Koshari Mama

Koshari Mama on Somerville Avenue serves vegan Egyptian food, starting with the dish in its name. Koshari layers rice, lentils, and pasta with chickpeas and fried onions, then adds vinegar-garlic and tomato sauces. You choose the heat level, from no spice to a sauce that includes ghost peppers.

The rest of the menu gives you reasons to share: falafel, roasted eggplant, hummus, and muhammara, a red pepper and walnut dip. Mushroom shawerma comes with garlic and tahini sauces, while torli is a tomato-based vegetable stew. Lunch and dinner have different menus, and dine-in hours differ from takeout hours. Reservations are available, along with pickup, delivery, and catering. For dessert, look for Egyptian bread pudding or cinnamon-dusted rice pudding.