Egypt’s beloved comfort food, koshary, has earned global recognition after being added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking the first Egyptian dish to receive the honor.
Built from simple, affordable ingredients—rice, lentils, pasta, fried onions, and tomato sauce—the hearty meal reflects everyday life across Egypt, from street stalls to family kitchens.
UNESCO highlighted koshary’s role in social cohesion, noting how it cuts across class, region, and age, even as local variations add their own flair.
The inscription brings Egypt’s total entries on the list to 11, including ten non-culinary entries, and places koshary alongside newly recognized culinary traditions from Italy and the Maghreb. For Egyptians, it’s a proud moment celebrating tradition, simplicity, and shared identity.