Koshary Abou Tarek

The 19 Best Restaurants in Cairo, Egypt | Eater

"Abou Tarek’s bustling downtown location is unlike any other restaurant in town, not just for the unparalleled enthusiasm of its staff, but for the fact that it dedicates five stories to a single savory dish: koshary, Egypt’s national dish (served along with drinks and desserts). Koshary is a flavor-packed mix of carbs, including rice, pasta, vermicelli, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with tomato and garlic sauces. (Unless otherwise stated, it’s also vegan.) Abou Tarek prepares every bowl fresh to order, keeping up with a constant stream of locals who stop by from noon to night. The pasta is perfectly al dente, the da’ah sauce is garlicky, and the tomato sauce is always steaming hot. If there’s one culinary experience to have in Cairo, it’s undoubtedly this one." - Laila Hassaballa