Uzbekistan Meals You Should Strive
Whenever you consider Uzbekistan, you most likely think about these gorgeous blue-tiled landmarks – Registan Sq., the huge Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara, and the traditional vibes of Khiva. However let me spill the beans (or quite, the plov, on this case 😉) – there’s one thing else in Uzbekistan that’s simply as mind-blowing: the meals. After travelling via this nation for 2 superb weeks, I can confidently say my love for Uzbek meals is actual. Even writing this text makes me drool over the meals footage 🤤 And the most effective half about Uzbekistan is that, with over 90% of the inhabitants being Muslim, halal meals isn’t just accessible; it’s a culinary journey ready to be explored!
HTG Tip: When you’re trying to find your subsequent journey vacation spot, contemplate Uzbekistan! Try our article on the 6 Causes to Go to Uzbekistan to encourage you to e-book these flight tickets to this unbelievable vacation spot!
Since Uzbekistan was as soon as an important a part of the Silk Highway, it shares similarities with dishes from different Silk Highway areas throughout Asia and the Center East. Dumplings, for instance, are referred to as “manti” and look just like the Korean dumplings which can be referred to as “mandu”, whereas the well-known Uzbek Plov shares similarities with Afghan Pilau.
Now, Uzbek meals is normally all about meat, however don’t fear, vegetarians – there are vegetarian choices for you, too! So, whether or not you’re a meat eater or a vegetarian, let’s get into Uzbek delicacies alongside the Silk Highway. What are the must-try meals in Uzbekistan, chances are you’ll ask. You’re in the precise place as a result of I’ve listed 11 Uzbekistan meals you have to attempt.
Are you able to dig in? Bon Appétit, or as they are saying in Uzbek, “Yoqimli Ishtaha!”
Uzbekistan Meals You Should Strive
1. Plov
With out making an attempt plov, your journey to Uzbekistan is incomplete. Plov is broadly referred to as the nation’s nationwide dish and is often ready with love throughout festivities and particular occasions. This one-pot marvel consists of rice, succulent chunks of meat (normally lamb or beef), carrots, onions, garlic, raisins, and a sprinkling of fragrant spices equivalent to cumin and coriander. All the things comes collectively properly, leading to a dish that’s as visually beautiful as it’s tasty. It’s the kind of meals that makes you marvel why you haven’t eaten it your whole life because it’s so good!
Plov is usually accessible at eating places serving Uzbek delicacies. Nonetheless, if you wish to expertise it really, it is best to go to a “Plov Centre” in one of many cities you’re visiting. You’ll undoubtedly be in a plov heaven!
Plov, non and achichuk. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
You may see the workers cook dinner this dish in big iron cauldrons, or “kazans,” over an open fireplace, the place the magic occurs. The consequence? A plate of heat plov ready for you on the desk, accompanied by Uzbek bread (‘non), an array of aspect salads, and a cup of tea to finish the feast.
2. Non
In Uzbekistan, bread is kind of important. This treasured loaf is greater than merely a aspect dish; it’s a cultural image of togetherness and a necessary a part of each meal. In clay ovens, baked to golden perfection, non combines a hearty crust and a pillowy centre.
Folks promoting handmade non will be seen in each bazaar and on many avenue corners. They’re usually formed like a hoop, nearly like a large bagel, however with the centre not fairly punched. When you’re wandering via bazaars, you’ll be able to spot some bread stamps with cool designs – they’re like little artwork items with metallic pins in wood handles.
Recent non in Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
3. Shashlik
Shashlik is the Uzbek tackle kebabs. Chunks of marinated meat, usually lamb or beef, are skewered and completely grilled. The consequence? Juicy, flavorful chunks of meat with a touch of smokiness.
Shashlik with Achichuk. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
Throughout Uzbekistan, you’ll discover a great deal of shashlik choices – chunks of beef, lamb, or rooster, and in the event you’re feeling adventurous, you would possibly even come upon shashlik made with horse meat! Now, for you vegetarian travellers, no worries! You may dig into vegetable shashlik with grilled skewers of potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, or peppers.
4. Somsa
These flaky, triangular pastries are crammed with a tasty combination of minced meat (usually beef or lamb), onions, spices blends, and a little bit of lamb fats for that additional flavour. They’re baked to golden perfection, leading to irresistible snacks. Anticipate a pleasant crunch as you chew into the crispy layers of pastry, revealing a flavorful meat filling.
Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
You would possibly come upon potato, pumpkin, or onion somsa, which makes it appropriate for vegetarian travellers to savour the vegetarian model of this pastry.
5. Manti
These pockets of pleasure are basically Uzbek dumplings. They’re filled with floor lamb or beef, onion, and spiced to perfection. The magic occurs once they’re steamed, leaving you comfortable and doughy outdoors with a burst of juicy goodness from the meaty filling. Manti is served with yoghurt for dipping, which works collectively properly to steadiness out the richness of the meat.
Manti topped with yogurt. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
You may often encounter manti crammed with vegetarian-friendly substances equivalent to potatoes or pumpkin. Nonetheless, if the filling isn’t indicated on the menu, you’ll be able to anticipate it to be crammed with meat.
6. Lagman Soup
Let’s speak about Lagman Soup, a bowl of Uzbek consolation meals. Uzbek Lagman is a standard noodle dish that Uzbeks adopted from Uyghur Turks a long time in the past, which can be a well-liked dish in Kazakh and Kyrgyz cuisines. This soup combines chewy hand-pulled noodles, tender meat (usually lamb or beef), and vibrant greens like bell peppers, carrots, and onions. All of this richness simmers in a aromatic broth seasoned with cumin seed, parsley, and basil.
Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
7. Mastava
That is one among my favorite soups that I had in Uzbekistan. Mastava is a thick, hearty soup of rice, beef, potatoes, onion, carrot and sprinkle of cilantro. To degree up the flavour, you may also put a dollop of bitter cream, making it additional creamy!
That is the meals you need to eat when it’s chilly outdoors! ⛄
A bowl of mastava. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
8. Shivit Oshi
Once I first noticed Shivit Oshi, I used to be struck by how lovely the inexperienced color of this noodle dish was! The inexperienced noodles have been infused with dill, making them visually interesting and engaging. They’re topped with a meat stew, peppers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and carrots, and served with yoghurt or bitter cream on the aspect.
Shivit Oshi for lunch in Khiva. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
Shivit Oshi is Khiva’s unique dish. Each restaurant in Khiva’s previous metropolis has it on the menu, making it an area treasure. Nonetheless, you received’t discover this dish anyplace else in Uzbekistan. So, ensure that to attempt Shivit Oshi earlier than leaving Khiva!
9. Guzlama
Guzlama for breakfast. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
One other common dumpling in Uzbekistan is guzlama. This fried dumpling originated in Khiva and is usually served as an appetiser. The filling can fluctuate, however chopped beef or lamb, onion, and potatoes are the commonest. I had guzlama for breakfast in Khiva and couldn’t cease consuming them as a result of they had been so scrumptious!
10. Achichuk
Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
Achichuk is a straightforward tomato and onion salad served with Uzbek cuisines equivalent to plov and shashlik. Due to the quantity of greens grown in Uzbekistan, recent salads are at all times served alongside scorching dishes. Achichuk is one among many. Personally, I’m not a giant fan of tomatoes, however belief me after I say that tomatoes in Uzbekistan are totally different, in a great way! They’ve a vibrant color and are juicy and candy. I take pleasure in them with non and much more so with a plate of heat plov. It provides a refreshing twist to the primary programs.
11. Dimlama
Dimlama for dinner. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
Dimlama is an Uzbek stew product of meat, potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage. Meat and greens are minimize into massive items, so it’s no shock they maintain their form even after hours of cooking. The style is intense, the meat is tremendous tender and you’ll absorb the stew juice with non. Yumm!
Dimlama is claimed to be a standard harvest meal which is normally served throughout the fall. So, I used to be lucky to be in Uzbekistan in September and was capable of pattern this unbelievable dish!
HTG Tip: With Uzbek and Russian being the first languages spoken, think about using Google Translate that will help you order meals at eating places. For extra tech-savvy ideas, discover our 7 Important Muslim Journey Apps article to find different helpful apps on your journey as a Muslim traveller 📱
Bonus: Should-Strive Drinks in Uzbekistan
1. Tea
In Uzbekistan, tea is greater than only a drink – it’s like a heat hug of friendship and hospitality. Whenever you arrive at your guesthouse, you’ll seemingly be greeted with a cup of tea ☕
Right here’s the tea sport in Uzbekistan – you’ll get the entire teapot accompanied by a number of small bowls. Uzbeks don’t do teacups; they sip their tea from bowls. And when your tea arrives, there’s just a little ritual that you could be need to comply with.
First issues first, let the tea steep for a bit. Give it a minute to absorb all that flavour goodness. Enable a couple of minutes for the steeping to finish. Then, prepare for some pouring motion. Pour the tea into one of many bowls after which again into the teapot. Repeat this mixing a number of occasions – it’s just like the Uzbek manner of guaranteeing the tea’s completely blended. Lastly, it’s distribution time. You may assist pour everybody else’s tea earlier than pouring it into your personal bowl.
2. Pomegranate Juice
I’ve talked about Uzbekistan’s nationwide dish – plov, and now it’s time to disclose their nationwide fruit: the beautiful ruby-red pomegranate. This fruit will be present in virtually each a part of the nation. However right here’s the twist – in Uzbekistan, they’re not simply munching on these crimson gems however turning them into recent juice. Think about the noon solar beating down; this candy, barely tart pomegranate juice will be your saviour! 🥤
Hit up the bazaars or stroll previous avenue distributors, and also you’ll discover individuals promoting this refreshing juice. A cup of recent pomegranate juice will solely value you round 10,000 Som.
Recent pomegranate juice. Photographer: Gia. Halal Journey Information, All Rights Reserved.
That’s all 11 Uzbekistan meals (and drinks) you have to attempt! I’m certain there are lots of extra dishes I haven’t skilled throughout my first go to. If I might return to Uzbekistan just for one motive, it might undoubtedly be for the meals 😋 Now that you realize Uzbekistan is house to great Islamic historical past, superb landmarks, and a wide range of hearty and scrumptious cuisines, wouldn’t you need to come to this nation? 🤩
Are you prepared to go to Uzbekistan?
If you wish to immerse your self in Uzbekistan’s tradition, heritage and Islamic historical past, we’re completely satisfied to share that we organise group excursions to Uzbekistan. We host a number of departures to Uzbekistan all year long. Try the Halal Journey Information journey web page and discover out if a set of dates matches your schedule. ✨
The Creator
Assalamu’alaikum, hello!
I’m Gia, Journey Supervisor of Halal Journey Information. I’m an Indonesian residing in Jakarta. In addition to writing (principally about travel-related subjects), I’m additionally eager on travelling and cooking. My love language is meals, and I’m a cat particular person. I hope you take pleasure in this text!
