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Hawawshi — traditional dish from Cairo, Egypt
Street food Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥620kcal
💪35gProtein
🌾50gCarbs
🥑28gFat
🌿3gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Hawawshi

How to order / say it
Say it حواوشى — [ha-WOW-shee]
Order I'd like the Hawawshi, please.
Locally من فضلك، أريد حواوشى.
Say locally

Spicy minced meat stuffed in flatbread, baked until crispy.

Why try it?

Hawawshi is a popular street food that showcases Cairo's love for hearty, flavorful meals. Its satisfying mix of textures and spices provides a vibrant snapshot of Egyptian culinary tradition.

How it tastes

Hawawshi is richly spiced with aromatic herbs and a hint of chili, tender on the inside with a crispy, toasted bread exterior. The cooked meat releases flavorsome juices, creating a savory and irresistible pocket.

Origin & History — first documented: 1970

Hawawshi was created in Cairo during the 1970s by an innovative street food vendor named Ahmed Hawawshi. It quickly became a beloved local staple, synonymous with economic comfort and convenience across the city.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥩 400 g minced beef or lamb
  • 🌾 2 pieces flatbread
  • 🧄 100 g onions
  • 🥕 2 pieces green chili
  • 🌿 10 g coriander
  • 🧂 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 🧂 1 tsp black pepper

Method

  1. 1 Mix minced meat with spices, chopped onions, and chili.
  2. 2 Stuff the mixture into flatbread pockets.
  3. 3 Bake until the bread is crisp and the meat is cooked through.
  4. 4 Serve hot, optionally with a side of pickles.

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All Africa recipes — Egypt — Cairo — Hawawshi
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