I vividly remember on my last visit to Egypt, we were at the grocery store and I asked my husband to see if he could ask if they had coconut or lactose free yogurt. When he went for help, the boy laughed and said, ‘What is that? No, we don’t have that!’.
While I personally don’t label myself vegan or vegetarian, I do try to eat plant based as much as possible. I know it can be hard, especially while travelling somewhere new to find these substitutes if you do adhere to this lifestyle.
Middle Eastern or Egyptian food in particular has a reputation for being heavy in meats, yogurts, cheeses and well, lots of other animal products! Not exactly friendly for vegans or even vegetarians.
Just last month, Baseem Yousuf, the most famous comedian in all of Egypt, started a show touting the benefits of a plant based diet called PlantB. With more attention being drawn to the subject, I’d argue that individuals are becoming more conscious and businesses are beginning to respond in turn. While Egypt would have previously been labelled as a place difficult for vegans to find good food, I think times are changing.
Luckily, there are already many items in everyday Egyptian cuisine that you can eat without worrying if there are any animal products in them. Some you may already be familiar with and others you should be excited to try!
These staples you’ll be able to find at most Egyptians restaurants throughout Egypt. At the bottom of the post I’ll mention some specific restaurants that are vegan friendly as well (and my favorites!).
Koshary
The staple street food!
A favorite national dish!
Koshary or Kushari (or many of it’s other spellings) is an undeniably typically Egyptian dish. While on their own, each of the parts that make up this dish, are anything but Egyptian, it’s the mishmash of the ingredients together that makes it decidedly theirs! Koshary is made up of a carb loaded base of rice, macaroni and lentils. It’s then topped with a tomato sauce, chickpeas and my favorite, the garlic vinegar and fried onions! You can load up your plate with as much of those toppings as you’d like!
While there’s an ongoing debate over who serves the best Koshary, the front runners usually being Koshary Abou Tarek and Koshary Tahrir. There are now many local chains dedicated to serving just Koshary but you can also find it at many Egyptian restaurants. It’s an inexpensive, but very filling and vegan friendly meal!
Hummus
Hummus in Arabic is actually ‘chickpea’ and the hummus that we know in many parts of the world, throughout the Middle East is known as Hummus bi tahini. While hummus is now readily available in supermarkets around the world, there’s nothing quite like Egyptian hummus! There’s also now many places offering new varieties of hummus, like beet.
Where is hummus originally from? It’s a question with many conflicting answers, but some of them even argue it originated in Cairo! In which case, there’s no better place to try it then during your time in Egypt! I also can’t resist when they are topped with pomegranate seeds, how do you say no?!
Ta’ameya
Egyptians even have their own type of falafel – that’s regarded by many the best falafel recipe in the world! What makes this falafel unique is that it’s made with fava beans instead of chickpeas and that also gives them their vibrant green color.
Taameya is most often served on its own and then can be complimented with local breads, rice and salads. Although it can also be seen inside sandwiches or salads.
Ful Medames
A traditional breakfast food, ful medames is another staple Arabian food that originated in Egypt! While again, ful is a recipe that varies from Jordan to Ethiopia, the local version is made with cooked then mashed fava beans and spices. Then some will come mixed with vegetable toppings already, and others will let you add them on yourself; onions, tomatoes, parsley and lemon juice.
It’s eaten at all times of day and sold on the streets in ful carts and even at restaurants as mezze. I just recently bought myself a canned version at the supermarket and look forward to having a little taste of Egypt at breakfast.
Mahshi
Mahshi is another dish you’ll find different varieties of throughout the Mediterranean; Dolmades in Greece or Dolma in Turkey, are Mahshi in Egypt.
The Egyptian version is grape leaves stuffed with rice and tomato sauce. Mahshi can also be made from cabbage leaves (which is my preference!). It can occasionally have meat, so be sure to check!
Lentil Soup
Soup? In the midst of the Egyptian heat? I assure you this warming and delicious lentil soup (or shorba ads in Arabic) is the perfect companion to your meal or can even be a meal on its own! You’ll often find it garnished with lemon juice and fried pita chips. The soup is primarily made from a vegetable stock, but if you have any doubts, you can always check!
Aish Baladi
Aish Baladi, is the local Egyptian bread, Aish meaning bread and Baladi meaning local. It’s a mix of a pita with naan, but even more delicious if possible! This bread is so versatile as is eaten at all times and meals of the day – including dessert! We’ll often eat it with a tahini and/or molasses spread as a post dinner dessert.
I can’t emphasize enough how if you are a bread lover, this will quickly become your favorite food!
Bessara
In true Egyptian style, there’s another beloved fava beans dish! It’s somewhere between a soup and a dip. In Egypt bessara is served as a dip to be eaten with bread. As you can tell, many of these Egyptian vegan dishes are made with simple, inexpensive and healthy ingredients.
Fruits & Fruit Juices
Unfortunately most Egyptian desserts are non vegan, so it’s difficult to provide sound recommendations for those as they almost always will contain milk and/or honey. But fortunately, there’s a ton of natural sweets that will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!
There’s an abundance of fruit vendors and also fruit juice shops in Egypt, plus they make for an inexpensive snack! If you’re buying fruits, just make sure to rinse properly with spring water.
If you’re going for a juice, the local favorite for sure is sugar cane!
Dates & Nuts
Dates and nut of all kinds are available everywhere! For dates in particular you’ll be shocked to see all the different varieties they have in many colors, some more bitter or with large pits.
With a more plant based movement growing all around the world, it’s nice to see different cuisines adapting. If you’re travelling throughout Egypt, you’ll find the most variety of vegan restaurants in Cairo and Dahab.
A day of vegan meals in Cairo
Here are my favorites for a full fay of vegan meals in Cairo!
- First things first – don’t leave without water!!
- Stop at Arabiata for breakfast! Get yourself some ful and a falafel sandwich.
- Stock up on nuts at any Abu Auf closest to you to munch on during the day!
- Next up is Zooba for lunch! For a modern take on traditional food, this is the spot! Start with a lentil soup, then select some dips (beetroot tahini, bessara.. you choose!) with some delicious Zooba style local bread.
- Then head to any local juice stand for some sugar cane juice – you deserve it!
- Finish the day off with Koshary Abou Tarek for dinner! Try the infamous koshary, in whatever size bowl your stomach needs (it’s filling!).
By no means is this a comprehensive list, there’s loads of amazing vegan friendly and specialized vegan spots popping up everywhere now throughout Egypt. Check happy cow for the latest listings.
Vegetarian Egyptian Food
If you’re vegetarian, you’ll have even more delicious local options available to you including cheese filled dishes like feteer (flaky egyptian pastry). You’ll also be able to eat many of the traditional desserts from baklava, basbousa to kunafeh.
Gluten Free in Egypt
As a celiac you may have a more difficult time, especially if there is a language barrier. Egyptian cuisine is based in a lot of carbohydrates, and the majority from this list (apart from the dips) would be unsafe foods for you. For more information on what to consider if you have gluten sensitivities consult the happy celiac and this guide for information on supermarkets with celiac friendly products.
Now remember, this list is not only for vegans or vegetarians as everything on here is genuinely delicious and are traditional Egyptian foods everyone must try on their visit!
Do you have a favorite I missed on the list?
Some additional guides that may help with your trip planning:
- Egypt travel tips for first-timers
- 10 reasons to travel to Egypt – this is the year!
- Tipping Etiquette in Egypt with tips from a local (my hubby!)
- Where to stay in Cairo, advice on the best neighbourhoods
- Amazing pyramid view hotels you should consider staying at
- The best 15 spots in Cairo for instagram photos
- What to wear in Egypt a guide for women
- 4-day Nile Cruise review from Aswan to Luxor
- What are the most unique souvenirs to buy in Egypt
- A two-day itinerary for Alexandria Egypt
Like this? Pin it for later!
Wonderful post! I don’t eat meat, and I’ve never found it very hard being a vegetarian in Egypt.. What bothers me is the patriarchal views that commonly assume that when you don’t eat meat, it’s because you’re on a diet because you want to lose weight! 😀