Breakfast, as we all know, is hailed as the most important meal of the day. And the Egyptians sure know how to prepare an excellent breakfast. With a wide variety of dishes, you’ll be able to change up your Egyptian breakfast almost every day. Here are some of the popular food for breakfast in Egypt. Some of these dishes are Egypt’s own unique breakfast fares, while others are similar across the Middle East with an Egyptian twist.
Most Traditional Egyptian Breakfast Food
Emmer (Egyptian Flat Bread)
Also known as Aish Baladi, this is a very traditional Egyptian-style flatbread. It is quite a common occurrence at breakfast in Egypt, as well as at any meal time. Made from Emmer wheat, this wholegrain flatbread can be stuffed with various ingredients.
Emmer flatbread has its history dating back to the Pharaohs. There is even a recipe being found on the wall of a Tomb in modern-day Karnak. A flatbread that has truly stood the test of time has also changed very little in over 3000 years.
Savory Breakfast In Egypt
Shakshuka (Poached Eggs with Mixed Vegetables)
A traditional North African cuisine dish, Shakshuka is an extremely popular Egyptian breakfast. Shakshura is made with poached eggs in a tomato-based sauce, with garlic, green and bell peppers, onions, and olive oil.
All cooked in one skillet, with plenty of cumin, paprika, and other herbs and spices, this tomato-based dish is fantastic. Ingredients can be mixed up to make more of a green-based dish, swapping out the tomatoes with leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and even brussels sprouts. Some recipes even have some meat thrown in for good measure.
If you can find variations away from the classic tomato base, give it a go, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. This simple dish, more well known as a breakfast meal, can also be eaten at any time of day.
Eggah (Egg Omelette/Frittata)
This thick-baked Omelette is also similar to a Frittata. Eggah can be filled with numerous ingredients and baked in the oven with spices from cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, fresh herbs, and more.
Whilst this dish is very popular as a breakfast dish, it is very popular any time of day and with a variety of other dishes. This Egyptian Omelette can be made with so many varied ingredients you could possibly eat a different style of Eggah every day.
Ful Medames (Egyptian Stew)
Ful Medames is one the most famous Egyptian food, and it is traditionally eaten at breakfast in Egypt. A truly ancient meal, this Egyptian breakfast can be made with a few variations of its recipe. One of the more popular versions of this dish comes with fava beans, boiled eggs, tomatoes, and a whole load of spices. It is excellent when paired with Emmer for extra sustenance.
Traditionally this meal is slow-cooked for several hours, turning the beans into a beautiful stew. The Egyptian word ‘Medames’ directly translates as buried, which is how this dish was originally cooked back as early as the fourth century, over a low fire. Whereas the word ‘Ful’ is the type of beans used.
Taameya (Egyptian Falafel)
A traditional staple for breakfast in Egypt, the Egyptian version of a Falafel is made with fava beans rather than chickpeas. Due to their use of fava beans, Taameya is lighter, fluffier, and has more of a moist texture. It is also more noticeable green in color due to the fava beans.
Paired well with Emmer flatbread and perhaps some tahini, this is a savory Egyptian breakfast we feel you will thoroughly enjoy. Taameya is a great addition to the Egyptian breakfast spread, but also a very popular dish of choice at any time of day.
Beid Bel Basturma (Fried Eggs with Cured Beef)
This is a true classic in Egyptian Breakfasts. Beid refers to the eggs, whereas Basturma is cured beef, a bit like a cousin to Bacon, just the Middle Eastern version. The two are fried together in a pan with either ghee or butter, releasing the exquisite flavors of the Basturma and adding so much flavor to the eggs.
This is an excellent breakfast in Egypt, especially with some warm Emmer flatbread to help soak up the runny yolk. If you’re not a fan of fried eggs, this dish can easily be adapted with scrambled eggs and is just as delicious. Basturma is well known to have quite a strong smell, which comes from the fenugreek spice used in its creation. Just a little warning when this is being prepared.
Stuffed Pickled Eggplant
Pickled Eggplant may sound like an unusual breakfast item, but trust us when we say it is worth giving it a try. It is pretty common at breakfast in Egypt. This is a fantastic ingredient when stuffed inside Emmer flatbread with some Taameya. Usually prepared with baby Eggplants, the size of these are convenient for loading inside the Emmer flatbread.
These little pockets of pickled goodness are generally picked for a day or more. They can be stuffed with chilies, cumin, and paprika, all mixed in with white wine vinegar. If you are a spice fan, these Eggplants are a must-try for breakfast.
Egga and Falafel Omelette
Now we have mentioned these two popular Egyptian breakfast items before, but what is great about these two dishes is that they make an excellent Omelette when combined. If you ever get the chance to try this Egyptian breakfast dish, we believe you will be a convert.
It tastes as delicious as it smells, and its beautiful green color comes from the fava beans in the falafel. It is an excellent mixture of these two breakfast items and will keep you full of energy for all that exploring you will be doing when out and about on your trip in Egypt.
Sweet Breakfast In Egypt
Sweet Couscous
If you’re not originally from the Middle East, having Sweet Couscous may seem bizarre. But this sweetened version is very much a staple item at breakfast in Egypt. Full of cream, ghee, sugar, as well as nuts and fruit, this is quite similar to oatmeal in Western culture.
Sweet Couscous, unlike its oatmeal counterpart, is less likely to become mushy or as heavy. In addition to being popular in the mornings for breakfast, Sweet Couscous is quite regularly repurposed into a dessert in Egypt.
Clotted Cream and Honey
This is a very self-indulgent breakfast item and, as its name suggests, is simply clotted cream and honey. This simple mixture is fantastic spread onto some fresh, out-of-the-oven Emmer flatbread and is an uncomplicated yet delicious Egyptian breakfast.
It goes great with some traditional Egyptian black tea and milk. Clotted cream and honey is also extremely popular within family households in Egypt and if you’re lucky enough to be staying at someone’s home during your visit, try out this beautiful sweet offering.
Enjoy the Diversity of Egyptian Breakfasts
These popular Egyptian breakfasts are sure to satisfy those early morning cravings during your travels through Egypt. A hearty breakfast in Egypt will also certainly set you up nicely for the day, especially if you have a full day of tourist exploration ahead of you.
From savory to sweet dishes, there is plenty to fit everyone’s needs, and every restaurant has plenty of variations on these classic Egyptian breakfasts. Definitely hunt around and see what gems you find.
READ MORE: 20 THINGS EGYPT IS FAMOUS AND KNOWN FOR
