Koshary
(This article refers to the dish. For the Virginia music group, please see Koshari)
Kushari, often transliterated as kosheri or koshari, (Egyptian Arabic: كشرى; translit: kosharī) is a popular traditional Egyptian national dish, normally eaten in specialty Kushari restaurants that serve little else. It consists of a base of rice, black lentils, chickpeas, macaroni, and a topping of Egyptian garlic and vinegar and spicy tomato sauce (salsa). Small pieces of deeply fried onions are commonly put as an extra topping. Often meat (shawarma) is available as an extra topping, but kushari is overwhelmingly eaten in its vegetarian state, sometimes in fast-food establishments that also serve ta'meyya/falafel. Smaller restaurants serve either Kushari or ta'meyya while larger ones (often chain restaurants) serve both.
Kushari is one of the most common and most popular dishes in Egypt. Along with Kushari and soft drinks, the most common other dish at Kushari establishments is a sweet rice pudding (Egyptian Arabic: رز باللبن, ruzz belaban; literally "rice with milk"). Served at Iftar, Kushari is also available at restaurants, some specializing in just this dish.
Similar dishes in other cuisines
Kushari may be related to the Indian khichdi (sometimes called khichari), which is also made with rice and lentils, and thus by extension to the Anglo-Indian kedgeree. There is also a similar dish popular in the Levant (Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon); only rice and black lentils are used, without any toppings. This recalls the rice and beans dishes of the Caribbean such as Hoppin' John and Gallo Pinto.