If you are in Egypt for even a day, you need to know how to order Egyptian koshary. End of story.
We’re just going to say it: if you don’t know koshary, you don’t know Egypt. It’s one of the first things you should try once you move here, and a visit to Cairo wouldn’t be complete without it.
Made of noodles, lentils, salsa, and fried onions, koshary packs a powerful, carb-fueled punch.
You will find a restaurant on almost every corner, and a decent understanding of how to order the stuff will win the heart of any Egyptian.
Forget the rest of the language. If you learn just one thing, let it be how to order this delicious dish.
Today, Cleo Lingo will be explaining…..how to order Egyptian koshary.
Most Important Phrases To Order Egyptian Koshary
We will give you all the phrases you need when you order Egyptian koshary, when you finish your order, and some extra stuff.
Placing your order
Can I please have a small/medium/large koshary? : “momkin koshary soghyar/ wasat/ kbeer law samaht?”
ممكن كشري سغير / وسط / كبير لو سمحت؟
I want a 5/10/20/25 koshary. : “3ayz koshary khamsa/3ashra/3shreen/khamsa w 3shreen”
.عايز كشري ٥ / ١٠ / ٢٠ / ٢٥.
This is interesting.
At most places, when you order Egyptian koshary, you just say “koshary” followed by the number that you want. It’s not all that fancy, but it’s straight and to the point. Less confusing that way.
It’s also useful to note that some numbers (sometimes) have a small “b” sound at the beginning (listen to the voice note again closely). This is quite Egyptian, and it’s perfectly fine to leave the “b” sound out.
Can I please have extra onions. : “momken basal zyada law sama7t?”
ممكن بصل زيادة لو سمحت؟
Can I please have extra lentils? : “momken 3ads zyada law sama7t?”
These are the main toppings that are put on top of the noodles. The onions are fried, and the lentils are exactly what you’d expect. You’re a weirdo if you choose to leave out both, but we promise that we won’t judge you.
I want another salsa. : “3ayz salsa tani men fadlak.”
.عايز صلصة تاني من فضلك
Is there something to drink here? : “fe 7aga tetshreb hena?”
في حاجة تتشرب هنا؟
I want a pepsi/Seven-Up. : “3ayz bebsi/seven”
.عايز ببسي (او) سفن أب
When you order Egyptian koshary, it helps to have something to drink.
Seven-Up might also just be shortened to “seven.” You could also get water, if you want to be that guy. This will either come in a bottle (“ezaza”) or will be served from the tap. If you are new to Egypt, we highly suggest the bottle.
I want an additional plate. : “3ayz wa7ed kemala.”
.عايز واحد كملة
Can or cup(from the machine)? : “kanz wala machine?”
كنز ولا مشين؟
Exactly what it sounds like. If you are getting a cup, it’s literally coming from a machine. At most places it’s more normal to to get a can. This took some getting used to for me, as the majority of places in California give you “fountain drinks.”
Check out our recent post about the two different words for “Or” in Egyptian Arabic. Essential to know.
Do you have (various Egyptian desserts)? : “3andak shoka/ma3la2a/shafata?”
عندك شوكة / معلقة/ شفاطة؟
I want rice pudding. : “3ayz wa7ed roz blaban.”
.عايز واحد رز بلبن
No koshary meal is complete without a rice pudding. We doubt you will be able to finish a “koshary khumiSTAWshr”, a can of Pepsi, and a rice pudding all in one sitting…..but if you do, congratulations. Also, enjoy your food coma.
Finishing Your Order
Anything else/Do you want to order anything else? : “7aga kaman/t7eb tetlob 7aga kaman?”
حاجة كمان؟ / تحب تطلب حاجة كمان؟
No, that’s it. Thank you. : “la Khalas keda shokran.”
.لا خلاص كدة. شكرا
Paying After You Order Egyptian Koshary
We want to pay everything on one bill. : “3ayzen nedfa3 kolo f 7sab wa7ed.”
.عايزين ندفع كله في حساب واحد
Remember, there are two different ways that Egyptians will ask for the check. “HihSEHB” is for “normal” places (like a koshary joint or awhuwuh), while “SHECK” is for more upper class locations (cafes, expensive restaurants, etc.).
Each person to himself on the check, please. : “el7esab kol wa7ed lwa7do men fadlak”
.الحساب كل واحد لوحده من فضلك
A lot of this stuff was covered in our post about How to order at a a restaurant in Egyptian Arabic.
Check it out for more useful phrases.
When you order Egyptian koshary, you will usually get a receipt after your koshary guy has asked you if you wanted anything else. Assuming you don’t, he’ll hand you the receipt and then go on his merry way.
You are at this point on your own, but it’s not too hard. Go to the “front desk” (where people who are ordering “take away” order their food) and hand him the receipt. The price will usually be shown in the numbers you know (not those pesky Arabic digits), so you shouldn’t have a problem there. Pay him the money, and then walk away with your full belly!
Here’s a “top five” list, just so you can plan accordingly.
- Koshary el Tahrir: Basically what people think of when they think of koshary. Can’t go wrong.
- Zooba: The new-age hipster koshary. They even make a whole grain version. We won’t say anymore.
- Abu Tarek: Classic. Famous. Absolutely delicious. a bit over priced (for the brand) but you will love it
- Hend: Solid koshary, with exceptional delivery speed.
- Zamzam: Shit, but our shit. Zamzam kinda sucks, but if you want to become a real koshary expert, it pays to try it all.
Extra Phrases
Are there any napkins? : “fe mandeel law sama7t?”
في منديل لو سمحت؟
Just as a fun fact, I didn’t learn this word until about eight months after arriving in Cairo. I know, I’m disgusting.
Where is the garlic, and where is the spice? : “fen elda2a, feen elshatta?”
فين الدقة؟ فين الشطة؟
IMPORTANT. These are the two sauces that you will see on the table of pretty much any koshary place. If you could take away one piece of advice today, it would be this: start slow.
They are usually pretty easy to tell apart; the garlic sauce is in a bigger, clearer bottle, while the spicy sauce is red and usually comes in a smaller container.
However, everybody has their own taste.
Koshary isn’t all that great (we know, blasphemy) without these welcome additions.
Mix and match until you find your perfect spot.
I, for instance, like my koshary drowned in garlic with no spice. Egyptians think I’m crazy.
If you are staying in Egypt for any length of time, you will have plenty of opportunities to get it down perfectly.
Please, where is the bathroom? : “feen el 7ammam law sama7t?”
فين الحمام لو سمحت؟
Good question to know anywhere. You have about a 50/50 chance with koshary places. If it is one of the nicer places (Koshary Tahrir, Abu Tarek), they will. Eat at a hole in the wall koshary joint, however, and you’re out of luck.
Expressing Your Feelings After You Order Egyptian Koshary
- A new food is delicious but just too damn spicy:
This koshary is very spicy, I can’t! : “elkoshary da 7ara2 awy, ana mesh ader!!”
!الكشري ده حراق قوي.. انا مش قادر
Interesting point here about “I can’t!”. This literally means ” I am unable to do,” but Egyptians use it quite often when eating. If it’s a good thing, it means “I’m stuffed.” If it’s negative, it basically means that there is something wrong with the food. In this case, too spicy.
- Realizing that divine intervention is at play here, and that God does indeed want you to be happy.
Thanks be to god, this koshary was wonderful! : “elhamdulelah, el koshary da kan helw awy”
!الحمدالله الكشري ده كان حلوة اوي
- You have discovered the miracle that is koshary, and you are officially hard-core addicted.
This is the most delicious koshary I have ever tasted in my life. : “da a7la koshary akltoh f 7yaty”
!دي احلى كشري اكلته في حياتي
- Need we say more?
I will order another! : “ana hatlob wa7ed tani”
!انا هطلب واحد تاني
Cultural Insight
Koshary is essentially the national dish of Egypt. The people are brought up on the stuff, and it’s prevalence in the country quickly makes itself known. Whether children after school, businessmen after work, or random guys sitting on the side of the street, koshary is everywhere. Dare we say, it’s the food version of tea: everybody’s doing it.
However, homemade koshary doesn’t seem to be be nearly as good. Egyptians will likely disagree, and might even tell you that their koshary is different. Indeed, this happened to me several times in Cairo. Half of the Egyptians I knew seemed to have some sort of “secret recipe,” and always shook their head at the mere suggestion that “corporate koshary” knew something they didn’t.
I’m not Egyptian, so take this with a grain of salt, but stick with the restaurants. Those guys know what they are doing. Still, if your friend invites you over for a dish of his mother’s homemade stuff….can’t really say no, can you?
Good look with the real taste of Egypt.
…..
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
I miss you Eric!