Egyptian koshari officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage dish

The Egyptian Ministry of Culture announced on Wednesday that the dish "Koshari" has been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

For its part, the ministry explained in an official statement that this inclusion makes koshari "the eleventh element registered in the name of Egypt on the lists of intangible heritage," after the approval of the governmental committee for tangible heritage during its meeting currently being held in India.

Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Henou confirmed that "Koshari" represents the first Egyptian dish to be officially registered with UNESCO, noting that the coming period will witness the registration of additional elements related to social and cultural practices passed down through successive generations.

The dish consists of a mixture of pasta, rice, and lentils with fried onions and chickpeas. Red sauce is added to complete the distinctive taste. Specialized shops and food carts are widespread in the streets selling it at prices that suit different categories.

This achievement comes in the context of Egypt’s record of elements listed on UNESCO’s intangible heritage lists, which include stick fighting, puppet shows, hand weaving, in addition to elements shared with other countries such as the simsimiyya and Arabic calligraphy.

The inclusion of koshari reflects international appreciation for popular dishes that carry cultural and social value, and reinforces the status of Egyptian cuisine as a key element of the living, inherited heritage.