A Friendly Food Guide from Street Snacks to Family Favorites

If you ask most Egyptians what makes them feel at home, food will probably be at the top of the list. Our dishes are simple, full of flavor, and always shared — with friends, with family, and often with complete strangers.

So if you’re visiting Egypt, don’t stop at the hotel buffet. Try what we eat — the meals that bring people together from Cairo to Hurghada. Here’s a guide to some of the most loved Egyptian foods, where to try them, and what locals usually order.

Koshari – The People’s Favorite

This is Egypt’s comfort food. Koshari is a mix of rice, lentils, pasta, fried onions, chickpeas, and spicy tomato sauce. It sounds unusual, but it works — and it’s extremely filling. You’ll find it in small shops and street stands, especially in Cairo and Alexandria.

Most locals ask for extra crispy onions and a bit of the spicy vinegar sauce on top. It’s vegetarian, cheap, and very satisfying.

📍 Where to try: Street-side koshari shops or small local restaurants
🍽 What to ask for: “Koshari kebeer” (a large portion) with spicy sauce on the side

Taameya – Egyptian Falafel, but Better

Unlike the chickpea falafel common in other countries, our version is made with fava beans and herbs — which gives it a greener color and softer texture. Locals eat taameya stuffed in baladi bread (Egyptian pita) with salad, pickles, and sometimes a boiled egg.

It’s a breakfast favorite, but you’ll see it eaten all day long.

📍 Where to try: Small falafel shops or breakfast carts
🍽 What to ask for: “Taameya sandwich bel salaata wel torshi” (with salad and pickles)

Grilled Fish & Shrimp – Red Sea Style

If you’re in Hurghada or anywhere along the coast, don’t miss out on the fresh seafood. We usually grill the fish whole, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and spices, then serve it with rice, tahini, and salads.

Locals love sea bream (denis), mullet (bouri), and shrimp. And the best places don’t always look fancy — but the food speaks for itself.

📍 Where to try: Local seafood grills near the marina or in Dahar
🍽 What to ask for: “Samak meshwi” (grilled fish), “gambari” (shrimp)

Molokhia – The Dish You’ll Either Love or Avoid

This green soup made from jute leaves is sticky, garlicky, and very traditional. It’s usually served with rice and chicken or rabbit, and it’s one of those meals that reminds Egyptians of home.

Foreigners often find the texture surprising — but if you’re curious, give it a go. Locals often argue about whose mom makes it best.

📍 Where to try: Homemade-style restaurants
🍽 What to ask for: “Molokhia bel roz we ferakh” (with rice and chicken)

Kofta & Kebab – Grilled to Perfection

Walk past any busy Egyptian street in the evening and you’ll smell it: meat on the grill. Kofta (ground beef or lamb with spices) and kebab (grilled chunks of meat) are classic for lunch or dinner.

Served with warm bread, dips, and grilled veggies, this is a must-try for meat lovers.

📍 Where to try: Traditional meat grills (called kebabgy)
🍽 What to ask for: “Kofta we kabab mix” with tahini on the side

Finish with Tea or Sugarcane Juice

After a meal, we usually sit for tea — sometimes black, sometimes with mint, and always sweet. If you’re on the street, look for fresh sugarcane juice (asab) — refreshing and a little different from anything you’ve tried before.

Egyptian food isn’t about fancy ingredients. It’s about flavor, warmth, and sharing. When you sit down for a meal here, you’re not just eating — you’re being welcomed.

At 4 Angels Tours, we love introducing our guests to local places where the food is real, the prices are fair, and the atmosphere is relaxed. If you’re not sure what to order, we’ll help — or better yet, we’ll eat with you.