Sambusa Ye Misir

Sambusa Ye Misir is an Ethiopian savory pastry consisting of a thin, triangular dough shell that is deep-fried. The crispy shell is traditionally stuffed with seasoned, cooked lentils. It is a highly popular vegan street food and snack across the Horn of Africa.

The lentil filling is typically prepared by cooking the lentils down with onions and garlic. It is then heavily seasoned with traditional Ethiopian spices, most notably berbere. This spice blend gives the filling a savory, warm, and mildly spicy kick.

While the two pastries share historical culinary roots, the Ethiopian sambusa is generally smaller and has a much thinner, crispier shell. Additionally, the use of traditional Ethiopian spices like berbere gives the sambusa a distinctly different flavor profile. The sambusa dough is also typically rolled out much thinner than heavy samosa pastry.

These lentil-stuffed pastries are heavily consumed during the fasting periods of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, when meat and dairy are strictly avoided. Because they are entirely vegan, they provide a filling and flavorful meal during religious holidays. They are also a common street food served during everyday celebrations.