Taamiya, also known as Egypt’s fava bean donut hole, is a modern staple in Egyptian breakfast. At a food cart and restaurant called Nasser Al Fayoumi in downtown Cairo, thousands enjoy ful and taamiya dishes daily. This eatery draws in crowds with its affordable offerings.
A Classic Breakfast Duo
Marwa Ezzat and Maha Daqaq often choose taamiya for breakfast. These crunchy bites resemble falafel but use fava beans instead of chickpeas. Many Egyptians enjoy pairing taamiya with ful medames, a mashed fava bean dish. This combination — known locally as ful wi taamiya — balances creamy and zesty with dry and crispy textures.
Historical Roots
Fava beans have a long history in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians offered a version of these beans to their gods over three thousand years ago. Today, the tradition continues as taamiya remains a beloved dish.
A Daily Routine
Yousef Ahmed, a 21-year-old vendor, prepares taamiya at his food cart. He mashes fava beans with herbs and spices like cilantro, dill, and cumin. Each day, he produces more than 4,000 taamiya, frying them in a cauldron of oil. For an affordable price of 10 Egyptian pounds, or 20 cents, people can enjoy a meal of ful wi taamiya. Given that a third of Egyptians live in poverty, this breakfast proves essential for many.
Story adaptation by Dhanika Pineda.
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