Uzbek cuisine, relatively unfamiliar on a global scale.
Local cuisine is one of the delights of traveling, but many might be concerned about what kinds of dishes they are and whether they will suit their palate.
Here, we provide a brief overview of the types of Uzbek dishes available.
Bread as the Staple Food of Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan, bread known as Non is served with almost every meal.
Traditionally, Uzbek households have Tandoor ovens where women bake bread.
Many homes still have these ovens, allowing families to bake their bread.
Non varies in shape and taste depending on the region. The most famous is the non of Samarkand, which can only be made in the specific climate of Samarkand.
Be sure to enjoy the unique bread varieties in each town.
Must-Try Uzbekistani Dishes
Palov
Palov is the quintessential Uzbekistani dish.
It consists of carrots, meat, and rice cooked together and is a staple dish for both everyday meals and special occasions. The ingredients and cooking methods vary by region.
Samsa
Samsa is a bread filled with meat or pumpkin, commonly eaten for lunch in Uzbekistan.
There are versions with crispy pastry crusts and others made with bread dough.
It’s a recommended fast food option for satisfying hunger pangs.
Shashlik
Shashlik is a mouthwatering skewered meat dish featuring tender chunks of meat, available in lamb, beef, chicken, or minced meat options.
The meat, grilled over charcoal, is juicy and delicious.
Lagmon
Handmade noodles originating from Central Asia, Lagmon is a hearty dish packed with various vegetables and served in a tomato-based soup.
There are also versions of Lagmon with fried noodles.
It’s highly recommended in Tashkent and Ferghana.
Qozon Kabob
Qozon Kabob is a traditional Uzbekistani dish often prepared by men during BBQ gatherings.
It consists of meat, potatoes, and sometimes tomatoes.
Given Uzbekistan’s penchant for meat, Qozon Kabob is a popular dish in households.
Manti
Manti are steamed dumplings commonly enjoyed in Central Asia.
Filled with onions and meat, these soft and delicious dumplings are often served with a side of yogurt.
Chuchvara
Chuchvara is a soup where small dumplings are served in a savory broth.
It’s a customary way to enjoy it with a dollop of yogurt.
Norin
A traditional dish from the vicinity of Tashkent, Norin features boiled beef and mutton mixed with noodles. It’s enjoyed with the broth.
Shivit Osh
A regional dish from the Khorezm region in western Uzbekistan, Shivit Osh consists of herb-infused noodles served with a vegetable-rich sauce. It’s commonly found in Khiva.
Dimlama
Dimlama is a steamed meat and vegetable dish known for its flavorful taste without added oil.
The depth of flavor in Uzbekistan’s vegetables enhances the taste of this dish.
Uzbekistan Soups to Soothe Travel Fatigue
Qaynatma Shurva
A classic soup found in restaurants and chaikhanas, simmered with meat and vegetables for an extended period. It’s recommended even when feeling under the weather due to its absence of oils other than those naturally occurring in the meat.
Mastava Soup
Contains finely diced meat, vegetables, and rice. It boasts a gentle flavor.
Uzbekistan Salads
Achikchuchuk Salad
A daily fresh salad in Uzbekistan, consisting of cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions seasoned simply with salt. It’s an indispensable salad, often paired with bread.
Smak Salad
A salad made of tomatoes, cheese, and croutons tossed in mayonnaise. It’s popular as both a dinner menu item and an appetizer in restaurants.
Sabzi Salad
A carrot salad made by Korean-Uzbekistanis, seasoned with vinegar and special spices.
It’s challenging to replicate, so many people opt to buy it at the bazaar.
Baqlajon Salad
Uzbekistan offers several eggplant salads.
Some are made by Korean-Uzbekistanis akin to carrot salads, while others involve mixing fried eggplants with tomatoes.
Fransuzkiy Salad
The most popular beetroot salad, it features mayonnaise, cucumbers, and potatoes.
Muzhskoy kapriz
Translated as “Man’s Whim Salad,” it’s a salad featuring ingredients men typically enjoy, such as meat and cheese.
SRP TRAVEL’s Uzbekistan Gourmet Tours
For approximately seven years based in Japan, SRP TRAVEL has been introducing Uzbekistan through events and cooking classes.
It is because the founder, Obid, took great care to provide detailed explanations about the cuisine of each town, not just the ruins, while serving as a guide within Uzbekistan, and emphasized the importance of offering delicious meals.
Drawing from such experiences, SRP TRAVEL organizes culinary tours that emphasize enjoying delicious cuisine in various locations.
Additionally, for individuals traveling to Uzbekistan, there are short tours available where guests can experience cooking class in Samarkand’s local homes, offering a deeper immersion into Uzbekistan’s food culture.
SRP TRAVEL Gourmet Tour
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Samarkand Home Cooking Experience Short Tour
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Palov Cooking Tutorial Video
For those who want to make Uzbekistan’s Palov dish at home, we have prepared a tutorial video.
We explain how to make Palov from Samarkand in an easy-to-follow manner to ensure you succeed.
Be sure to check it out!
＊The video is explained in Japanese.