Food has been at the centre of Egyptian culture since ancient times - Archaeologists have proven that the workers of ancient Egypt who toiled to build the pyramids were paid in bread, beer and onions. Today, Egyptian street food has been exported all over the world but the best place to try it is still on the streets of Egypt. Here are 5 street food favorites:
Kushari
Sometimes hailed as the king of Egyptian street food, this mixture of rice, macaroni and lentils topped with a tomato and vinegar sauce has become a staple of not just Cairo, but the global street food scene. It began life as a humble workman’s lunch designed to give the maximum bang for your buck. If you can’t make it to Egypt on holiday this year, you’ll find this one on the menu of every hipster restaurant from here to Shoreditch.
Ful Medames
This healthy and refreshing dish made from fava beans cooked with a variety of fresh herbs and aromatic spices can be found all over North East Africa. It is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt has been a staple of Cairo cuisine ever since. Fava beans are really healthy and the combination of spices used in this dish really jazzes them up.
Grilled Corn
All through the summer on the streets of Cairo, you’ll find sellers peddling fresh ears of grilled corn. The local corn is char grilled over hot coals until blackened and barbecued. The flavour produced is a deliciously nutty – a great snack when you’re walking around this bustling city.
Tamiya
Often devoured at breakfast time in Cairo, this street food favourite is another ingenious way to eat fava beans – the falafel. If you don’t know what a falafel is where have you been hiding? These tasty vegetarian patties can be found as an alternative to meat in almost every shop everywhere!!! Taamiya is basically a falafel with humus and veggies served in a pitta – you might have had something similar before but it won’t taste as good as a Cairo special.
Kofta
This dish can be made with either ground beef or lamb and the recipe used will vaary depending on which restaurant or vendor you go to. The standard take on a kofta features chopped onions, garlic and parsley thrown in with the ground meat using a little bit of oil. If you are walking through a food market on Cairo, you will spot kofta quite easily because of their distinctive 'finger' shape. This is a nice one to cook at home if you can't afford the plane ticket to Egypt.
If you are thinking about Egypt holidays this year, one thing is for sure, you will be well fed! And of course it goes without saying that travelling to Egypt brings you face to face with some of the most interesting and important historical sites in the world. Take a closer look at what this country has to offer in 2016 and follow your stomach on holiday this year.
(Photo by tinou via Flickr)
Article written by Megan
Sometimes hailed as the king of Egyptian street food, this mixture of rice, macaroni and lentils topped with a tomato and vinegar sauce has become a staple of not just Cairo, but the global street food scene. It began life as a humble workman’s lunch designed to give the maximum bang for your buck. If you can’t make it to Egypt on holiday this year, you’ll find this one on the menu of every hipster restaurant from here to Shoreditch.
Ful Medames
This healthy and refreshing dish made from fava beans cooked with a variety of fresh herbs and aromatic spices can be found all over North East Africa. It is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt has been a staple of Cairo cuisine ever since. Fava beans are really healthy and the combination of spices used in this dish really jazzes them up.
Grilled Corn
All through the summer on the streets of Cairo, you’ll find sellers peddling fresh ears of grilled corn. The local corn is char grilled over hot coals until blackened and barbecued. The flavour produced is a deliciously nutty – a great snack when you’re walking around this bustling city.
Tamiya
Often devoured at breakfast time in Cairo, this street food favourite is another ingenious way to eat fava beans – the falafel. If you don’t know what a falafel is where have you been hiding? These tasty vegetarian patties can be found as an alternative to meat in almost every shop everywhere!!! Taamiya is basically a falafel with humus and veggies served in a pitta – you might have had something similar before but it won’t taste as good as a Cairo special.
Kofta
This dish can be made with either ground beef or lamb and the recipe used will vaary depending on which restaurant or vendor you go to. The standard take on a kofta features chopped onions, garlic and parsley thrown in with the ground meat using a little bit of oil. If you are walking through a food market on Cairo, you will spot kofta quite easily because of their distinctive 'finger' shape. This is a nice one to cook at home if you can't afford the plane ticket to Egypt.
If you are thinking about Egypt holidays this year, one thing is for sure, you will be well fed! And of course it goes without saying that travelling to Egypt brings you face to face with some of the most interesting and important historical sites in the world. Take a closer look at what this country has to offer in 2016 and follow your stomach on holiday this year.
(Photo by tinou via Flickr)
Article written by Megan
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