Unearth the rich culinary traditions of Egypt as we unveil the national dishes that everyone needs to try. Will it be Ful Medames for breakfast or a sweet Umm Ali to finish? Decisions, decisions!
Table of contents
Many of us when coming to a new country always want to try something new, today we will talk about what national dishes of Egypt are definitely worth trying .
Introduction
Experiencing the unique taste of a country’s traditional food is like discovering an entirely new cultural narrative. Egypt, the cradle of civilization, has a vast culinary history that goes back thousands of years. Today, we dive headfirst into the world of Egyptian gastronomy, answering the question, “What national dishes of Egypt are definitely worth trying?”
National Dishes of Egypt: A Feast for the Senses
A nation’s dishes, in part, reflect its history, geography, and culture. To truly appreciate them, it is essential to dive deeper.
Ful Medames: Egypt’s Breakfast King
A staple in every Egyptian household, Ful medames is a fava bean dish often served with vegetable oil, cumin, and optionally with chopped parsley, garlic, onion, lemon juice, and chili pepper. A heart-warming start to your day?
Falafel
Falafel is a ground mass of chickpeas with spices rolled into lumps like meatballs and fried in vegetable oil.
The dish has a lot of protein needed by the body which is why vegetarians are very fond of this dish and the Egyptians regularly eat it.
Falafel is served as a separate dish and stuffed with tortillas. Served as a rule with thin sauce (sesame paste with spices and oil).
Hawawshi
Hawawshi is somewhat similar to our meat pie , the flatbread (pita) is stuffed with meat and fried. This dish can be found in almost all cafes and restaurants where there are national dishes of Egypt. The cost is about 20 pounds
Koshari: The National Dish
You should try this wonderful dish Koshari from the national delicacies of Egypt
Next on our list is Koshari, often considered the national dish of Egypt. It’s a delicious mix of rice, lentils, chickpeas, pasta, fried onions, and a vibrant tomato sauce. Simply put, it’s a bowl full of flavors!
The main ingredients of koshari are Macaroni, chickpeas, lentils with rice and fried onions .
Just a carbohydrate bomb, a very satisfying dish that is usually served in special mono restaurants.
The cost is about 20 Egyptian pounds per serving . At first glance it looks very strange but surprisingly delicious.
Egyptians eat it very often , as koshari gives you enough for quite a long time and is really a national dish of Egypt, probably like our dumplings ))
Stuffed pigeons or hamaam mahshi
The following is the national dish of Egypt, not for the impressionable.
No no, don’t be alarmed these are not the pigeons that fly around the streets and eat just about anything .
Pigeons for the national dish in Egypt are raised on special farms (dovecotes) where they are cared for in the same way as chickens .
In this dish, pigeons are stuffed with rice or bulgur, seasoned with cinnamon and other spices, and then fried on the grill or in the oven.
The dish is actually quite tasty , but in my opinion there is not enough meat in the Drone:). The cost is about 50-70 pounds per carcass.
Molokhia: The Green Soup
Molokhia, or Jew’s mallow soup, is a rich, green soup made from finely chopped Molokhia leaves cooked with garlic and coriander. Paired with bread or rice, it’s an experience in a bowl. Can you resist its intense flavor?
Umm Ali: A Sweet Finish
So To finish, why not try Umm Ali? Essentially an Egyptian bread pudding, Umm Ali consists of puff pastry, milk, double cream, nuts, and is often dusted with powdered sugar. Isn’t it a fantastic finale to an Egyptian meal?
Conclusion
Ready for a culinary adventure in Egypt? There are thousands of flavors waiting to be explored. So, the real question is – which of these national dishes of Egypt are you going to try first?