Egyptian Koshari: Egypt’s National Dish

Koshari is the ultimate Egyptian comfort food. Whether it’s a family recipe, or a bustling Cairo street vendor, Koshari never disappoints. If there’s one food all Egyptians cherish, it’s this.

Believed to have originated in the 19th century, this vegetarian street food staple is made of rice, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with delicious fried onions and a spicy tomato-based garlicky sauce.

The crowning aspect of this dish is the flavor-packed, spicy tomato sauce. It’s made with a special spice blend called Baharat (Arabic for “spice”), an all-purpose spice blend commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Just a pinch adds depth and flavor to sauces, soups, stews and meat.