It is common knowledge that Egypt is famous for its meat dishes. However, the country also has a rich traditional vegetarian cuisine that dates back thousands of years. This includes foods made from legumes, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Here are the most famous local Vegetarian meals:
1. Koshari/ Koshary (a mix of Macaroni, Rice, and Lentils)
Koshari is a popular vegetarian Egyptian dish that’s made with rice, macaroni, lentils, and chickpeas. It’s often served with garlic sauce on top. Koshari can be served as a main dish or as a side dish in small portions at any time of day–for breakfast or lunch/dinner!
This traditional Egyptian food was originally prepared by street vendors who would cook it over fires in their carts. It has since been adopted by many home cooks and restaurants around the world because it’s so delicious!
2. Ful medames (Stewed Fava Beans)
Ful medames (also known as ful) is a traditional Egyptian food that has been around for centuries. It’s made with fava beans, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, and it’s delicious and vegetarian!
Ful medames is also a popular street food in Egypt and can be found at many restaurants throughout the country. The dish is often served with pita bread or rice on the side to soak up all those delicious juices from your plate. If you’re looking for an easy way to get your protein fix without sacrificing taste or flavor then this is definitely one of those dishes you should try out!
3. Taameya (Egyptian Falafel)
Taameya is a vegetarian Egyptian food that is made from ground chickpeas or fava beans with spices. It’s served with salads and tahini sauce. This street food can be found all over Egypt and is very popular among locals as well as tourists who are looking for something tasty to eat while on vacation in Egypt.
4. Molokhiya (Jute Soup)
Molokhiya is a green leafy vegetable that is eaten as soup. It’s believed that molokhiya is good for pregnant women because it helps them to have a healthy baby. You can find this dish in most Egyptian restaurants or homes, especially on the weekends when families get together and enjoy each other’s company over food.
5. Mahshy (Stuffed Vegies: Stuffed Grape Leaves & Cabbage)
Mahshy is a traditional Egyptian dish made of stuffed vegetables. The most popular version of mahshy is stuffed grape leaves, but other versions include cabbage and eggplant. It’s usually served as a side dish to rice or bread, though it can be eaten alone as well.
Mahshy can be eaten at any time of day; however, it is most commonly eaten at breakfast with eggs (you may have heard this called shakshuka). In fact, many people in Egypt eat mahshy every morning!
6. Roz Bel Laban (Sweet Rice Pudding)
Rice pudding is a traditional Egyptian dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar. It’s served warm or cold with syrup or honey and cinnamon; sometimes nuts are also added to the mix for extra flavor. You can even top it off with pistachios!
7. Mesakaa Casserole (Eggplant and Tomato Casserole)
Mesakaa Casserole is a traditional Egyptian vegetarian food that consists of eggplant, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. The ingredients are baked in the oven until soft then served with bread or rice.
8. Baba Ghanoush (Eggplant with Tahini and garlic)
Baba Ghanoush is a delicious dip made from eggplant, garlic, and tahini. It can be served as an appetizer or a side dish with bread or pita bread. It’s also great as a condiment for grilled meat or fish!
Baba Ghanoush is traditionally made with roasted eggplant that’s mashed together with garlic cloves, olive oil, and spices like sumac (a lemony spice) and cumin.
9. Bamia (Stewed Okra)
Bamia is a stewed okra dish that’s popular in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East. It can be served as an appetizer or side dish and is made with okra, tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
10. Om Ali (Sweet Bread Pudding)
Om Ali is a sweet bread pudding, made with milk and sugar. It’s one of the most popular Egyptian desserts, and you can find variations in almost every restaurant or home kitchen.
The recipe is super easy to make: just mix together eggs, flour (or semolina), sugar and cinnamon until smooth. Pour the mixture into a greased pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes until golden brown on top. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream! It is a good vegetarian Egyptian dessert that you have to try.
11. Feteer Meshaltet (Egyptian Pie with Ghee)
Feteer meshaltet is a sweet pie with a crispy crust and a soft, spongy filling of cream cheese and sugar. It is usually served hot, with a glass of milk or tea.
Feteer Meshaltet is also known as Egyptian pie in English and it’s one of the most popular Egyptian food among locals here in Egypt. The word “meshaltet” means sweetened or scented in Arabic so you can imagine how delicious this dessert will be if you try it!
12. Katayef (Sweet Mini Pancakes)
Katayef is a traditional Egyptian dessert made with semolina flour, cheese and nuts. It is often served during Ramadan, but can also be found during other occasions such as weddings or birthdays. Katayef is usually eaten for breakfast and enjoyed with honey syrup or molasses syrup.
The ingredients used in making katayef are flour( semolina), water, sugar, butter/oil , and nuts (almonds). The process involves mixing all these together and then frying them in oil until golden brown on both sides before serving hot with syrup or honey sauce on top
13. konafa / kunafa
Konafa is a traditional Egyptian dessert made of shredded phyllo dough and stuffed with sweet cheese. It is served with syrup made of sugar and rosewater. This dish can also be referred to as kunafah.
14. Meshabek (Rounded & Crunchy sweet street food)
Meshabek is a traditional Egyptian sweet street food. It’s made of dough, stuffed with dates and nuts, then deep-fried. The outside is crunchy and the inside is soft. Usually served with syrup or honey
