Roz Bel Laban
Cairo, Egypt
Roz bel laban is Egyptian rice pudding cooked with milk and sugar until creamy, then flavored with vanilla, mastic or orange blossom water. It is served chilled or cool, with nuts, raisins, coconut or other toppings adding texture to the smooth rice.
Why locals eat it
The dessert is part of Egypt’s broad family of milk-and-grain sweets and appears in homes, cafés and casual dessert shops. Its flavor is gentle rather than intensely spiced, making it a useful finish after the stronger garlic, chilli and pickled flavors of a Cairo meal.
Local tip
Taste the plain pudding before choosing toppings, and ask whether it contains nuts or orange blossom water. A small cup is usually enough after a filling meal.
Typically made with
Rice, Milk, Sugar, Mastic, Starch, Nuts. Recipes vary — always check with the vendor if you have allergies.