A fascinating country where the Middle East and northeast Africa converge, Egypt is an Arab nation with a rich cultural heritage, boasting of the iconic pyramids and millennia-old structures. It is an ideal travel destination for all type of tourists, whether you are a historian, an adventure seeker, a beachgoer, or a regular Tom who like sightseeing and spending quality time with his loved ones. Aside from the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt is where you’ll find the Nile River. Besides the stunning cities, marvelous landmarks, and luxurious resorts, its delicious local cuisine attracts people from around the world. If you are planning to visit this Arabian country anytime soon, these are the top street food you must try in Egypt.
1. Kushari (mix of rice, macaroni, and lentils)
If you are planning to explore the beautiful country of Egypt anytime soon, be sure to try its delicious local eats as well. If you agree with the idea, add the delicious Kushari to your list of must-try Egyptian specialties. Created in the 19th-century, this flavorful dish is a plate full of various ingredients that, when combined, creates a meal bursting with flavor. Its main ingredients include macaroni, regular rice, and lentils. Also, it is mixed with other spices, such as vinegar juice, crispy fried onions, tomato sauce, and bits of garlic.
2. Fuul (fava bean stew)
Do you like beans dishes? If so, be sure to try Fuul when you visit Egypt. Also called Ful medames, this stew is a popular Egyptian delicacy that is served in every restaurant and laid back eatery in the country. If you are wondering what it is like, it is a mixture of fava beans, cumin, vegetable oil, some parsley, lemon juice, onion, vegetables, and a lot more spices, slow-cooked in a pot for hours. This dish is often eaten during breakfast but because of popular demand, you can order it in restaurants at lunch and even dinner.
3. Egyptian roasted chicken
Craving for some roasted fare? No need to worry because Egypt has a traditional dish called Egyptian roasted chicken. Just like other varieties of roasted chicken, this one is cooked in an oven or a pan. What makes it different from the others, and authentic to the Egyptian culture, is that it is boiled with honey and salt until the chicken meat absorbs the flavor, and heated in an oven or a pan. Then it is marinated in a mixture of oil, cumin, and garlic, overnight. The flavor completely depends on the period of marination.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Pita bread
One popular food item that rings a bell in your head when you think of Egypt is pita bread. Some enjoy it as it is, while others put various toppings and spread or accompaniments to go with it. This is ideal for people who are concerned about their health. Pita bread, unlike most other flatbreads, are usually made from organic whole wheat. Most other varieties make use of flour as its main ingredient. Interestingly, this bread is called ‘diet bread by locals because of its thin appearance. When you try some, you might want to pair it with traditional Egyptian cheese and a glass of milk.
5. Kofta kebab
Who doesn’t love kebabs, its tender meat, and juiciness? If you are one of the many people who have a soft spot for kebabs, you might want to taste the palatable kofta kebab while on a vacation in Egypt. This Mediterranean dish uses lamb as its main ingredient. Its flavor comes from a marinade of onions, garlic, cinnamon, parsley, cumin ginger, pepper, and other spices. Compared to the very similar doner kebab, kofta kebabs are grilled horizontally, just like a regular barbecue.
6. Falafel (deep-fried vegetarian patty)
Another delicious street food that is easily accessible wherever you are in Egypt is the falafel. For those who have no idea what a falafel is, it is like a meatball. Only that, it is made from a patty of fava beans and chickpeas. Most falafels are round in shape, while some eateries serve them in flat oval shape. To enjoy this mouthwatering Egyptian fare, dip it into sour cream or a sweet and sour salsa.
7. Mombar mahshy (stuffed beef sausage)
You can not end your Egyptian adventure without getting to sink your teeth into the flavorful Mombar Mahshy. It is a delicious fare that meat lovers will surely add to their list of favorite foods. In English, mombar mahshy is a stuffed beef sausage. This food is available everywhere in Egypt, but if you wish to make your own, you have to mix the beef with flour, salt, pepper, chopped parsley, ground cardamom, spices, and oil, altogether. Put in a sausage casing and refrigerate until molded. Next course of action is to fry it until its color turns golden brown.
8. Mahshi (veggies stuffed with rice)
Are you a vegan by heart or a regular Tom who eats what he likes? Well, whatever box you put yourself into, you should try the delicious mahshi street food when you visit Egypt. This dish originated long ago, during the Ottoman era of the country. Its main ingredients are typically squash and zucchini. This dish is cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce that is mixed with various vegetables and spices, such as baby aubergine, onions, tomatoes, Egyptian brown rice, peppers, and herbs.
9. Feteer meshaltet (flaky layered pastry)
Complete your food crawl by sampling the delicious feteer, and satisfy your sweet tooth. Also called feteer meshaltet, this Egyptian pastry showcases a flaky texture. It is made of a multitude of layers of dough that is almost pie-like, combined with ghee (clarified butter) and fillings of your choice. Most of the time, you’ll can a feteer from local eateries and food stalls in Egypt. They are available in both sweet and savory tastes.
10. Egyptian shawarma
The last but definitely not the least on this list of delicious local fares to try in Egypt is no other than, the Egyptian shawarma. Just like other varieties of shawarmas, the Egyptian variety is made from flavorful marinated meat cutlet, heated on a vertical rotating grill. You can choose between beef, pork, or chicken. Also, you can choose whether you want it in steamed pita bread or with freshly cooked rice.
Sample Egypt's delicious local eats
Egypt is no doubt a gorgeous country that is worth a visit. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning cities, iconic landmarks, and delicious local cuisine, there is a lot that awaits tourists in this breathtaking country. If you are planning to explore Egypt any time soon, aside from sightseeing, be sure to try as many of its authentic traditional dishes as possible. Use this list as your guide in planning an all-inclusive food crawl.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
-
-
-
12 Best Cafes in Zamalek, CairoMelanie -
-
-
-
-
Create an account to