Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you planning a trip to Egypt? Then don’t forget to enjoy some traditional Egyptian Dishes, as without experiencing the authentic Egyptian food, your trip is never complete. Many travelers often mention that there is something special about discovering Egypt through its food. From a warm plate of Ful Medames in the morning to flavorful koshary and desserts, every dish tells a little story of the country’s culture and tradition.
If you are planning to sail on the Nile River, then a dahabiya cruise from Aswan to Luxor will give you plenty of opportunities to discover these flavors at a slower pace. While sailing, you can enjoy your meals while watching breathtaking views of historical monuments, villages, and palm trees. If you have booked your Nile cruise and are still wondering what dishes you can try there, then this guide will help you to discover some of the most delicious and traditional Egyptian foods.
Why Try Traditional Egyptian Food During a Nile Cruise?
Egyptian food is greatly influenced by its history and location (the northeastern corner of Africa and the Sinai Peninsula extending into Southwest Asia). Most of the authentic Egyptian dishes contain the same ingredients, including beans, lentils, cumin, coriander, and garlic.
While sailing with the dahabiya cruise from Luxor to Aswan, you will get a relaxing setting to enjoy these local flavors. Depending on your menu and cruise, you will get the chance to taste Ta’ameya, Ful Medames, fresh salads, Hawashi, Mahshi, and traditional Egyptian dishes. For many past travelers, trying local food becomes one of the most memorable parts of their journey. So while exploring the ancient history of Egypt, don’t forget to explore its food culture as well.
Top 15 Egyptian Dishes
Here are 15 traditional Egyptian dishes that every food-loving traveler should try during their Egypt trip.
Ful Medames: A traditional Egyptian breakfast
Ful Medames, sometimes also referred to as ful, is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that is made from fava beans. It is seasoned with ingredients such as olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices, and other vegetables, herbs, and spices, and is commonly served with pita bread in a large metal jug. It is an excellent option for travelers who prefer a savory breakfast. It is also a good choice for vegetarian travelers because fava beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein.
| Ful Medames | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredient | Fava beans, lemon juice, vegetable oil, and cumin. |
Koshari: Egypt’s famous comfort food
No Egyptian menu would be complete without Egypt’s national dish, Koshari. It is the most recognizable comfort food of the Egyptians, and it is made from rice, brown lentils, macaroni/pasta, chickpeas, vermicelli, and crispy fried onion. To make this simple dish more spicy and flavorful, a rich spiced tomato sauce and garlic-vinegar sauce are added. It is a perfect example of how Egyptians can turn simple cooked ingredients into a wholesome meal. This dish is widely served in the roadside stalls and restaurants of Egypt.
| Koshari | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Rice, lentils, macaroni/pasta, vermicelli, tomato sauce, vegetable oil, onions, cumin, and coriander |
Ta’amiya: Egyptian version of falafel
If you love eating falafel, then you should try Ta’amiya at least once; however, unlike falafel, it is made from soaked split fava beans mixed with fresh herbs. It is often served with bread, vegetables, salads, and dips. While traveling in Egypt, you can easily enjoy this food, as it is popularly served in the local markets.
| Ta’amiya | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Fava beans, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, and fresh green herbs. |
Hawawshi: A flavorful Egyptian stuffed bread
It is a popular Egyptian dish; it is made with minced meat mixed with onions, peppers, garlic, and spices. These are stuffed inside a piece of traditional Egyptian bread and then baked or grilled until the bread becomes crispy. You can find hawawshi easily in the local restaurants and food stalls across Egypt.
| Hawawshi | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Meat, onions, pepper, parsley, and sometimes hot peppers and chillies. |
Molokhia: a traditional Egyptian green soup
Molokhia is made from finely chopped jute leaves cooked with garlic, coriander, and a flavorful broth. It is commonly served with vermicelli rice and pieces of chicken or meat. It is a perfect choice for individuals who want to try something different from the usual Egyptian dishes.
| Molokhia | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Jute leaves, garlic, coriander, broth, rice, and chicken or meat. |
Fattah: A traditional Egyptian celebration dish
Fattah is a traditionally prepared dish of Egypt; it is especially prepared during festivals or other special occasions. It is made with layers of crispy or toasted bread, rice, meat, and vinegar sauce. It is a perfect dish for individuals who want to enjoy traditional Egyptian homestyle food.
| Fattah | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Crispy pita bread, white rice, meat, and a sharp garlic and vinegar sauce. |
Mahshi: stuffed Egyptian vegetables
Mahshi is a popular Egyptian and Middle Eastern dish that is made by stuffing vegetables with rice, herbs, and spices. It can be either vegetarian or non-vegetarian, so it is best to check with the restaurant or cruise chef if you want to try the vegetarian option.
| Mahshi | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Vegetables, rice, peppers, zucchini, fresh herbs, oil, or melted ghee, and ground meat (non-vegetarian Mahshi) |
Sayadeya: Egyptian fish with spiced rice
Sayadeya is a traditional Egyptian fish dish that is especially popular in coastal areas. The word “Sayadeya” is an Arabic word, that stands for “fisherman.” It consists of fried or baked fish that is served with rice, cooked with onions, and spices. It is a great option for travelers who enjoy seafood.
| Sayadeya | Information |
| Place of origin | Middle East |
| Main ingredients | Firm white fish, rice, fresh garlic, cumin, coriander, lemon juice, chilli, or green pepper. |
Kebda Iskandarani: Egyptian liver
Kebda Iskandarani is also known as Alexandrian liver. It is one of the famous Egyptian foods that is commonly served in the local markets. It is prepared with small pieces of beef with garlic, cumin, chili peppers, coriander, and vinegar. It is commonly served with Egyptian bread and sauces.
| Kebda | Information |
| Place of origin | Alexandria, Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Beef liver, garlic, peppers, cumin, chilli, and spices. |
Hamam Mahshi: Traditional Egyptian stuffed pigeon
Hamam Mahshi is a famous Egyptian dish that is made up of pigeon stuffed with spices. The word “Hamam Mahshi” is an Arabic word, which stands for “pigeon” and “stuffed,” respectively. It is considered a special dish in Egypt and is commonly served during celebrations and family gatherings.
| Hamam Mahshi | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Whole pigeon, short-grain rice, onion, cinnamon, black pepper, and herbs. |
Kebab: Grilled Egyptian meat
It is a popular dish in Egypt; it is usually prepared with pieces of seasoned meat placed on skewers and grilled over a fire. It is often served with bread, rice, and salads.
| Kebab | Information |
| Place of origin | Middle East |
| Main ingredients | Beef or lamb, onions, herbs, and spices. |
Kofta: Spiced minced meat
Kofta is another Egyptian meat dish that is prepared with minced meat, usually beef or lamb. The meat is mixed with onions, herbs, and spices and shaped into balls, patties, or long pieces before being grilled or cooked. It is often served with bread and rice, salad, or tahini sauce.
| Kofta | Information |
| Place of origin | Middle East |
| Main ingredients | Ground beef and lamb, onion, garlic, and spices. |
Traditional Egyptian Desserts to Try
Umm Ali
Umm Ali is the national dessert of Egypt; it is prepared with pieces of pastry, sugar, cream, raisins, milk, and nuts. All these ingredients are baked together and then served warm.
| Umm Ali | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Pastry, milk, sugar, cream, raisins, and nuts. |
Basbousa: a sweet Egyptian semolina cake
It is one of the most popular Egyptian desserts; it is prepared with semolina, sugar, butter, and yogurt or milk. After baking, the cake is soaked in the sweet syrup, and then it is topped with nuts. You can enjoy basbousa with tea.
| Basbousa | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Main ingredients | Semolina, sugar, butter, yogurt, milk, syrup, and nuts. |
Kunafa: A crispy Egyptian dessert
Kunafa is made with thin shredded pastry, a sweet filling, and sugar syrup. Depending on the recipe, it can be filled with cream, cheese, or nuts.
| Kunafa | Information |
| Place of origin | Egypt and the Middle East |
| Main ingredients | Shredded pastry, sugar syrup, cream, cheese, and nuts. |
Conclusion
However, Egypt is famous for its ancient monuments, temples, and the Nile River, but its food is another important part of the travel experience. Travelers can try plenty of flavors, from Ful Medames and Koshari to Hawashi, Mahshi, and Egyptian desserts.
A Dahabiya Nile cruise provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy the ancient Egyptian cuisine while sailing through the heart of Egypt. While cruising, you can relax on board, enjoy traditional meals, and take in the peaceful views of the Nile, villages, and sunsets.
If you are planning to explore Egypt at a slower pace, then the traditional Nile River boat can be a memorable way for you to experience its beauty. Swan Dahabiya offers a comfortable way to experience the Nile while discovering the beauty, history, and flavor of Egypt.
So if you are planning to explore Egypt, then don’t just explore the monuments; take some time and taste the authentic Egyptian food.