Mona, a young Coptic Egyptian woman living in New York, finds comfort in a simple bowl of koshary. Made with rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, tomato sauce and fried onions, the dish reminds her of home in a way that few things can. Growing up in Egypt, koshary was a familiar part of her everyday life—a meal shared with family, friends, and the community around her.

After moving to New York, Mona found herself surrounded by new languages, cultures, and experiences. While she loved the diversity of the city, she sometimes felt lonely being far from the place she grew up. During those moments, she turns to koshary. “It brings me back,” she explained. The familiar flavors remind her of her childhood and the memories she carries from Egypt.

Over time, Mona began to see a connection between koshary and New York itself. The city is filled with people from different backgrounds, each bringing their own stories and traditions. Like the dish, where different ingredients come together to create something complete, New York is a place where differences exist side by side.

For Mona, koshary is more than just food. It is a reminder that identity is made up of many different parts—her Egyptian roots, her Coptic faith, and her new life in America. Every time she eats it, she is reminded that even though she is far from home, a piece of it stays with her.

– Ounay Tawadrous

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child