Koshari, also spelled kushari or koshary, is Egypt's national dish and a widely popular street food built from a base of pasta, Egyptian fried rice, vermicelli and brown lentils, topped with chickpeas, a garlicky tomato sauce, garlic vinegar and crispy fried onion, with hot sauce and extra garlic vinegar offered for those who want more heat. Ancient Egyptian sources reference a related dish called koshir, described as food of the rites of the gods, and the dish gained wider documented prominence in the nineteenth century, when explorer Richard Burton recorded it in 1853 as a breakfast food of the people of Suez made from lentils, rice, butter, onion and pickled lemon. Koshari is prized as an affordable, filling meal, historically popular among workers and laborers, and in 2025 it was recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO; it is served warm or hot at roadside stalls, dedicated restaurants and home tables across Egypt.
Facts
Origin Period, From (Year)1853 is the earliest documented reference (Richard Burton); the dish may be older but no earlier record is established by the source. Origin Region FAQs
Is koshari vegan?
Yes when it is traditionally made and fried in vegetable oil.
Traditionally prepared koshari contains no animal products, so it can be considered vegan, as long as all frying is done in vegetable oil.
Connections
Expresses Tradition
Source Koshary (Wikipedia)
In Cuisine
Uses Ingredient
In the Other Atlases
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Koshari (Wikipedia)
WikipediaKoshari, lead section
Koshary...is Egypt's national dish
Koshari, History section
In 1853, in his book "Journey to Egypt and the Hijaz", explorer Richard Burton documented koshary as the breakfast meal of the people of Suez.
Introduction
Koshary, Kushari or Koshari (Egyptian Arabic: كشرى [ˈkoʃæɾi]) is Egypt's national dish and a widely popular street food. It is a traditional Egyptian staple, mixing pasta, Egyptian fried rice, vermicelli and brown lentils, and topped with chickpeas, a garlicky tomato sauce, garlic vinegar, and crispy fried onions.
View the Source Wikidata: Koshari
Wikidata Q1197104, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Koshary (Wikipedia)
Expresses Tradition: Street Food Culture, lead paragraphQuote, Expresses Tradition: Street Food Culture, lead paragraph
Koshary, Kushari or Koshari (Egyptian Arabic: كشرى [ˈkoʃæɾi]) is Egypt's national dish and a widely popular street food.
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