commonly used ingredients in Egyptian cuisine. Meat is consumed only occasionally due to its relatively high cost, which makes it a less common item on dining tables in Egypt. Some popular spices used in Egyptian cuisine include bay leaves, saffron, dill, coriander, and cumin.

Egyptians have a penchant for indulging in street food, alongside the tradition of communal dining where families gather to partake in a diverse array of dishes. This practice is commonly observed during family reunions, weddings, and other celebrations. Here we highlight some of the more famous Egyptian dishes that you can eat at your local Egyptian restaurant or make at home.

Hummus

Hummus is a favoured Egyptian food that has gained popularity throughout the Middle East and more recently, globally as well. It is a savoury dip made by blending cooked mashed chickpeas with tahini, garlic, cumin, and lemon juice. Hummus is commonly enjoyed as an appetiser or dip and is often served alongside other Egyptian dishes such as falafel. It is typically accompanied by pita bread and garnished with olive oil, whole chickpeas, paprika, and herbs.

Molokhia

Jute mallow is a leafy shrub used to make molokhia. Molokhia is a soup made from finely chopped jute leaves simmered in chicken broth with sautéed garlic, coriander, and spices. The soup is often served with rice or Egyptian flatbread and grilled chicken, rabbit, or shellfish.

Eggah

Eggah, a thick, rich baked omelette, looks like a pizza filled with eggs and veggies. Eggah, like frittata, can be filled with zucchini, spinach, fried onions, tomatoes, eggplant, green pepper and leeks. Eggah is baked with cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg, and fresh herbs.

Eggah has breakfast vibes but may be eaten anytime. It may be a starter or a main meal with pita bread, salad, and other Egyptian foods.

Bamya

Bamya is a delicious Egyptian stew that combines tender lamb and okra, simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce with onions, garlic, capsicum, coriander, and a blend of aromatic spices. It can be prepared with or without meat, although many versions typically include lamb or beef.

Serve Bamya the Egyptian way, accompanied by lemon wedges on the side. Bamya pairs well with vermicelli rice and pita bread.

Shawarma

Shawarma is a popular street food in Egypt. The components of shawarma are thinly shaved portions of broiled meat cut from a vertically rotating rotisserie. Typically, it is served as a pocket sandwich or wrap in pita bread, accompanied by onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, french fries, tahini sauce, and hot sauce.

To prepare shawarma, one must stack thin slices of heavily spiced meat, such as beef, chicken, or lamb onto a vertical skewer.

Roz Bel Laban

Egyptian desert roz bel laban includes short-grain rice, milk, butter, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Rose or orange flower water, raisins, and chopped almonds can add aesthetic appeal and flavour.

Roz bel laban can also be eaten for breakfast or as a snack. It is frequently enjoyed with mint tea. This dessert can be enjoyed cold or warmed.

Koshari

Koshari is a typical Egyptian dish that combines chickpeas, pasta, fried onions, and a spicy tomato sauce on top of rice and brown lentils. It is flavourful and nutritious and has become perhaps the most famous Egyptian dish. Although koshari takes some time to prepare, each component is straightforward to prepare.

Spiced lentils and rice with chickpeas and tiny noodles, all slathered in a tomato sauce laced with vinegar. Then it’s topped with savoury, crunchy thinly fried onion rings.