Cairo, Egypt · food guide
What Is Koshari?
Koshari (also spelled koshary or kushari) is Egypt's national dish, a bowl that layers rice, brown lentils and a few kinds of pasta, tops it with chickpeas, a spiced tomato sauce and a heap of crispy fried onions, then gets finished at the table with two sauces: a sharp garlic-vinegar (da'a) and a fiery chili (shatta). It's cheap, deeply filling, completely vegan, and sold on nearly every street in Cairo.
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It started as humble, carb-rich working-class food and became the thing all of Egypt eats, students, office workers, families, everyone.
What's actually in koshari?
- Rice and brown (or black) lentils
- Macaroni and other small pasta (often ditalini), plus vermicelli
- Chickpeas
- Spiced tomato sauce
- Crispy fried onions, the crown, and the best part
- Garlic-vinegar (da'a) and chili (shatta), added to taste
There's no meat and no animal fat in the classic recipe, it's a vegetarian and vegan staple by design.
Is koshari halal? Is it vegan?
Koshari is vegan by default, no meat, eggs or dairy, which also makes it halal: there's no pork or alcohol anywhere near it. It's one of the most reliable meals in Egypt for vegetarians, vegans and anyone eating halal.
How to eat it like a local
Mix the whole bowl together so every spoonful gets onions, sauce and pasta. Start with a little da'a and shatta, taste, then add more, the garlic-vinegar is what makes it sing. Eat it fast and hot.
Where to eat koshari in Cairo
- Koshary Abou Tarek (Downtown), the most famous koshari house in Cairo, a multi-floor institution and a near-mandatory first stop.
- Zööba, a modern Egyptian chain that does a polished version alongside other street-food classics.
- Neighbourhood koshari shops, they're everywhere, and many are excellent.
Hours and details change, confirm on-site.
More Cairo food guides: see what to eat in Cairo for the full picture, plus hawawshi and Cairo street food.
Want a local to lead you to the koshari houses worth the visit? A guided Cairo food walk is an easy way in, browse Cairo food tours on GetYourGuide.
FAQ
What is koshari made of?
Rice, brown lentils, macaroni and other small pasta, and chickpeas, topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions, then finished with garlic-vinegar and chili.
Is koshari vegan?
Yes, the classic recipe contains no meat, eggs or dairy. It's one of the most dependable vegan meals in Egypt.
Is koshari halal?
Yes, it has no pork, meat or alcohol at all, so it's halal by default.
Where is the best koshari in Cairo?
Koshary Abou Tarek downtown is the famous institution; Zööba does a well-regarded modern version; and neighbourhood koshari shops across the city are excellent.
Koshari is vegan and halal by default. Cairo's everyday food is overwhelmingly halal; the rare exceptions (pork, alcohol) sit at some Western, hotel and Nile-cruise venues. Restaurant hours and details change, confirm on-site.
Restaurants are chosen for quality and reputation. If you follow a specific diet, or want to know whether any dish or drink contains alcohol, please check directly with the venue.
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