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Koshary, a classic Egyptian dish that combines multiple shapes of pasta with rice, lentils, chickpeas, crunchy fried onions and spiced tomato sauce, at Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine.
Koshary, a classic Egyptian dish that combines multiple shapes of pasta with rice, lentils, chickpeas, crunchy fried onions and spiced tomato sauce, at Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine.Read moreCraig LaBan / Staff

Cilantro

Mediterranean$

Tucked into the old Latest Dish spot, this casual South Street-adjacent eatery offers tabbouli, mossakkah, beef shawarma, kunafa and lots of other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean favorites. Craig LaBan is especially fond of the koshary, an Egyptian medley of rice, chickpeas, lentils, tomato sauce and a kaleidoscope of mismatched pasta. “The strands of spaghetti lead you to all corners of the pile while the elbow macaroni tubes channel the spiced tomato sauce — really more a tangy vinaigrette — that reminds you at first of something Italian, then spins you toward the Middle East.”

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The Inquirer aims to represent the geographic, cultural, and culinary diversity of the region in its coverage. Inquirer staffers and contributors do not accept free or comped meals — all meals are paid for by the Inquirer. All dining recommendations are made solely by the Inquirer editorial staffers and contributors based on their reporting and expertise, without input from advertisers or outside interests.