Go Back
Authentic Shorbet Lesan El Asfour recipe served in a bowl with toasted orzo pasta, parsley, and lemon

Shorbet Lesan El Asfour Recipe (Egyptian Orzo Soup)

This authentic Shorbet Lesan El Asfour recipe is a classic Egyptian orzo soup made with toasted orzo pasta simmered in rich chicken broth with butter, warm cardamom, and bay leaves. This comforting Egyptian bird tongue soup is simple, cozy, and full of traditional Middle Eastern flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the perfect Ramadan soup, starter, or comforting side dish for family dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Egyptian, Middle Eastern
Calories: 185
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup orzo pasta - lesan el asfour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp salt - or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper - or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Chopped fresh parsley - for garnish
  • Lemon wedges - for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
    Butter and olive oil heating in a soup pot for Shorbet Lesan El Asfour recipe
  2. Add the orzo pasta.
    Orzo pasta added to the pot for Shorbet Lesan El Asfour
  3. Toast for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply golden brown and fragrant.
    Toasting orzo pasta until golden brown for authentic Egyptian orzo soup
  4. Pour in the chicken broth carefully and stir well to prevent sticking.
    Chicken broth being added to toasted orzo pasta for Shorbet Lesan El Asfour soup
  5. Add the salt, black pepper, ground cardamom, and bay leaves.
    Cardamom and bay leaves added to Egyptian bird tongue soup while simmering
  6. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the orzo is tender and the broth becomes slightly creamy.
    Shorbet Lesan El Asfour soup simmering until the orzo becomes tender and creamy
  7. Remove the bay leaves and ladle the soup into serving bowls.
    Egyptian orzo soup shorbet lesan el asfour ready to serve
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
    Authentic Egyptian orzo soup garnished with parsley and served with lemon

Notes

  • Toasting the orzo well is the key to achieving authentic Egyptian flavor.
  • The soup thickens as it cools, so add extra broth when reheating if needed.
  • Fresh lemon juice balances the rich buttery broth beautifully.
  • For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.