Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette

 

For centuries, tameya (Egyptian falafel) and fool (crushed fava beans) were the main dishes that all Egyptians, regardless of their financial income, would eat for breakfast. However, over time these all-time Egyptian favorites began to be considered the staple food for those of modest incomes.



Nevertheless, many wealthy Egyptians are now beginning to rediscover their all-time favorites at Noon, an up-market Egyptian bistro situated in the Zamalek district of Cairo. Although Noon serves tameya and fool, the settings are chic and elegant.



Most of Noon’s customers are those who feel uncomfortable buying food off street vendors. The idea of purchasing food that has been left out in the open and prepared in perhaps an unhygienic environment is unsettling for some Egyptians. Thus many flock to clean and stylish eateries such as Noon to indulge in some real Egyptian food.



“We came up with the idea because we love eating traditional Egyptian favorites on the street. This is where it all began. We want to sell these old-time favorites in an environment that is healthy, clean and prepared properly and authentically,” said Engie, co-owner of the restaurant.



“It is all about returning to our roots, to our heritage. Me and many others want to eat fool and tameya for breakfast,” she added.



What makes Noon and other restaurants in it’s category special is the way traditional dishes are served with a twist of modernity.



One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is, for example, Cheese Hawashi and Sweet Potato with Ice Cream. However, competing with street vendors is not easy.



“It is obvious we cannot compete with the prices of food sold on the street. That is definitely the case as there is a lot of cost that is involved. However, we do try and sell our food for the minimum price,” she added.



Some elite customers are not only attracted to the food, but are on the look out for restaurants where the ambience is unique, such as Zooba.



Zooba uses a unique service option where diners use baskets to collect their food. “We serve high quality food that is clean and delicious.



We offer several types of fool, all at different prices. The prices vary depending on the quality and we only stock the best,” said Ahmed Ramadan, Zooba’s manager.



So, how does this new genre of restaurants fare as far as customers are concerned? Farida, who visited Zooba for the first time, said: “The place is located in a nice area, Zamalek. I like it as we don’t have any clean places to eat fool in Zamalek.”



Joe, a young Egyptian boy, was all for Noon. “Yeah, I will come again. I will tell all my friends that they really need to come here. I love fool, tameya, sweet potatoes and Hawashi,’’ he said.



“The waiters and staff act like as if they own the place. They’re always smiling and seem to be enjoying their work. The food is delicious to taste and the ingredients are unique,” said Heba Mahroos, a Saudi woman who lives in Egypt.



Tagreed Yousef, an Egyptian woman who was also visiting Zooba for the first time, felt it was home away from home. “Actually, I feel like I am in my grandmother’s kitchen,” she added.



Habeba, another diner at Zooba, said, “It is cleaner than other places and the food is delicious but I have to say the fool on the street is better.



I think some people will find the prices a tad expensive.” Others complain about parking. “Zooba is a very nice place yet there are not enough car parking places,” said Sara Mohammed.



Regardless of the prices and parking complaints, Cairo’s new bistros are certainly bringing Egyptians back to their roots by nurturing their taste buds to appreciate all-time favorite Egyptian dishes.