Ever since my trip to Spain, particularly in Cordoba, I’ve been obsessed with Koshari. It was quite easy to find Egyptian or Middle Eastern restaurants serving Koshari in Europe. However, it’s difficult to find it in a Southeast Asian country like Malaysia. While falafel and hummus are as common as a tikka masala, Koshari is a rare gem. To my current knowledge, it’s not served in any Arab restaurants in or around Kuala Lumpur. But there are home cooks who can serve Koshari.
What Is Koshari?
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Okay. Now it’s at your own risk. Ready? Let’s go!
Koshari is an Egyptian comfort food. It’s a comforting bowl of pantry staples consisting of lentils, rice, chickpeas and pasta. I know—what a combination!
With crispy, thin fried onions and special tomato sauce spiked with vinegar on top, your tongue will dance.
It’s technically easy to make, but it does take some time. And it’s usually made as a big batch and wouldn’t be worth it for just one or two servings. I haven’t tried making it myself, but maybe I will one day.
How I Fell in Love with Koshari
I was in Cordoba with a friend in December 2023. We only had a budget for inexpensive food, so usually we would go to Arab restaurants. Plus, those were the places that serve halal food.
There was a restaurant called Pasillo Oriental near the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. I was looking for plant-based food, and I saw that the description of Koshari seemed vegan. I didn’t know what it was at that time, but I was open to trying.
When it arrived, I was just amazed by the weird mix of carbs (pasta and rice). They served the sauce, and so I poured it on top. And then I tasted it.
It was love at first bite!
I loved it so much that I went back again another day to have another bowl of the comforting Koshari.
Since then, I had an extra eye out for Koshari at Egyptian restaurants.
Recipe For When I’m Ready to Make Koshari
I found this food blog, The Mediterranean Dish, with a recipe for cooking Koshari. Hopefully, I will try it one day. It would be nice to cook and serve for a group of people who would appreciate this dish.
Where to Get Koshari in Kuala Lumpur
I’m so grateful for a friend who found someone who can cook Koshari in Kuala Lumpur. They only do big batches. I think one set would be enough for 6-8 people, depending on appetite. They’re called Amira’s Kitchen and you can order through phone or whatsapp at +60193980535.
Let me know if you’ve tried Koshari and what you think of it!
