Exploring the Flavours of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan for tourists is not just about the beautiful destinations or the rich culture, but also about the delicious food served in every nook and corner of this country. The famous Uzbek dishes are a colourful representation of the ancient Silk Road and the local traditions of this Central Asian country. As soon as you step into a food place, you will notice the air to be filled with enticing aroma of exotic spices, fresh herbs, and tender meats. Being a landlocked country, most of the famous food in Uzbekistan is sourced from farms.

The traditional Uzbek food is a celebration of aromatic flavours and rich heritage that connects you with their people. Its flavours are influenced by the history, culture, and traditions of the people, giving you a memorable culinary experience. Each ingredient used in the famous foods of Uzbekistan has a special contribution to the dish that comes together to create a flavour worth tasting.

Must-Try Foods in Uzbekistan

Listed below are the best food in Uzbekistan that you should try on your next trip:

Street Food

• Samsa
• Gumma
• Khanum
• Non Kabob
• Uzbek Burger

Traditional Food

• Plov
• Shashlik
• Manty
• Hanum
• Tukhum Barak
• Mashhurda
• Dolma
• Halva
• Shivit Oshi

Street Food

If you want to try out the local flavours while enjoying the bustling life of this country. Try out the Uzbek street food.

1.     Samsa

Samsa is a famous Uzbek food that you easily find in the streets of Uzbekistan. It is a flaky pastry pocket that is filled with minced meat of lamb or beef along with onions and hints of cumin. You can try this triangle-shaped dish with a cup of tea or coffee. Once you take a bite of this crunchy snack, you will get a savoury flavour that is hard to resist.

2.     Gumma

While on the quest for Uzbek's street food, do check out Gumma. It is an offal pie made from the edible internal parts of an animal (usually pork) such as the kidney, liver, and heart. When you have this pie at a local market, it will mostly be fried. However, when made at home, the pie is baked and served with tomato sauce.

3.     Khanum

Khanum is a steamed dish made with flour and a stuffing of minced meat or potatoes. Similar to a traditional dish called Manti, it has a juicy texture that comes from the meat and the tomato sauce that is poured with it. This simple dish is made by stuffing the flour, rolling it, and cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

4.     Non Kabob

Another must-try Uzbek street food is Non Kabob. It is prepared by making mouth-watering stewed meat with onions, spices, and sauce. This meat is then added to the Non which is a special bread made in the tandoor. Many travellers grab a Non Kabob while on the go or have it as an evening snack.

5.     Uzbek Burger

Your Uzbek street food journey is incomplete without the Uzbek burger. Unlike a classic burger, it is prepared with tandoor tortillas instead of burger buns. The tortilla is cut in half and stuffed with ground shish kebab along with onion and red pepper. Once you try this burger, you will probably forget about all the other burgers you have ever had!

Traditional Food

Dig into the following traditional food of Uzbekistan and satiate your taste buds:

1.     Plov

One of the most popular dishes in Uzbekistan and around the world is Plov. This crown jewel of Uzbekistan is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Made with rice, meat, spices, and vegetables, the outcome of this dish is lip-smacking! Wherever you travel in Uzbekistan, you will find a different version of Plov. So whenever you plan your trip, do try this famous Uzbeki food.

2.     Shashlik

On your traditional food exploration journey in Uzbekistan, try out Shashlik. This meaty delight is known for its simple yet irresistible flavours. The dish is prepared by grilling the marinated pieces of meat along with onions, tomatoes, and capsicum in skewers. Typically, Shashlik is accompanied by fresh vegetables, lavash (flatbread), and suzma, a yoghurt-based sauce.

3.     Manty

If you want to try Uzbek’s take on dumplings, then hog on some Manty. It is one of the most popular dishes in Uzbekistan that you can find in almost every restaurant. The dumpling is stuffed with ground lamb, beef, onions, potatoes, and cabbage. It is served with sour cream, onions, or tomato sauce on the side, completing the dish.

4.     Hanum

Hanum is another one of the traditional dishes of Uzbekistan that you must try. Similar in appearance and taste to Manty, it is easier to make using dough, potatoes, minced meat, and vegetables. Just like Manty, Hanum is also steamed and served with different condiments to elevate its taste.

5.     Tukhum Barak

Yet another dumpling dish of Uzbekistan is the Tukhum Barak. Its name comes from two words 'Tukhum' meaning egg and 'Barak' meaning boiled. This traditional Uzbekistani food is made using eggs and dough. A dumpling dough is stuffed with beaten eggs, milk, butter, and seasonings, giving you a taste to remember.

6.     Mashhurda

Another one on the popular dishes in Uzbekistan list is Mashhurda. It is a hearty soup made from vegetables, meat, rice, and mung beans. The preparation of this soup starts with chopping the meat and vegetables into small cubes and frying them until golden. After this, the mung beans are also fried for 5-7 minutes and then boiled with water. The soup is seasoned with spices and served with sour cream and herbs.

7.     Dolma

Dolma is a traditional Uzbek food similar to cabbage rolls. However, instead of adding cabbage, dolma is wrapped in grape leaves, giving it a unique taste. Its filling consists of meat, vegetables, rice, and spices. Dolmas are usually enjoyed during the spring season as an appetizer or a main course.

8.     Halva

To have that sweet ending to your meal, try out Halva. It is one of the best traditional dishes of Uzbekistan and perhaps the most famous. Prepared with flour, dairy, peanuts, butter, fruit, and much more, this sweet dish has a rich flavour that everyone loves. This sweet treat is given to guests along with sweet tea.

9.     Shivit Oshi

Shivit Oshi is one of the most famous Uzbek dishes that represents the rich culinary heritage of Uzbekistan. Featuring green noodles, vegetables, and meat, it is a delicious meal that you should have. Each ingredient is cooked until tender and accompanied by bread, sour cream, or yoghurt.

When in Uzbekistan, you will have the best food as they are made with not just flavourful spices but with lots of love. So do not wait anymore and look for Uzbekistan tour packages for your next trip to this beautiful country.