Egypt’s staple koshary makes UNESCO list

UNESCO recognised Wednesday Egypt’s favourite daily dish as intangible cultural heritage, to the delight of Egyptians digging into the spicy staple at every corner. UNESCO recognizes knowledge, traditions, and cultural expressions that are part of a people’s identity as world heritage to ensure their protection.

The budget-friendly, carb-loaded bowl of noodles, rice, lentils and fried onions doused in a blazing hot sauce is a culinary staple in the Arab world’s most populous country.

Irina, a Spanish tourist who had stopped in for a bite, said the UNESCO nod was a good call.

“It’s a really good decision because when you’re eating koshary, you can feel and taste the country here, all the mixes of flavours,” she said.

Behind her and in corner shops across the country, mountains of noodles, rice and lentils are piled high in adjoining pots.

With choreographed precision, vendors ladle scoop, after scoop, after scoop at lightning speed.

They pour tomato sauce all over, sprinkle fried onions, then leave it to each customer to season to taste: blazing hot sauce, tangy garlic-vinegar drizzle.