Local food map Cairo (Egypt)
Cairo guides
Recipes 16
Pick a recipe
All Cairo recipes
Mahshi — traditional dish from Cairo, Egypt
Main course Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥450kcal
💪10gProtein
🌾70gCarbs
🥑12gFat
🌿8gFibre
⚖️300 gServing

* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Mahshi

How to order / say it
Say it محشي — [MAH-shee]
Order Please bring me some mahshi.
Locally من فضلك أريد محشي.
Say locally

Vegetables stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.

Why try it?

Mahshi is an iconic symbol of Egyptian hospitality and communal dining, often prepared for gatherings and celebrations, emphasizing shared meals and mastery of flavors.

How it tastes

Soft, tender vegetables encase a flavorful filling of seasoned rice or rice and meat, offering a rich, aromatic experience often accompanied by a tangy tomato sauce.

Origin & History — first documented: 1800

Introduced during the Ottoman Empire's influence in Egypt, mahshi became popular in Cairo in the 19th century, showcasing the adaptation of stuffed vegetables into Egyptian tradition.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 4 bell peppers
  • 🌾 200 g rice
  • 🥣 200 ml tomato sauce
  • 🌿 10 g dill
  • 🌿 10 g parsley
  • 🧄 50 g onions
  • 🫒 30 ml olive oil

Method

  1. 1 Hollow out vegetables.
  2. 2 Mix rice with herbs and sautéed onions.
  3. 3 Stuff vegetables with filling.
  4. 4 Simmer in tomato sauce until tender.

More from Cairo

Stuffed Pigeon © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Meat

Stuffed Pigeon

حمام محشي
hah-maam mah-shee

A traditional dish with pigeons stuffed with a spiced rice mix.

Ta'ameya © Wikimedia Commons
Street food Vegan

Ta'ameya

طعمية
tah-ah-MEE-yah

An Egyptian variant of falafel made with fava beans, mixed with herbs and spices, and deep-fried.

Hawawshi © Wikimedia Commons
Street food Meat

Hawawshi

حواوشى
ha-WOW-shee

Spicy minced meat stuffed in flatbread, baked until crispy.

Molokhia © Wikimedia Commons
Soup Vegan

Molokhia

ملوخية
moo-loh-HEE-yah

A green soup made from finely chopped jute leaves, garlic, and coriander.

Feteer Meshaltet © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Feteer Meshaltet

فطير مشلتت
Fee-teer Meh-shal-teet

A flaky pastry layered with butter, often topped or filled with sweet or savory ingredients.

Kabab © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Meat

Kabab

كباب
kah-BAHB

Grilled spiced lamb skewers, a popular choice among meat lovers in Egypt.

Fatta Medames © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegan

Fatta Medames

فول مدمس
FOOL MED-ah-mes

A traditional breakfast dish of slow-cooked fava beans spiced with cumin and lemon.

Tahini Salad © Wikimedia Commons
Starter Vegan

Tahini Salad

سلطة طحينة
Ta-hee-nee sah-la-tah

A simple salad featuring tahini sauce mixed with fresh vegetables.

Fattah
Main course Meat

Fattah

فتة
faht-tah

A festive dish made of crispy bread pieces layered with rice, meat, and tangy tomato sauce.

Tarator © Wikimedia Commons
Starter Vegan

Tarator

طرطور
TAH-rah-tor

A creamy dip or soup made with tahini, garlic, and lemon.

All Africa recipes — Egypt — Cairo — Mahshi
keyboard_arrow_up