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Cairo koshary.jpg
Kushari topped with fried onion
Alternative names Koshary, kosheri or koshari
Type Vegetarian
Place of origin Egypt
Complexity Average
Serving temperature warm or hot
Main ingredients rice, macaroni, tomato sauce, vegetable oil, onions, cumin, lentils
Variations chickpeas, hot sauce, garlic juice, vinegar,short spaghetti
Food energy
(per 300 g serving)
954 kcal (3994 kJ)
Nutritional value
(per 300 g serving)
Protein 33 g
Fat 11 g
Carbohydrate 181 g
Similar dishes Khichdi
Cookbook:Kushari  Kushari

Kushari, also koshary, kosheri or koshari (Egyptian Arabic: كشرى, [ˈkoʃæɾi]), is an Egyptian dish made in the 19th century, made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed together, topped with a tomato-vinegar sauce; some add short pieces of spaghetti garnished with chickpeas and crispy fried onions. A sprinkling of garlic juice and hot sauce are optional.


Kushari originated in the mid 19th century, during a time when Egypt was a multi-cultural country and the economy was marked by a period of significant output within a population. The period is marked by productivity increases, sales increases, wage increases and rising demand.

The lower class's usually limited pantry became full with a myriad of ingredients: lentils, rice, macaroni, chickpeas, tomato sauce, onions, garlic, oil, vinegar, etc. At the end of the month, families would usually have the entire collection of ingredients as leftovers, so families would quickly finish their supply in one dish.

More sources state that the dish originated from India and Italy, in 1914 when Indians attempted to use lentil and rice Khichdi , Italians added macaroni to the dish, over time the dish has progressed and evolved into the current dish by Egyptian soldiers, then by Egyptian citizens.[1] Kushari used to be sold on Food carts on its early years, restaurants were introduced in the later years.

Koshari is widely popular among workers and laborers. It may be prepared at home or served at roadside stalls and restaurants all over Egypt; some restaurants specialize in kushari to the exclusion of other dishes, while others feature it as an item among many.[2] As it does not contain any animal products, it can be considered vegan so long as all frying uses vegetable oil. It's served recently with some fried bread. That bread is cut into quarters.

See also[edit]

Other mixed rice dishes[edit]


  1. ^ yahoo- maktoob CNBC
  2. ^ "Kushari recipe". Whats4eats.com. Retrieved 2013-02-17. 

External links[edit]