What Is Hawawshi? Egypt’s Iconic Street Food

What is hawawshi?
Hawawshi is one of Egypt’s most recognizable street foods — seasoned meat tucked inside baladi-style bread and cooked until the outside becomes crisp and golden while the filling stays juicy and flavorful.

The dish is especially associated with Cairo and is traditionally made with minced meat, onion, peppers, and a warm blend of spices. Every family, butcher, and neighborhood shop has its own version.

A taste of Cairo

Hawawshi is the kind of food you find wrapped in paper, eaten hot, and shared around a table. It’s simple, comforting, and deeply connected to everyday Egyptian food culture.

How Baladi Crafts makes hawawshi

At Baladi Crafts, we make our hawawshi in small batches using carefully seasoned fillings and baladi-style bread. Our hawawshi is frozen fresh so you can cook it at home and still get the crisp bread and flavorful filling that make the dish special.

We currently make Beef Hawawshi, Sujuk Hawawshi, and Mushroom Hawawshi.

How do you cook frozen hawawshi?

Hawawshi can be cooked at home in the oven, air fryer, or skillet. Brush both sides lightly with beef tallow or ghee before cooking for a crisp, golden finish.

Shop Egyptian Hawawshi

Explore our handmade hawawshi and bring a little piece of Cairo home.