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Egyptian Food:
In Egypt, dining out
can range from stand-up sandwich bars to luxurious five-course meals.
You can find small, inexpensive establishments that serve good Egyptian
food for only a few pounds. The larger cities even have Western-style
fast-food chains like McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but they're
relatively expensive. In cities both food and water are safe.
EGYPTIAN MEALS
Although Egyptian eating
habits may seem erratic, most natives begin the day with a light
breakfast of beans (or bean cakes), eggs, and/or pickles, cheeses, and
jams. Most families eat their large, starchy lunch around 1400-1700 and
follow it with a siesta. They may take a British-style tea at 1700 or
1800 and eat a light supper (often leftovers from lunch) late in the
evening. Dinner parties, however, are scheduled late, often no earlier
than 2100, with the meal served an hour or two later. In restaurants
lunch is normally 1300-1600, dinner 2000-2400.
Restaurants
In Egypt, as in the rest of
the world, restaurants are only as good as the cooks they employ, Most
establishments use native ingredients and will offer fruits and
vegetables in season. Menus are in both Arabic and English except in
Alexandria, where they are in Arabic and French. In large restaurants,
the maitre d'hotel will speak English, French, and possible German,
Italian, or Greek. These establishments serve a mixture of international
cuisine but often include Egyptian or Middle Eastern fare as well. Most
hotels also maintain 24-hour coffee shops.
Many of the smaller,
Egyptian-style restaurants specialize in basic meat and fava-bean
dishes. They are simple and inexpensive. Waiters speak little English,
so use your phrase book.
Snack Bars
Throughout Egypt, little
stand-up shops dispense the Egyptian version of the fast food. Most of
these shops in major cities are clean and offer quick, inexpensive, and
nutritious meals. Most shops have helpful staff, but during their busy
times you may have to push your way into the pack of Egyptians to get
waited on. You can buy roasted chickens that the shop will season for
you. You can also get shawirma (Gyros), lamb cooked on a vertical split,
available most of the day.
Egyptian Home Cooking
If you're lucky, you may be
invited to dine in an Egyptian home. There are no set times for dinner;
often hours will depend upon your host's profession. Although
invitations may be issued for as late as 0100, generally if no time is
set, guests are expected between 2100-2200 hours. If you wish, you may
bring flowers, chocolates, or a bottle of wine (if you hosts drink--many
Muslims do not). You will be introduced to other guests and perhaps the
host's entire family.
Dining customs vary
throughout the country, so try to follow examples set by your host and
any fellow guests. Depending upon the family's own customs and the size
of the party, men and women may split up for cocktails (nonalcoholic
drinks in strict Muslim homes) and then rejoin at the dinner table,
where seating is usually random. All the food is set in the middle of
the table at the beginning of the meal. If no silverware is provided,
use your bread as a combination fork and spoon. Guests are not expected
to clear their plates, and you'll need to refuse more than once to
convince your host that you really can't eat anymore. Complimenting the
hostess on her cooking skills as well as (for women) asking her for
recipes are in good taste and appreciated. After dinner, guests remove
from the dining room to drink mint tea or coffee. Wait at least a
half-hour from the end of the meal before you take you leave; compliment
the cook again, and extend your thanks (alf shokren).
Food
Drinks
About the
Egyptian Food History: Article 01
About the
Egyptian Food History: Article 02
About the
Egyptian Food History: Article 03
About the
Egyptian Food History: Article 04
Restaurants Guides and Data
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