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Zooba (Zamalek)

Cairo

Refined street eats from an Egyptian culinary pioneer

On the Pass

Moustafa Elrefaey

A winning duo: In 2012, when the world was at the precipice of a street food revolution, nobody was talking about Egypt. For Egyptian-American businessman Chris Khalifa, it was essential to bring his home country into the conversation. In partnershship with Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award 2023 winner Moustafa Elrefaey, who trained in the US before returning to Egypt, Khalifa opened Zooba in 2012 to bring a refined take on street food that plays with colour and flavour.

What’s on the plate? Expect all the hallmark Egyptian dishes served up in homes across the country and by the vendors that line the roads and markets of the capital. Zooba’s take on the country’s national dish, koshari, brings the blend of rice and short pasta simmered with brown lentils in a spiced tomato sauce, topped with dukkah and fried onions to new dimensions. Its pockets of taameya, Egypt’s falafel variation, topped with heaps of fresh and zingy salad and drizzled in tahini sauce, are a must-order.

Jovial atmosphere: Marked by its inviting turquoise door, Zooba is a wholly casual affair, with its long communal dining table sitting as the centrepiece of the small bistro. Honouring the multi-sensory nature of Cairo’s bustling streetscape, every corner of its interior is accented by splashes of vibrancy. In line with its street food roots, dining is designed to be accessible to all, with truly affordable prices to match.

International fame: After enjoying great success, Zooba has expanded internationally to open outposts in Riyadh and New York, bringing its taste of Cairo to eager diners outside of Egypt. Soon, it will further extend its reach with outlets in Bahrain and Kuwait.

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