Laklouk Is the Cairo Shop Keeping the Historic Dessert Balouza Alive

“Are you going to feed me balouza?” has been an iconic saying children grew up hearing their parents saying. It, more or less, means you’ve eaten something so light and almost non-existent, someone must have definitely pranked you. But when it comes to the actual balouza, no pranks are actually involved, only deliciousness. And that’s exactly what this week's episode of 'A Story from Every Corner' is all about. 

‘’Balouza is a historic dish because it entered Egypt during the Fatimid dynasty,’’ says Eman Laklouk, owner of Balouza Laklouk, to SceneEats. ‘’This shop has been passed down to me from my grandparents. We’ve been making balouza for almost five decades. No one else in this country makes them but us.’’

Located at El Gamaleya, it only makes sense for Balouza Laklouk to operate there because that’s where the Fatimid dynasty originated. The dish consists of milk and starch where it gets made on a bed of saj. It then gets cut into tiny pieces where honey, raisins and coconut are added. We don’t know about you, but this sounds like a winning recipe. 

Although Balouza Laklouk used to only operate during Ramadan, you can now actually have it whenever you feel like you fancy the historical dessert. If you ever find yourself close to El Gamaleya, make sure to do yourself a favour and pop by for a visit. Thank us later.