Egypt is one of the best places to visit in the entire world. Millions of travelers head there yearly to explore Egypt, which has a rich history and unique places. From the Pyramids to the museums, Egypt has everything any country might need to be a great tourist attraction. But Egypt’s beauty doesn’t stop at the many places you can visit. There are also unique Egyptian dishes and food that you will fall in love with. Part of Egypt’s amazing dishes is essential street food. We gathered the top street foods in Egypt to help you navigate Egypt’s culinary scene.
All the street foods we will mention are favorites to millions of Egyptians; they could become your favorite, too. These dishes are not just delicious but also part of Egypt’s history. Some of them have been invented in Egypt and existed for several years. Each dish mentioned in our list of top street foods in Egypt is unique and probably differs from anything you have tasted. So here are the top street foods in Egypt you must know about and hopefully try one day.
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Fuul
The first food in our list of the top street foods in Egypt is the most popular, fuul. It is considered a national dish in Egypt that everyone has eaten at least once. Many Egyptians even eat fuul every day for breakfast. The wide popularity of this dish makes it very accessible, and you can find it anywhere in Egypt. So you won’t have to go to a fancy place to look for it. What exactly is fuul, though? Well, fuul is cooked fava beans mixed with spices and many other things. Egyptian fuul is very special and also tasty. Depending on their preferences, some add different ingredients, such as eggs or tomatoes.
How you eat fuul won’t change how delicious it tastes. Some eat it without bread, and many eat it with pitta bread. Another amazing thing about fuul is that it isn’t expensive, which is the case for many street foods in Egypt. So your budget won’t be affected that much if you try fuul. Not to mention that this particular dish is very nutritious and filled with proteins. Therefore, you will be satisfied after trying it and won’t be hungry for a decent time. You can find fuul served in street cars and also in many restaurants. Our only tip is that some restaurants that serve fuul make it expensive, so we would recommend trying a food cart instead.
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Egyptian Falafel (Taameya)
Next on our list of top street foods in Egypt is Egyptian falafel, also known as taameya. This dish goes hand in hand with full, meaning they are mostly served together. However, some people prefer one over the other. A unique thing about taameya is that it is a traditional Egyptian dish; most historians agree that its origins are Egyptian. So, you will eat a dish that is part of Egyptian culinary history. What makes Egyptian falafel different from others is that Egyptians mix it with fava beans, which only makes it taste even better.
Like with fuul, taameya is mostly eaten using bread as people make it into sandwiches. Along with the usage of fava beans, sometimes you will find sesame on top of taameya. This unique mixture of ingredients makes taameya utterly different from the falafel cooked in other countries. Egyptians also eat falafel, or taameya, for breakfast. It is not expensive, especially if you eat from food carts instead of restaurants. Whether you eat fuul and taameya together or not, you will love both dishes.
Mulukhiyah
The next street food dish is not exactly a breakfast option, but it is still delicious. I’m talking about mulukhiyah or molokhia (whatever you choose to call it). In Egypt, many consider mulukhiyah a soup, so it is more of a side dish than a main course. It is made of the plant mulukhiyah, hence the name, and you can eat it with either bread or rice. In Western countries, the main ingredient is jute leaves; Egyptians call it mulukhiyah. So keep this in mind when you search for it.
While Egyptians love mulukhiyah, not everyone else agrees. Some people don’t like how this dish has a slimy feeling. Others, however, don’t find this a problem, especially since mulukhiyah smells amazing. Most of the time, mulukhiyah is served with chicken. You can eat it independently, though, and it will taste great. Give it a try, and you may find a new favorite dish.
Koshary
This next dish undoubtedly belongs to the top street foods in Egypt. It’s called koshary, one of the most popular dishes in Egypt. There are restaurants and food carts dedicated to only serving koshary. What exactly is koshary, though? Koshary mixes spaghetti, rice, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions, and tomato sauce. The ingredients differ depending on where it is sold. For example, Cairo makes koshary differently than Alexandria; it still tastes great in both cities.
Koshary is not that expensive despite the many ingredients it contains. Remember that prices differ from place to place, just like all the dishes we mentioned. The best part about koshary is that it is filled with proteins and is considered an entire meal. One dish of koshary can keep your hunger away for a decent amount of time. Some people, however, can’t get enough of the delicious treat that is koshary and might need more than one dish. You will find out which group you fit into once you eat koshary for the first time.
Aish Baladi
Our next suggestion for top street foods in Egypt isn’t exactly a dish; it’s a type of bread. While foreigners call it pita bread, Egyptians know it as aish baladi. This kind of bread can be enjoyed independently or added to another dish. Egyptians depend on aish baladi daily, especially since they always use it during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can eat fuul and falafel using aish baladi too!
Aish baladi is also very special to Egyptians and their history since it has been part of their lives for decades. It has become an essential part of the food they consume, and it helps that it is also delicious. You can use aish baladi to eat different kinds of food, including cheese, for example, or even mulukhiyah. This kind of bread is made of wheat flour and is something you must try when visiting Egypt. You will enjoy it more if it is warm. Not to mention that the smell of aish baladi is mouth-watering, and you probably won’t be able to resist it. You will find it all over Egypt, whether in bakeries or food carts. So you won’t have to worry about not being able to try it.
Om Ali
The top street foods in Egypt don’t only include breakfast or lunch; desserts are also common. One of these desserts is Om Ali, a kind of bread pudding that almost all Egyptians love. It includes milk, and people usually add nuts, raisins, and coconut flakes to its surface to make it even more delicious.
While bread pudding is common in other countries, Egypt’s Om Ali is lighter in texture. A fun fact about Om Ali is the origin of its name. The most popular explanation is that the popular dessert is named after the first wife of Izz al-Dib Aybak. He was a sultan in 13th-century Egypt. The words “Om Ali” actually mean Ali’s mother. No matter the origin of Om Ali, you have to try it.
Mahshi
This next dish isn’t a dessert at all, but it is still a must-try. I’m talking about mahshi, which became so popular and loved in Egypt that people started to consider it a street food. It is, however, served in restaurants more than at food carts. What is mahshi? Mahshi is done in different ways and is of various kinds. For example, one kind of mahshi uses cabbage rolls, filled with rice mixed with spices and other ingredients such as cilantro and onion.
Mahshi can also be done using peppers, zucchini, grape leaves, and other ingredients, not just cabbage rolls. It is a heavy dish, so you might not be hungry after a few bites. The word “mahshi” basically means “stuffed,” which explains how this dish is made. While mahshi is usually a vegetarian dish, sometimes people add minced meat to it. Therefore, ask before buying from a place if the mahshi served there includes meat. One thing for sure is whether meat is added or not, mahshi is one of the best foods in Egypt.
Kebab and Kofta
The next dish on our list of top street foods in Egypt is the perfect recommendation for meat lovers. This dish is called Kebab and Kofta, and it consists of meat mixed with spices. The mixture is then added to metal skewers and cooked using a grill, which adds to its heavenly taste. This street food is quite popular in Egypt, and once you taste it, you will realize why it deserves its popularity.
You can easily find Kebabs and Kofta at restaurants and street vendors. The price differs depending on the spot you pick since the quality might also vary. The grilled taste of Kebabs and Kofta, mixed with the many spices added to the meat, makes this dish something you must try. While many countries serve Kebabs and Kofta, Egyptians will argue that they are the best at making it. Maybe try it and decide for yourself.
Shawarma
Our next recommendation for the top street foods in Egypt is shawarma. While shawarma is a Middle Eastern food, Egyptians found a way to make their version of it. Shawarma is made of meat that is cooked using a rotating skewer. The type of meat used to make shawarma differs from place to place. Some types of shawarma are made of lamb, turkey, beef, or chicken. The chosen meat is then placed on the skewer and slow-cooked until its taste becomes irreplaceable. After the meat is cooked, other ingredients get added to it, such as tomatoes, onion, and more. The mixture is then spread across flatbread before being wrapped and served.
Shawarma sandwiches are quite popular in Egypt as people enjoy eating them while walking and going to their destination. With shawarma, you will find it is served at food carts rather than fancy restaurants. Small joints even dedicate themselves to serving just shawarma; they have perfected it. There is no doubt that shawarma has become a comfort food to many, and with how good it tastes, this is not a surprise. It is possible that once you try shawarma, it will also become your comfort food.
Feteer
Next up on our list of top street foods in Egypt is feteer. Feteer is made up of batter; after it is cooked, you can fill it with different ingredients. Many people enjoy putting powdered sugar on feteer as the sugary taste mixed with the taste of feteer is a match made in heaven. The size of each piece of feteer differs depending on your preferences. So, it could be small, medium, or large enough that you would need to cut it into smaller pieces.
Another ingredient you can add to feteer is cheese; this is one of the most popular additions to feteer and is a favorite of many. Some more ideas on eating feteer include adding honey or Nutella if you prefer the sweet side. If you want something different, then you can try feteer that has sausages or meat in it. The best part is that no matter what fillings or toppings you add to feteer, it always tastes good. Trust us on that.
Roz Bel Laban
Another dessert we have to mention is roz bel laban. What exactly is this dessert? Roz bel laban is like a rice pudding but has milk in it, too. The ingredients usually include sugar, cinnamon, butter, and other delicious stuff. You can add toppings such as raisins and nuts, depending on your preferences.
You won’t be too restricted when eating this mouth-watering dessert since it can be served warm or cold, although most people prefer it cold. If you have never liked rice pudding, we recommend giving Roz Bel Laban a chance. It’s different; to some, it is better than rice pudding, so you might change your mind when you try it.
Baba Ganoush
The next recommendation is not exactly a dish, but it’s more of a dipping dish. You will find it accompanied by most street foods in Egypt. I’m talking about Baba Ganoush, one of Egypt’s most popular dips. Baba Ganoush is made of roasted eggplant mashed and added to tahini, garlic, olive oil, spices, herbs, and lemon juice.
The smoky flavor of the roasted eggplant makes this dip special and easy to love. Since Baba Ganoush is used as a side dish to dip the main dish, it is usually served cold. It’s perfect for vegetarians. Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, try dipping other dishes in Baba Ganoush, and you will find out what all the hype is about.
Kebda Iskandarani
The next dish on our top street foods in Egypt is mostly found in Alexandria. This dish is called Kebda Iskandarani, and kebda means liver. Kebda is done in many ways, but the most popular is Kebda Iskandarani. You will find it almost everywhere in Alexandria, Egypt, and the moment the smell hits you, it will almost be like you were mesmerized.
The ingredients of Kebda Iskandarani include liver, spices, garlic, chili peppers, cardamom, lemon, and more, depending on how it is made in different areas. The liver gets fried, and you will have delicious Kebda Iskandarani sandwiches after all the ingredients are added. You can find this dish in small shops and street food carts. While it is a specialty of Alexandria, you can find it in some places in the rest of Egypt. Whether you choose to eat Kebda Iskandarani with aish baladi, pasta, or rice, this street food is one of a kind.
Kunafa
We can never get enough desserts sold on Egyptian streets, so we had to add kunafa, or knafeh, to our list. Kunafa is one of the most delicious desserts you can enjoy while walking the streets of Egypt. Many years ago, kunafa was usually made during Ramadan. However, people can eat it throughout the year since many food carts and restaurants serve it. You can also find it in bakeries.
Kunafa is made of kataifi, which is a kind of dough. This dessert is served in different ways. Sometimes, people add cream cheese to it. Others prefer to add pudding. One thing to know about kunafa is that it is sugary mainly since it is drenched in some sugar syrup; this is the best part for many Egyptians. Our advice for you is not to get addicted to kunafa because the amount of sugar shouldn’t become a habit. You should, however, eat kunafa at least once in your life.
Hawawshi
Now, it would have been a crime to talk about the top street foods in Egypt without mentioning hawawshi. Hawawshi can only be described as mouth-watering. It is basically a meat pie, but it’s done in the Egyptian way. The ingredients used in hawawshi are minced meat, spices, onions, and others depending on what you prefer. The mixed meat is then added between two layers of dough and then it gets baked.
The result is something out of this world. Hawawshi is usually cut into slices so it can be quickly eaten, which makes sense considering that it is a street food. With the first bite of this crispy masterpiece, you will understand why people can’t resist eating hawawshi. You won’t have to worry about not finding hawawshi since you will see how many spots in Egypt serve it.
Is Street Food in Egypt Safe?
You might be asking yourself if street food there is even safe. We can answer this question quickly by saying that street food in Egypt is safe to eat. There are, however, some street food spots that aren’t good for you. Therefore, you have to know how to pick the right spot. For starters, don’t go to a place with a small crowd. If you find that this spot rarely has people buying from it, this is probably for a good reason. Also, avoid raw street foods and choose cooked ones instead; this decreases the possibility of the food being bad.
Our next advice is probably common sense, but we must say it: Check if the place looks clean. The cleanliness of any place indicates whether the food served there is also clean. If you find a place on Google or any social media, check the reviews; reviews could tell you a lot about where you are heading. While our tips seem like a lot, you should follow them anywhere, not just in Egypt. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
By now, you know all about the top street foods in Egypt. We shared with you 15 street foods that you can easily find in Egypt. Each food we mentioned is different from the others and has something that makes it unique. From breakfast food to lunch and dinner food and even dips and desserts, our list will help you navigate the culinary scene in Egyptian streets. Instead of only eating at fancy restaurants, you can try authentic Egyptian food that tastes more than delicious.
