country Essentials · 11 foods
Egypt Essentials
A considered first route through Egypt: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Egypt foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
11 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Egypt
Koshari
كشري
Rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas topped with tomato sauce, fried onions and vinegar-chilli dressing.
Sudan
Ful Medames
فول مدمس
Dried fava beans simmered soft with lemon, garlic, cumin and olive oil.
Lebanon
Molokhia
ملوخية
Jute leaves finished with sizzling garlic and coriander, served over rice.
Egypt
Shakshuka
شكشوكة
Eggs poached in spiced tomato and pepper sauce.
Egypt
Kofta
كفتة
Grilled minced-meat kofta seasoned with onion, parsley and warm spices.
Lebanon
Yoghurt and Chickpea Layers
فتة
Fried bread layered with chickpeas, garlicky yoghurt and toasted nuts.
Egypt
Konafa
كنافة
Crisp shredded pastry with cream or cheese, soaked in syrup.
Egypt
Basbousa
بسبوسة
Semolina cake soaked in syrup and finished with almond or coconut.
Egypt
Aish Baladi
عيش بلدي
Round whole-wheat baladi bread baked hot until it puffs.
Egypt
Ta'ameya (Egyptian Falafel)
طعمية
Egypt's green fava-bean falafel, fried crisp and served in baladi bread.
Sudan
Karkade (Hibiscus Tea)
كركديه
Tart hibiscus tea served hot or cold with sugar.