Koshary under the microscope: tracking the price journey of egypt’s favorite street food (2020–2025)
By: Mohamed Atef
From the heart of cairo the capital of the east and a hub of creativity amidst the crowded streets, the blaring carhorns, and newspaper vendors calling out their headlines, one dish continues to reign as a symbol of egypt’s popular culture: koshary. every single day, thousands of egyptians flock to the famous koshary restaurants, neighborhood eateries, and even the small street carts scattered across the city’s old quarters, all in search of a meal that is quick, filling, and relatively affordable ,Koshary is no longer just food it has become a social ritual that unites every class of society, a shared memory passed down through generations
Over the past five years, the price of koshary has experienced significant fluctuations, especially after the Egyptian pound was floated in mid-2022. Prices were directly affected by rising costs of key ingredients such as lentils, rice, and oil, in addition to other operating expenses
Since 2020, the average price of a medium koshary plate ranged between EGP 15 and 18 in popular local restaurants, while it reached EGP 22 in well-known establishments. By mid-2022, amid global developments, notably the Russia-Ukraine war, prices jumped noticeably, with the medium plate reaching EGP 22 and the large, premium plates going up to EGP 27
In 2023, prices stabilized relatively, with minor variations across branches and regions. However, in 2024, the impact of rising raw material costs became evident, pushing medium plate prices to EGP 25–28, with higher increases in upscale areas
By 2025, the medium plate reached EGP 28–30 in popular restaurants and EGP 32–35 in renowned establishments, marking an overall increase of 82% since 2020
The rise in koshary prices has led some families to reduce eating out or turn to cheaper alternatives, while koshary remains a favorite meal for students and workers due to its nutritional value and ease of preparation. Some economists point out that the continued price increases are linked to general inflation and higher production costs, while restaurant owners emphasize that maintaining ingredient quality and health standards is the main factor behind the price hikes.
This increase has also affected consumer behavior in choosing restaurants, with some opting for lower-cost establishments or ordering the smaller portion of the dish. Nevertheless, well-known koshary restaurants continue to attract many customers seeking quality and distinctive taste. Data indicate that demand for koshary has not dropped sharply, but consumers have become more selective in their choices.
Despite the continuous price increases, koshary remains an integral part of daily life for Egyptians and serves as a connection between generations. Yet the question remains: will koshary continue to be “the people’s meal” as we have known it, or will rising prices gradually turn it into a luxury dish?
