Quick verdict: Egyptian cuisine is ancient (5000+ years) + bread + beans + spices. Influenced by Mediterranean + Middle Eastern neighbors. This guide ranks 15 essential Egyptian foods.
The 15 best foods to eat in Egypt
Koshari
Rice + lentils + pasta + chickpeas + caramelized onions + tomato sauce + spicy vinegar. Egyptian national dish. Cheap + filling + vegetarian.
Ful Medames
Slow-cooked fava beans + olive oil + lemon + cumin + garlic. Egyptian breakfast staple. Eat with bread.
Tameya (Egyptian Falafel)
Egyptian falafel made with fava beans (not chickpeas). Greener inside + lighter than Levantine falafel. Street food staple.
Mahshi
Stuffed grape leaves + cabbage + bell peppers + zucchini with rice. Vegetarian or with meat. Egyptian comfort food.
Molokhia
Slimy green stew from jute leaves. With rice + bread + chicken or rabbit. Acquired texture but loved by Egyptians.
Hawawshi
Spiced minced meat baked inside flatbread. Like Egyptian street burger. Common lunch.
Egyptian Bread (Aish Baladi)
Flat round bread + pita-like. Eaten with everything. State-subsidized in Egypt. Best fresh from baladi bakeries.
Shawarma
Beef or chicken shawarma + tahini + tomato + pickles + fries in pita. Egyptian shawarma is bigger than Lebanese.
Konafa (Kunafa)
Cheese-filled shredded wheat + syrup. Hot + sweet. Different from Turkish künefe (Egyptian version is creamier).
Basbousa
Semolina cake soaked in syrup + topped with almonds + coconut. Egyptian sweet shop staple.
Egyptian Tea (Shai)
Black tea + mint + lots of sugar. Drunk all day. Saudi-style with cardamom is common.
Mahalabia
Rose-flavored milk pudding + pistachio. Refreshing summer dessert. Light + creamy.
Hamam Mahshi
Roasted pigeon stuffed with fareek (cracked wheat). Egyptian specialty. Less common at tourist spots.
Egyptian Pizza (Feteer)
Buttery flaky layered pastry + savory or sweet fillings. Bedouin tradition. Best in countryside.
Sahlab
Thick hot milk drink + orchid root + cinnamon + coconut + pistachio. Winter warming drink. Egyptian street food.
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Updated 2026. Some links on Packzup are affiliate links.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.