Watch a koshari cook work and it looks like a magic trick. A metal bowl, a scoop of rice, a scoop of lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, a ladle of red sauce, a handful of crispy onions, all in seconds, with a clang of the spoon on the rim between each layer.
Koshari is Egypt’s national street food: rice, brown lentils and pasta topped with a spiced tomato sauce, chickpeas and crispy fried onions, finished with garlic-vinegar sauce (da’a) and chilli (shatta). In Cairo you eat it at dedicated koshari shops, and Abou Tarek in Downtown Cairo is the most famous. It is cheap, filling and vegetarian, and in Egypt, a Muslim-majority country, it is halal by default. In 2026 a bowl costs roughly EGP 40–120, depending on size and shop.
This guide explains the layers, how to order and season it, where to go, other Egyptian street food, prices and the Egyptian Arabic you need.
Where koshari came from
Koshari became a Cairo staple in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many food historians link its name and idea to khichri, the rice-and-lentil dish of South Asia, possibly brought by travellers and soldiers, while Italian influence may explain the pasta.
Whatever the history, it is now thoroughly Egyptian: cheap, meatless food for workers, students and families.
The layers
| Layer | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Rice | The base |
| Brown lentils | Earthy protein, often cooked with the rice |
| Macaroni and vermicelli | Chew and bulk |
| Chickpeas | Nutty bite |
| Spiced tomato sauce | Tangy, a little sweet, with cumin |
| Crispy fried onions | Crunch and sweetness; the best part for many |
| Da’a | Garlic and vinegar sauce, sharp and bright |
| Shatta | Hot chilli sauce; use carefully |
How to order and eat it
- Choose a size: small (soghayar), medium or large (kebir). A small is filling.
- Ask for extra onions if you like them.
- At the table, add da’a and shatta from the bottles to taste.
- Mix everything together before eating.
- Eat with a spoon. Wash it down with water or a fresh juice.
Halal note: koshari is vegetarian, with no meat or alcohol, and Egypt is a Muslim-majority country where halal is the norm. The fried onions are cooked in vegetable oil. It is one of the easiest street foods in the world for Muslim travellers. See our halal food travel guide.
Where to eat it in Cairo
- Abou Tarek, Downtown Cairo – a multi-storey koshari institution open for decades; the busiest and most famous.
- Koshari chains – several local chains have branches across Cairo, clean and quick.
- Neighbourhood koshari shops – look for a big steel counter, stacked pots and a crowd.
Most shops open from late morning until late at night. Check hours in Ramadan, when many open around sunset.
Other Egyptian street food
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Ful medames | Slow-cooked fava beans with oil, cumin and lemon; the classic breakfast |
| Ta’meya | Egyptian falafel made from fava beans, green inside with herbs |
| Hawawshi | Bread stuffed with spiced minced meat and baked |
| Feteer meshaltet | Flaky layered pastry, sweet or savoury |
| Molokhia | A green soup of jute leaves, often with rice |
| Asab and karkade | Fresh sugarcane juice and hibiscus tea |
What it costs (2026)
| Order | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Small koshari | About EGP 40–70 |
| Large koshari | About EGP 70–120 |
| Ful or ta’meya sandwich | About EGP 10–30 |
| Sugarcane juice | About EGP 15–30 |
Prices in Egypt change quickly with inflation; treat these as a guide. Plan your trip with the Egypt food budget calculator and read tipping in Egypt.
Egyptian Arabic for the koshari shop
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Waḥid koshari soghayar | One small koshari |
| Waḥid kebir | One large |
| Basal ziyada | Extra onions |
| Min gheir shatta | Without chilli |
| Bikam? | How much? |
| Shukran | Thank you |
Frequently asked questions
What is koshari?
An Egyptian dish of rice, lentils and pasta topped with tomato sauce, chickpeas, crispy onions, garlic-vinegar sauce and chilli.
Is koshari halal?
Yes. It is vegetarian and served in a Muslim-majority country.
Where is the best koshari in Cairo?
Abou Tarek in Downtown Cairo is the most famous; local chains and neighbourhood shops are also excellent.
Is koshari vegan?
Usually, yes: it contains no meat, eggs or dairy. Ask about the cooking fat if you are strict.
More from the region: seafood in Alexandria, Nubian food in Aswan and tagine in Casablanca. See all Egypt food guides.
Sources
- Egypt Travel – official tourism site.
- Koshary.
