In brief
- Koshari is an Egyptian dish of rice, lentils and pasta, topped with spicy tomato sauce and fried onions.
- Origin: Egypt, emerged in Cairo and Alexandria in the 19th century.
- Essential ingredients: rice, brown lentils, short pasta, chickpeas, tomato, garlic.
- A street food that became a national dish, served at any hour in Egyptian eateries.
Origins and cultural history of Egyptian koshari
Koshari emerged in Egypt in the second half of the 19th century, at a time when the country became a crossroads of populations under British administration and during the construction of the Suez Canal. Workers and soldiers from the Indian subcontinent brought khichdi, a rice and lentil dish whose name is close to the Hindi word khichri and which is said to have given koshari its name. At the same time, Italian laborers settled in Alexandria and Cairo for the digging of the canal introduced pasta and tomato sauce, two ingredients absent from the original khichdi.
The dish took its current form, with chickpeas, fried onions and garlic vinegar, in the 1930s. It became a street food sold by street vendors and then in specialized eateries, notably in Cairo, and is found today on every Egyptian table, regardless of social background: it is Egypt's national dish.
What are the essential ingredients of Egyptian koshari
Koshari is made with simple, inexpensive ingredients, layered on the plate rather than mixed during cooking.
- rice
- brown lentils
- short pasta (macaroni or vermicelli)
- chickpeas
- tomato and garlic, for the sauce
- fried onions
- white vinegar
What to know about Egyptian koshari
Koshari is the national dish of Egypt: rice, brown lentils, short pasta and chickpeas, layered on the plate and topped with a spicy garlic tomato sauce and fried onions. It appeared in Cairo and Alexandria in the 19th century, combining the khichdi from the Indian subcontinent, a dish of rice and lentils, with the pasta and tomato sauce brought by Italian workers. A street food sold at any hour in Egyptian eateries, it is traditionally vegetarian, with no meat or fish.
Frequently asked questions about Egyptian koshari
Is koshari a vegetarian dish?
Yes, the traditional koshari recipe contains neither meat nor fish: it is based on rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas and tomato sauce. Some Egyptian eateries now offer a variant with merguez sausage added, but the original version remains vegetarian.
Why is koshari considered Egypt's national dish?
Because it is eaten by all social classes, at any hour, in eateries entirely dedicated to it since the early 20th century, notably in Cairo. Its popularity and its presence across the whole of Egyptian territory have, over time, made it a national culinary symbol.
Where to find Egyptian koshari ingredients in France?
NKOSI sells the rice, ROYAL BOURBON lentils and spices from this recipe and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
