‘Fesikh': The smelly fermented fish many Egyptians love forever no matter what

Egypt Today

20-04-2025

CAIRO – 20 April 2025: Every year, Egyptians celebrate Sham El-Nessim, a springtime tradition filled with colored eggs, fermented fish, and gatherings at parks or beaches.
Sham El-Nessim falls on the day that follows Easter Sunday every year. This year, Sham El-Nessim will be celebrated tomorrow and fesikh (fermented fish) is, as usual, the star of the show.
In the days leading up to the holiday, shops selling fesikh have been bustling with eager customers—men, women, and kids alike—who can't wait to dig in, sometimes even before the official celebration starts.
Despite the Egyptian Ministry of Health issuing warnings about fesikh almost every year, it seems to have little effect.
The preparation of fesikh involves creating an anaerobic environment for the fish to ferment, which unfortunately can also promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
The ministry has noted these bacteria can produce toxins that may lead to botulism, weaken the immune system, and cause food poisoning.
Yet, fesikh remains a beloved tradition in Egyptian households.
No matter how sophisticated some may try to seem, you can often catch a whiff of fesikh in the air coming from inside their homes, accompanied by the ever-present green onions and bread.
'I come from a family of doctors, and they all love it madly,' Amr Abdel Fattah shared with Egypt Today.
'I walk in and immediately smell the one thing I hate the most, only to find out it's all ready. It's crazy how that smell lingers even after it's eaten!'
When it comes to fesikh, people are either passionate fans or staunch haters.
'There's no middle ground—you're either a fan or an enemy,' said Mohamed Mohamed.
'I hate it and believe there are many more like me. I just don't understand how anyone can eat something that smells like that!'
This love-hate relationship was humorously captured in the popular Egyptian film Assal Eswed, starring Ahmed Helmy.
Helmy plays Masry El-Araby, an Egyptian-American who returns to Egypt after 20 years and is shocked to find his friends planning to eat the 'smelly' fish.
After a bit of resistance, he gives it a try and ends up loving it—so much so that he can't stop eating until he feels sick.
'I ate so much my stomach might ache,' he says, only to be told, 'Fesikh won't give you a stomachache; you either die or live!'
Fesikh isn't the only fish making waves during Sham El-Nessim. Renga (herring) and the extremely salty melouha are also popular options that many people cherish.
Renga is seen as fesikh's fiercest competitor, while melouha is a beloved delicacy in the South.
'I've never eaten and will never eat fesikh. I only love renga,' said Hassanein Mohamed, emphasizing the divide that continues to exist.