Egypt's Koshari dish added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list

Egypt's delegation to a UNESCO meeting in New Delhi served up portions of the hearty dish as the UN heritage body made the announcement.

Offbeat

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

10 December, 2025

Koshari is widely considered to be Egypt's national dish [Getty]

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced on Wednesday that Egypt's national dish Koshari had been added to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2025.

Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hanno hailed the inclusion of Koshari on the list as a "new confirmation of the status of Egyptian heritage and its ability to inspire and renew, and of the appreciation of the international community for this heritage that Egyptians have preserved over the years”, according to a press statement issued by the ministry.

The minister described Koshari as an "integral part" of Egyptian identity, adding that the coming years will see more facets of Egyptian life and culture included in UNESCO's heritage lists.

The announcement was made as UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held talks in New Delhi.

Egypt's delegation celebrated the announcement by serving Koshari to their counterparts from around the world.

The dish, which consists of rice, lentils, macaroni, vermicelli, fried onions, chickpeas, and tomato sauce, is eaten by millions of Egyptians every day.

While its origins remain unclear, the relatively cheap cost of Koshari's ingredients have made it a popular dish among Egyptians from all walks of life.