Koshari is Egypt's beloved national dish — a hearty, vegetarian bowl of lentils, rice, macaroni and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Cairo's most popular street food, and endlessly satisfying to make at home.
20m
Prep
50m
Cook
70m
Total
6
Servings
480
Cal/Serving
Medium
★★★★★4.8 · 124 reviews
🛒 Ingredients
Serves 6
200g brown lentils, rinsed
200g long-grain white rice
200g macaroni or elbow pasta
400g canned chickpeas, drained
3 large onions, thinly sliced
6 tbsp vegetable oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
800g canned chopped tomatoes
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
3 tbsp white vinegar
Salt and pepper
✨ Chef's Tips
The crispy onions are the star — do not skip them and do not rush them.
Vinegar in the tomato sauce is the Egyptian touch that lifts the whole dish.
Each diner should get both sauce and extra fried onions on the side to add as they like.
Koshari is naturally vegan and very filling — perfect for feeding a crowd economically.
📋 Method
1Cook the lentils: Simmer lentils in salted water for 20 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
2Cook the rice: In a separate pot, cook rice in salted water according to packet instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
3Cook the pasta: Boil macaroni until al dente. Drain and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
4Fry the onions: Heat oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 20–25 minutes until very dark golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Reserve the onion oil.
5Make the tomato sauce: In the same onion oil, fry garlic for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, cumin, coriander, chilli flakes and vinegar. Simmer for 15 minutes until thick and rich. Season well.
6Warm the chickpeas: Add drained chickpeas to the tomato sauce and warm through for 5 minutes.
7Assemble: Layer in bowls — rice, then lentils, then pasta. Spoon over the tomato and chickpea sauce generously. Top with a large handful of crispy fried onions. Serve immediately.