Egypt's beloved street food staple: rice, lentils and pasta layered with spicy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.

خطوات التحضير

Soak the lentils in warm water for 20 minutes, then boil in water until nearly tender (15-20 minutes) and drain.

Cook the rice as usual with a pinch of salt until tender and fluffy.

Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.

Toss the onion slices in flour and deep-fry in hot oil until golden and crispy; drain on paper towels.

For the tomato sauce: heat a little oil, sauté the garlic until fragrant, add tomato paste, pureed tomatoes, and spices, and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.

For the dagga sauce: mix the crushed garlic with vinegar, chili flakes, and water; you can briefly sizzle the garlic in hot oil first to release more flavor.

On a serving plate, layer the rice, then lentils, then pasta, then chickpeas.

Pour the red tomato sauce over the top, garnish with the crispy fried onions, and serve the dagga sauce on the side so everyone can add heat to taste.

نصيحة

Do not overcook the lentils and rice so they keep their texture and don't turn mushy when assembled. The crispy fried onions can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a day or two, as they add the essential crunch to the dish.

Koshari is Egypt's unofficial national dish, sold on nearly every street corner from Alexandria to Aswan. This hearty vegetarian dish combines rice, black lentils, pasta, and chickpeas, topped with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions, and traditionally served with a garlicky chili-vinegar sauce called dagga on the side.

Koshari's origins trace back to the 19th century, blending influences from Indian cuisine (rice and lentils), Italian cuisine (pasta and tomato sauce), and Middle Eastern spicing, evolving into a beloved dish that spans all social classes in Egypt.

What makes koshari special is the balance of textures: tender rice and lentils, a rich tangy sauce, crunchy onions, and a spicy kick from the dagga sauce. It is filling, affordable, and often made in large batches for family gatherings.