What is the Egyptian rice pudding known as?

The Egyptian rice pudding known as roz bel laban is a classic dessert made from rice, milk, and sugar.

Roz bel laban, also written ruz bil laban, is typically cooked until the rice becomes soft and the mixture thickens. Vanilla, mastic, coconut, raisins, cinnamon, or nuts may be used depending on the recipe. It is served chilled or at room temperature, often in individual dishes and sometimes topped with pistachios.

The Arabic name means “rice with milk,” a straightforward description of the dish. Rice pudding is found across the Middle East and beyond, but Egyptian versions are especially familiar under this name and are common in homes, bakeries, and dessert shops.

Roz bel laban is different from om ali, another Egyptian dessert made with baked pastry or bread, milk, sugar, and nuts. It is also distinct from mahalabia, a milk pudding thickened with starch and usually made without rice.