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.
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.
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.