100% Alexandrian: The Dishes That Set This Coastal City Apart
In the city of Egypt’s Alexandria, along with the extended corniche and the picturesque Qaitbay, there lives a world of food known to be made by the city’s locals, dishes that are Alexandrian through and through.
We wanted to celebrate these dishes and bring them into the limelight as they are quite special and deserve way more recognition.
Koshery Eskandarani
If you take your car and drive around Cairo, every now and then, you’ll come across restaurants that serve up the national dish, koshery. It has got all the fixings; from rice, pasta and lentils to vermicelli, humus and red salsa, it is the carb-packed dish that has won everyone’s hearts.
Thing is, while driving around Cairo, you wouldn’t come across a place that serves Alexandrian koshery.
Did you know that Alexandria has its own version of this popular dish? In the coastal city, they bring to life what is known as Alexandrian koshery. This version of the special dish is made with rice doused in lentils, a topping of delicious red sauce, and chopped boiled eggs.
Samak Bel Salsa We El Khal
Fish lovers, if you are heading to Alexandria anytime soon, you need to hit up any seafood restaurant. The selection of fish in this city is probably the freshest and of the best quality compared to the rest of Egypt’s governorates.
Along with well-known classics like grilled charcoal fish and sayadeya (a traditional fish and rice dish), one of the city’s hidden gems has to be fried fish covered in vinegar and tomato-based sauce. This dish has been passed on from generation to generation and is probably every Alexandrian kid’s favorite, whipped up by their grandma.
Kebda Eskandarani Sandwich
If you haven’t paid attention, Alexandrines and Cairines have been having a hilarious feud about who serves the best liver sandwiches. This dish is ingrained in Egyptian street culture and can even be craved in the middle of the night. Now, to set the record straight, Alexandria serves up its very own rendition of the sandwich, known as the Alexandrian liver sandwich.
What is special about it is that it is served in Alexandria’s famous thin fino bread, while the kebda itself is cooked with garlic, cumin, lime juice, and bell peppers. Make sure to squeeze some lemon on top for that ultimate kick.
If you ever hit up Alexandria, we recommend trying this sandwich at Kebdet El Falah, one of the best places to have kebda eskandarani.
Foul Eskandarani
Alexandria has its own version of the kebda, koshary, and fried fish, but what about Egypt’s ultimate dish, foul medames (refined beans)?
Well, they’ve got their own version of it as well! In the coastal city, this special dish is made by cooking the fava beans with oil and garlic until they are cooked, then adding tomato and ghee. Then, it gets topped off with fresh chopped onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers, along with a dollop of tahini.
See, we told you that Alexandria is more than its endless seaside corniche and more than its historical monuments; it is a city where people live and breathe food! Be sure to try out all these dishes during your next visit!
