Koshari (also spelled koshary) is Egypt’s national dish, a staple food in Egyptian homes and street stalls that just happens to be completely Vegan! This unique dish combines rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, and a zesty tomato sauce topped with crispy fried onions, into a symphony of tastes and textures that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Cairo!

A bowl of koshari with macaroni, chickpeas, and fried onions topped with tomato sauce. There’s a bowl of sauce, a jug of broth, and another serving of koshari in the background on a wooden table.

I lived in Egypt for many years, and actually went from Vegetarian to Vegan when I was living in Cairo. I was surprised at just how vegan-friendly the local cuisine was. Egyptian food offers an incredible variety of plant-based dishes that are both satisfying and delicious. For example, ‘Ful Madames’, which is a traditional Egyptian breakfast dish made from mashed fava beans and spices, and is absolutely yum! These beans are often served with ‘Taamaya’, the Egyptian version of falafel, made from ground fava beans instead of chickpeas. These are just a few of the many vegan Egyptian dishes that I hope I will be able to recreate and post the recipes!

But on to ‘Koshari’, the heart of Egyptian comfort food, made with layers of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, and fried onions that come together with the tomato ‘Salsa’ sauce to create a unique dish like no other. Making it from scratch is also incredibly fun! So next time you’re craving something warm, filling, and full of flavour, whip up a batch of Koshari and enjoy the true taste of Egypt right in your own kitchen!

Ingredients

Rice-Short-grain or medium-grain rice is preferred for Koshari because it has a slightly sticky texture that helps the dish come together. Long-grain rice can also be used. Tip: Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch, which can make the rice clump together.
Vermicelli- Egyptian rice is often cooked with vermicelli pasta (‘Roz bel She’reya’). For this rice, thin, short vermicelli pasta is used. It’s important to use the right type of vermicelli, which is delicate and thin. You can find this pasta in most Middle Eastern grocery stores. The vermicelli is then lightly fried in oil to ‘toast’ it slightly before adding the rice. The toasting process adds a nutty flavour, which is characteristic of Egyptian vermicelli rice (see below).

Golden brown vermicelli noodles reminiscent of those found in koshari are being toasted in a white frying pan. The noodles are slightly scattered across the pan, with some areas clustered more densely than others.

Brown lentils-Brown lentils are commonly used in Koshari. They hold their shape well when cooked and offer a hearty texture. I struggled to find dried brown lentils where I live so I used store-bought canned brown lentils. However, this meant I could not cook the brown lentils and rice together which you may see in other recipes.
Pasta- Small pasta like elbow macaroni is the classic choice, but other small pasta shapes (like ditalini or macarnoni) can work as well.
Chickpeas- For ease I use canned chickpeas in this recipe as there are quite a few ingredients to prepare! But you can cook dried chickpeas yourself if you prefer.
Crispy fried onions- The crispy fried onions are what truly elevate Koshari. Egyptians call this the layer on koshari the ‘Ward’ meaning flowers! Traditionally the ‘ward’ are thinly sliced onions that are battered and deep-fried until golden and crispy. However, many Egyptians use store-bought crispy fried onions which I also used in this recipe as I don’t feel experienced enough yet to cook them from scratch!
White vinegar– Vinegar plays a vital role in Koshari, adding a tangy and slightly acidic flavour to the tomato ‘salsa’ and ‘dakka’ sauce (see below). Distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used. Other vinegar such as apple cider vinegar would change the taste, hence not recommended.
‘Dakka’ sauce– There’s one more element that takes Koshari from delicious to unforgettable—the ‘Dakka’ sauce. The Dakka sauce is a tangy, spicy garlic and vinegar dressing that’s poured over the dish just before serving, adding an extra burst of flavour that ties everything together. The sauce is made by combining freshly minced garlic, white vinegar, water and cumin. The sauce is traditionally poured generously over the dish, which adds a spicy kick to the Koshari.
‘Shaata’ Sauce– ‘Shaata’ sauce (roughly translating to ‘chilli sauce’) is another common Koshari garnish. In Koshari restaurants in Egypt you will often see harissa sauce or other chilli sauce bottles sat on the tables next to the ‘dakka’. This time I used store-bought ‘Sriracha’ sauce for extra heat!

Koshari Layers

At its core, Koshari is a layered dish, and the order in which you arrange each component plays a huge role in the final experience. The proper layering helps the rice absorb the flavours, ensures the crispy fried onions stay crispy, and gives the tangy sauces the chance to shine. I confirmed with my Egyptian husband that I was layering the dish in the correct order to make sure I got it right!

A bowl filled with rice and lentils placed on a wooden surface. The rice and lentils are mixed together, showcasing a simple and rustic presentation. The grains and legumes are evenly distributed throughout the dish.

Step 1: The first layer is vermicelli rice and lentils. Some restaurants serve plain rice followed by a layer of brown lentils.

A bowl filled with macaroni pasta on top of a mixture of white rice and lentils, placed on a wooden surface.

Step 2: The next layer is the cooked elbow pasta.

A ceramic bowl filled with a layered dish featuring rice and lentils, macaroni pasta, and topped with a generous serving of red tomato sauce, placed on a wooden surface.

Step 3: The next layer is the tomato ‘Salsa’ sauce.

A bowl of koshari with layers of rice, lentils, macaroni, and tomato sauce, topped with chickpeas, on a wooden surface.

Step 4: The next layer is the chickpeas, lightly spiced with cumin and lemon/ lime juice.

A bowl of koshari with macaroni, rice, chickpeas, and lentils, topped with fried onions and tomato sauce, sits on a wooden table.

Step 5: The last layer is the crispy onions- the ‘Ward’!

A bowl of delicious koshari, an Egyptian dish, is crowned with chickpeas, fried onions, and a savory red sauce. A hand pours a delicate, light-colored sauce from a small white jug over the koshari. The inviting bowl rests on a textured wooden surface.

Step 6: Finally pour the ‘dakka’ sauce over your koshari, and then ‘shaata’ sauce if you want extra spice!

I hope you enjoy making this dish as much as I have! Happy cooking! 🌱🌱

A bowl of koshari, an Egyptian dish, featuring rice, pasta, and lentils topped with tomato sauce, chickpeas, and fried onions. Ingredients like sauce, onions, and garlic are visible in the background on a wooden table.

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