Some cuisines are simply more vegetarian-friendly than others. That statement probably makes you think of Indian or Ethiopian food, often meatless by default. Chances are Egypt wasn’t on your mind. But it should be. And in NoVA, we’ve got options. In close proximity, Fava Pot in Falls Church and King of Koshary in Arlington both specialize in the often hard-to-find cuisine. But for Meatless Monday, I headed to the former, which has a few more options than the other.
My primary goal was koshary, the national dish of Egypt. The carbohydrate bomb traces its origins to Indian khichari, but with a tomato sauce that might remind eaters of Italy. Despite the fusion, koshary is an Egyptian original.
At Fava Pot, the koshary relies more heavily on the lentils and rice than other versions I had before, where elbow noodles were just as dominant. I found myself wishing for a little more pasta, but the richly garlicky sauce was enough to distract me. The dish is served with a gravy boat full of the stuff, and I continued to pour it over naked bits of rice as I ate, making sure to avoid sullying my favorite part, the crispy onions on top. This version also comes with a hot sauce, a welcome wake up call to the otherwise placid dish.
The best part of Fava Pot’s koshary? The appetizer portion is enough for a meal and it’s only $6. I can’t think of a better Meatless Monday steal. It left me money to also try the greenest little balls of falafel I’ve ever tasted, with an unexpected spicy kick. Just one more of Fava Pot’s laudable vegetarian assets.// 7393 D Lee Highway, Falls Church
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