Egypt: Food

Egyptian food has changed over the years due its melting pot history and the influences from various countries such as Greece, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. It is well known that the ancient Egyptians loved food as large feasts and symbols of food are depicted all over the ancient Egyptian walls and temples. Bread, beer and salted fish were most commonly eaten by ancient Egyptians.

Today, Egyptian-style food is comprised mostly of bread, rice and beans. Meat is considered a luxury and used sparingly in small amounts and cooked with vegetables. Chicken and Lamb are the most commonly eaten meats. Hamaam (Pigeon) is considered a delicacy in Egypt, but beware, it is often served with its head attached and buried in stuffing.

If you are traveling on a tight budget it is a good thing food in Egypt is inexpensive. Most of the high end restaurants are located in nice hotels. For a more authentic trip, eat like the Egyptians eat and amerce yourself in their culture. Below are some tips on daily eating in Egypt… Egyptian-style!

Breakfast typically consists of beans, eggs, pickles, cheeses and jams. It is a light meal. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, like most European countries, and is followed by a siesta. This meal is likely to start around 2pm-5pm or if eating in a restaurant between 1pm-4pm. Dinner is another light meal typically consisting of leftovers from lunch or a sandwich. Dinner is served between 8pm-midnight!

Snack Bars:
Snack bars are little stands that run along the streets of Egypt and many Egyptians choose to eat from for any meal of the day. It is the most “real” way to eat like an Egyptian. They resemble a fast-food type stand and are a quick and inexpensive way to grab a traditional meal. Beware that health standards in Egypt are not the same as they are in the US, so research your food stands carefully before eating anything from them. These stands are very crowded around meal times.


Traditional Foods/dishes:
• Pita bread is popular and is eaten at any meal and made into sandwiches for lunch
• Ful beans (bean paste) This is the most commonly eaten bean and the paste made from it is used in everything. For breakfast it is boiled with veggies, mashed with onions, tomatoes and spices and served with eggs. This similar paste is used to stuff pita bread and make a sandwich and for dinner is often made into patties and deep fried.
• Kushari- macaroni, lentils, chick peas, chili sauce, onions and bean paste mixed together make this very traditional and almost famous Egyptian dish.
• Fatayeer- Pancakes made with different fillings.
• Muzagga- The Egyptian form of Greek Moussaka.
• Desserts are usually drenched in honey syrup and are very very sweet!

Please remember to be careful while enjoying the various flavors and cuisines Egypt has to offer. It might be a good idea to start slow before diving into all the eclectic foods Egyptians are accustomed to eating. Always drink bottled water that has an un-cracked seal. Also, if you can peel it, you can eat it. Try to stick to that rule when eating fruits. Additionally, make sure your foods are thoroughly cooked and hot before eating.

Keep in mind Passport Health is a great resource to purchase a water filtration kit and diarrhea kits to help ease the tummy troubles.