Sandwich · Fried Cart
Betengan Ma'li (Fried Eggplant Sandwich)
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The dish gets its kick not from a hot sauce but from da'aa — a raw garlic, chili, and vinegar paste pounded fresh at the cart and spooned straight onto the fried slices.
Rounds of eggplant are shallow-fried until soft and golden, then layered into fresh baladi bread with tomato, tahini, and a spoonful of sharp da'aa sauce. Cairo street carts fry the slices in batches through the evening, assembling sandwiches to order for a quick, meat-free bite.
Why it's made this way: As one of the cheapest vegetable fillings available on the street, betengan ma'li became a staple for Cairenes wanting a filling sandwich without paying meat prices.
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Part of World of Street Food — 3248 dishes from 118 countries.
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