Every culture has always valued food. While tourists may be interested in visiting famous landmarks, they are also eager to try out new foods. The world is awash in Italian, Asian, and French cuisines. You can find them in all countries. Some delicious cuisines are less popular despite having unique dishes.
Egyptian food is less well-known than other Mediterranean cuisines. Egypt’s traditional cuisine is rich in flavors. These dishes may look similar to those in other Arab countries. They have their tastes and twists that you’ll enjoy.
The diversity of Egyptian cuisine, influenced by its Middle Eastern neighbors, makes it a popular choice. Many dishes have been affected by the history of other cultures and are also influenced by their influences. The traditional dishes are mainly rich in carbohydrates, vegetables, and legumes. In traditional Egyptian cuisine, rice is a main ingredient.
List delicious traditional foods you should try when exploring the Nile shores and Egyptian streets. Enjoy a delightful journey through Egyptian cuisine and learn about its history.
Falafel and Ful
You have probably seen the breakfast most Egyptians eat if you’ve ever visited Egypt. Every Egyptian household has a traditional breakfast of Falafel and ful. This tradition dates back many generations. They are also very nutritious and will keep you going until your next meal, essential for an active day.
It is the main dish of Egyptian cuisine but may not be as well-known as Falafel. The fava bean is cooked in many different ways. However, the oil and lemon juice are always present. This food is trendy because of its versatility. You can cook it in various ways, including with butter, olive oil, peppers, eggs, pastrami, and other ingredients.
Falafel, another popular street food, is also eaten for breakfast or dinner. Ta’meya is another name for it, depending on where you live or what city you’re in. This fried chickpea patty, made from ground chickpeas, is often served with tahini or hummus. Some people do it with complete, and others mix them with salad in wraps.
Koshari
Koshari is a popular dish in Egyptian cuisine. This dish is loaded with carbs and may be strange for cultures that are not familiar. Koshari has a few recipes. This dish combines macaroni with rice, lentils, and spaghetti. It also includes hummus or fried hummus.
The ingredients are always the same: rice, lentils, or spaghetti. You can add or remove other additives if you keep the main ingredients intact. Koshari is a culinary art, as the plate looks so colorful.
This dish is not from Egypt, as strange as it may sound. This delicious national dish has its origins in India. Koshari is not Arab but comes from the Hindu word for rice and lentils, “khichri.”
Koshari was first introduced to Egypt by the British in the late 1800s. The British are said to have brought this dish from India to Egypt. Since then, it’s become a filling and tasty, affordable dish.
Mahshi (Stuffed Vegetables)
Mahshi is a staple of Egyptian cuisine. We are not exaggerating. This traditional Egyptian food will leave your taste buds screaming in delight and your stomach full and satisfied. It’s suitable for everyone, including vegetarians.
Mahshi, an Arabic word, literally means “stuffed.” This dish is made of vegetables stuffed with rice and other ingredients. This could include anything drilled, sealed, and roasted, such as grapevine leaves or zucchini.
The stuffing helps to make the vegetables filling and nutritious. The filler is paired with tomato paste and various herbs, including parsley, cilantro, and dill. It is optional for meat lovers to add minced beef to the fillings.
This delicious dish’s origins are also a matter of debate. Some believe this dish is a traditional Greek dish called Dolma which is grapevine leaves stuffed with rice. Some believe the word originated in Turkey and was introduced to Egyptian cuisine under the Ottoman Empire. You can enjoy this tasty meal in its Egyptian version without knowing where it originated.
Alexandrian Liver & Sausages Sandwiches
A sandwich with sausages and liver is another street food you must try. The liver is the most popular meat in Egypt, especially in Alexandria. The sandwich was born in this beautiful city. Alexandrian is the name Egyptians use to refer to this sandwich.
The fine sandwich is made with chopped liver and sausages blended with other tasty ingredients. The ingredients are bell peppers and onions, which have been pan-fried. Alexandrian versions always include chili sauce to give the sandwich an extra savory edge.
This meal has never been questioned about its origins. It has always been associated with Egyptian food. It may be famous as street food in other countries, but it is still an essential part of traditional Egyptian cuisine.
Molokhiya (Jew’s Mallow)
Molokhiya is a traditional Egyptian dish that’s a healthy and nutritious meal. This soup looks green but is a chopped leafy vegetable cooked in a broth. It can be boiled or fried but will turn into a liquid. You can serve it with either white rice or bread.
Molokhiya can be served with either chicken or rabbit. However, some people like to pair it with beef. This is a very rare pairing. This dish is often paired with seafood such as shrimp or whitefish in coastal cities. The different regions of Egypt each have their style of cooking Molokhiya and their preferred side dish of protein.
Molokhiya, packed with essential vitamins, can help improve your health. The plant it comes from is commonly called Jute Mallow. It is also known as Jew’s Mallow by some people, who believe Jews introduced this food to Egyptian cuisine.
Molokhiya, it is said, was a national food in Egypt dating back to ancient times. This dish was banned in the 9th Century during the reign of Caliph Al Hakim Bi Amr Allah. He thought that eating Molokhiya had an aphrodisiac effect and punished anyone who tried to do so. It’s funny and strange at the same time.