Foul Medames (Egyptian Fava Beans with Cumin & Lemon)
فول مدمس (زیرے اور لیموں والا مصری باقلا)
Foul (pronounced "fool") is Egypt's national breakfast and one of the oldest dishes in the world: small brown fava beans simmered slowly until soft, then mashed with garlic, cumin, lemon juice and olive oil, and topped with chopped tomato, parsley and chilli. It's cheap, filling and eaten by everyone, from street carts in Cairo to homes across Sudan, Syria and the Gulf. With tinned fava beans it's ready in 15 minutes, and South Asian readers will find it close to a tangy chana or lobia dish.
- ⏱ Total: 20 min
- Prep: 5 min
- Cook: 15 min
- Easy
- Serves 4
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
Simmer the beans in their liquid with the garlic and cumin for 10 minutes, adding a splash of water if needed.
Mash about half the beans roughly with a fork or masher, leaving the rest whole. Stir in the lemon juice, half the olive oil and the salt.
Spoon into a shallow bowl, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and top with tomato, onion, parsley and chilli.
Serve warm with bread and boiled eggs.
Kitchen notes
Tinned fava beans (foul medames) are sold in Middle Eastern, Turkish and many South Asian shops.
Using dried beans? Soak overnight and simmer for 2–3 hours, or pressure-cook for 45 minutes.
No fava beans? Brown lentils or chickpeas make a similar, tasty breakfast.
Egypt’s breakfast
Foul medames has been eaten in Egypt for thousands of years, and it remains the breakfast of the nation: sold from huge copper pots on street carts in the early morning, eaten in homes and served in every simple restaurant. It’s also loved in Sudan, the Levant and across the Gulf, especially at sehri during Ramadan.
Simple and filling
The beans are cooked until very soft, then partly mashed so the dish is creamy with some whole beans for texture. Garlic, cumin, lemon and olive oil are the classic seasonings; toppings vary from house to house.
A pulse dish South Asians will love
With its tangy lemon, cumin and chilli, foul feels familiar to anyone who loves chana chaat or lobia. It’s a protein-rich, budget-friendly breakfast that keeps you full for hours.
Serving
Serve warm with bread, boiled eggs, pickles and raw vegetables, and perhaps falafel. See our sehri ideas for more filling pre-dawn meals.
Questions people ask
What are fava beans?
Also called broad beans (in Urdu, baqla). The small dried brown variety is used for foul.
Is foul only eaten at breakfast?
Mostly, but in Egypt it's eaten any time of day, and it's a popular sehri dish in Ramadan because it keeps you full.
Can I add tahini?
Yes. A spoon of tahini mixed in is a popular Levantine style.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 280
- Protein
- 13 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
