Before embarking on a trip, you might be curious about the local cuisine. After all, you will most likely be eating a lot of it from day to day, so it is nice to know what to expect.
Luckily, Egyptian cuisine has something for everyone, and their dishes are wholesome, diverse, and full of flavor, so you can rest assured you will be satisfied when it comes to eating the local food there. However, if you wonder what precisely Egyptian food has to offer and do not want to miss every opportunity to taste the most popular dishes, then here are the best dishes you need to try on your Egyptian travels.
Firstly, let’s start with an overview of what the cuisine of this Middle Eastern country consists of. You will find that will be many dishes in Egypt; they will rely heavily on legumes, fruits, and a variety of local vegetables, which generally come from the Nile Valley and the Delta regions, and you will also notice some dishes that you recognize, such as hummus, pita, and falafel.
The cuisine in Egypt is varied, excellent for many types of diet, and you will find many vegan, vegetarian, and meat options available here. Still, one thing is sure, no matter what you order, it will be delicious and bursting with flavors.
Here are the absolute best dishes you cannot leave Egypt without trying.
Tamiya or Egyptian Falafel:
This is something you might have heard of before, considering it is a prevalent dish worldwide, especially in Middle East countries, and it is excellent if you are a vegetarian or vegan.
Unlike the other recipes, Egyptians like to use fava beans instead of chickpeas, which makes it appear greener, flakier, and crispier, and it is a perfect side dish to be served with fresh pita. It can be found everywhere in Egypt, and the name will differ between falafel and ta’amiya, depending on which region you are in.
Koshari:
If you have never heard of Koshari, you will quickly learn that this is Egypt’s national dish and a dish you just have to taste at least once or twice while you are there. This dish is a mash-up of Italian and Arab cuisine and consists of lentils, macaroni, and rice combined and topped with a spicy tomato sauce topped with chickpeas and fried onions.
It is not just available in restaurants; in fact, it is prevalent street food, so you will most likely become familiar with this dish right away.
Ful Medames:
Otherwise known as an Egyptian fava bean stew, this dish is a very hearty meal and is packed full of nutrients and flavor. In combination with the fava beans, you will taste the incredible mixed flavors of olive oil, parsley, cumin, lemon, chili, garlic, and onion, all of which are divine when mixed together.
This is also considered one of the country’s national dishes and can be found throughout the country, most notably in the northern cities.
Kofta:
Known as the burger meat of the Middle East, this is something you might have heard of before, considering it is a dish eaten in many Arabic countries. Although it is a grilled/barbeque dish with different variations, in Egypt, it will mainly consist of lamb or ground beef with onions, garlic, parsley, and a mix of local spices to make it truly unique. Egyptians absolutely love their kofta, and you will, too, once you give this versatile dish a try.
Shwarma:
Another meal you might have heard of before will be shwarma, which you might recognize as a ‘doner kebab,’ however it is so much more than that, especially in Egypt.
Egyptians take pride in creating one of their most popular street foods, and you can find this thinly sliced meat -either lamb, mutton, chicken, beef, turkey, or veal stacked on top of each other, roasting on a slowly turning rotisserie, which is then added to pita, with salad and various sauces.
You will be amazed by the flavor of the spices used on the meat, the texture of the fresh pita, and the freshness of this street food, which you will most likely have on many occasions.
Hammam or Pigeon:
This national delicacy can be found all around the country and has been loved by the locals for Centuries. The pigeon, which is bred in Egypt in mud-brick structures along the Nile, is stuffed with seasoned rice or even bulgur wheat before being grilled or baked to golden perfection. So if you get the chance to try some Hammam, do not hesitate to try a favorite Egyptian dish.
Baba Ganoush:
If you are vegetarian, you will undoubtedly have plenty of this familiar side dish while in Egypt. It is a blend of eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, which is eaten with freshly baked pita, just the same way as hummus is eaten. It is excellent to eat as a tasty snack, a side dish, or an appetizer and can be found everywhere.
Egyptian Fatteh:
Sometimes referred to as ‘fette,’ this is made up of pieces of toasted, grilled, or day-old flatbread, which is then covered with various ingredients such as lamb or beef, a bed of rice and topped over with a garlic and tomato flavored sauce. It is typically eaten as a celebratory meal, so if you find yourself there during Eidul Adha or any local events, including weddings, you will most likely come across Fatteh.
Egyptian Goulash:
This Egyptian meat pie is made up of phyllo pastry stuffed with ground beef and onion seasoned with some delicious local spices, making it stand out from other pies you might have tried. This is the perfect warm and savory snack that captivates Egyptian flavor with every bite, and it can be found almost everywhere in the country, so keep your eyes peeled for this one.
Baklava:
If you have a sweet tooth, you probably know this world-famous desert already, but if you have never tried it in Egypt, you will not want to wait. This super sweet dessert is slightly different from other countries and is known locally as a ‘sweet goulash,’ which is a combination of phyllo pastry, sweet cream, and nuts soaked in syrup, so if you like your desert’s sticky and sweet, then this is for you.
Mahsi:
This has to be the most common dish in Egypt. It is a very inexpensive platter, depending on whether you serve it without meat. It is typically a variety of Egyptian stuffed vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, cabbage, and eggplant, all stuffed with a tomato and rice mixture. It is mainly found at Egyptian banquets and events.
Local drinks
When eating, you are typically going to want to drink something too, and even if it is purely to enjoy a beverage on the go are at a local café, it is worth knowing what local drinks you should try.
Aseer Asab:
Also known as sugarcane juice, this drink is trendy in Egypt, and you will typically find many locals drinking this sweet beverage. It might sound very unhealthy considering it is pure sugar, but it is relatively healthy, so drink up.
Hibiscus Tea:
This can be considered the national drink, and you can find this everywhere around the country, with the best tea being in Aswan, where the plant is grown. Depending on the situation, it can be served either hot or cold, and you might find it being offered to you in hotels, shops, or markets.
Hummus Sham:
This chickpea drink might be an unusual recipe, but it is all part of the culture, so you must give it a go if you get a chance. With a mix of chickpeas, water, lime juice, hot chili, tomato, and baking powder, this spicy drink is what the locals love to sip on, on a cold evening.
If you fancy trying some local food and drinks as part of your trip around Egypt, then these tours might be just what you are looking for:
