Trying out local food when traveling abroad is one of the highlights of any trip. The unusual, never tried before flavors and food variations are entertaining and surprising.
But equally surprising is when you find a famous local dish that is very similar to a dish back home – more of a nostalgic surprise, really!
Similarities with worldwide cuisines cannot go unnoticed to our dear Egyptian food. So the next time you are traveling and getting nostalgic, here are seven dishes and delicacies with a striking resemblance to some Egyptian cuisine favorites you may want to try out:
1. Greek Gemista
Greek Gemista is a traditional colorful dish. “Gemista” in Greece is what is known as “Mahshi” in Egypt. Vegetables – mainly green bell peppers and tomatoes – are stuffed with a mixture of rice, onions and fresh herbs. Yum!
2. Swedish Surstromming
Doesn’t a fish herring that is slowly fermented in salt water over months until it gets an odor that is not for the faint-hearted sound familiar? You guessed it, “Fesekh”! Surstromming is a fish delicacy that is celebrated in many parts of Sweden and is usually eaten with a thin type of bread and potatoes.
3. British Rice Pudding
Or “Roz Belaban” as it is called in Egypt. The sweet rice and milk mixture is a traditional favorite dessert in both countries. In Britain, though, they have more than one version, including a baked warm one. There are also versions in Spanish-speaking countries.
4. Japanese Kyuri Zuke
Pickles form an important part of both Japanese and Egyptian cuisine,s and with that, both countries have been creatively producing many variations of pickled vegetables and some fruits. A common one is pickled cucumbers, “Kyuri Zuke” in Japan and “Kheyar Mekhalil” in Egypt, but with slightly different marinating methods in each country.
5.Turkish Moussaka
Yes, heavenly mesa2a3a does exist beyond Egyptian frontiers. This oven-baked dish that mainly combines eggplants, tomatoes and minced beef is a distinguished main dish in both countries.
6. South African Koeksister
Deep-fried braided dumplings that are then dipped in sweet syrup, Koeksister from South Africa closely resembles the taste and texture of “Balah el Sham” in Egypt and both are enjoyed with a nice cup of tea or coffee.
7. Mexican Charro Beans
In Mexico and craving a plate of “Foul Medames”? Then it’s probably your lucky day as you can try the local close equivalent called Charro beans. Beans, called pinto, are boiled in water until tender and then cooked with a mixture of tomatoes, onions, herbs and bacon – a Mexican addition.
It’s a small world after all, isn’t it?
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss The Best Authentic Eats in Cairo