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How a Cart in Downtown Cairo Became the Ultimate Egyptian Koshari Spot

August 31, 2022
Photo credit: Koshari Abou Tarek’s Facebook page

Suspended in a large rectangular frame stuck on the walls of a four-storey building, is a photo of an old man smiling and resting his chin on his hand. This is a pose that has been associated with the renowned koshari star, Abou Tarek, for decades. A classic Egyptian dish, koshari is a mix of rice, lentils, chickpeas, and pasta usually served with tomato, chili, and garlic sauces. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” is how Youssef Zaky, popularly known as Abou Tarek (Tarek’s father), describes his career journey. Today, Abou Tarek stands as one of the most popular koshari chains in Egypt, if not the most popular. Abou Tarek started his career strolling around Downtown Cairo with a koshari cart. With passion for a job inherited from his father and grandfather, and dedication to succeeding in it, Abou Tarek strove to develop his small business and improve it by the day. Years after he made a name for himself, Abou Tarek rented his own koshari shop, in the same location he used to sell in. This shop later became a four-storey building housing his…


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