Foods Egyptians Smuggle Abroad (Ticket-Free)

You can spot an Egyptian in any airport across the world, and it’s not because of the usual loud phone calls or the fact that they clapped when the flight landed. No, it’s something more subtle. Whether you’re in Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle, or LAX, the telltale sign is their overly stuffed suitcase, labeled with “fragile” stickers—and what’s inside? A carefully concealed stash of Egyptian food.

They act like it’s no big deal, walking through customs with a smile that says “Nothing to see here”, but in reality, they’re secretly sweating bullets. Because the real challenge isn’t the flight, the jet lag, or the fact that they forgot their charger. It’s the food they’re hiding. And trust me, they’ll do whatever it takes to get that roumy cheese and baladi bread through the scanner.

You know what they say, you can take an Egyptian out of Egypt, but you can’t take Egypt out of an Egyptian—especially when it comes to food. Because nothing, and I mean nothing, tastes the same outside of Egypt. Sure, you can find fancy restaurants, gourmet this, and fusion that, but let’s be real, none of it hits the spot like a melted roumi sandwich in fresh baladi bread, and no amount of that fancy avocado toast is going to fix it.

So, if you’re traveling abroad and wondering what to take with you, here’s a list of food that just tastes like home. However, SceneEats is not responsible for any customs debacles, confiscated bags, or awkward conversations with airport security regarding the contents of your luggage.