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Plov

Uzbek in origin. Think rice pilaf with fried julienned carrots, red pepper, caraway seeds, and chunks of meat. Plov is so ubiquitous throughout the region that self-described local connoisseurs can discern differences that are imperceptible to foreigners, much like the relationship Americans have with pizza and chili. We’ll keep our radar tuned for the first Central Asian plov cook-off

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BOORSOK / BAURSAK / PISHME (TM) 

In Central Asia, little fried pieces of dough are made for special events or respected guests.  They’re also served as appetizers in restaurants.  They’re a bit like doughnuts, but not sweet.  However, we do like to eat them with homemade jam or dip them in honey.  Most restaurants, hotels, and guesthouses will serve them like this.

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BREAD – LEPYOSHKA, TANDYR NAN, PATYR NAN /НАН

In Central Asia, a meal without bread is considered incomplete.  It’s almost sacred here!  You’ll find a variety of bread in stores and cafes, but the most common and popular one is a round shaped flat white bread.  Typically, it’s baked in a fire oven known as a tandyr (tandoori).  As you travel, you will discover that the taste and shape of this bread will vary slightly from place to place.

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SPICES

Although Central Asia has a variety of spices, its food and cuisine is not too spicy. It is usually mild and uses fresh produce from the nearby region.

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INTRODUCTION TO CENTRAL ASIAN CUISINE

Food’s an important part of any trip.  We both worry and get excited about all the delicious things we might taste during our travels.  We’ve put together a food guide so that if you’re about to embark on a journey through Central Asia, you’ll know what to expect.  We’ll unravel the mystery of Central Asian Cuisine and such names as lagman, plov, manty, beshbarmak you’ll encounter on a typical restaurant or café menu.  We’ll also give you a bit of background about the cultural and historical peculiarities of the region’s food habits.  You’ll understand the basics of a Central Asian nomad’s diet based on meat and dairy, see how that differs from the settled people of the region with their love of vegetables, rice and noodles as well as the Russians who influenced the region when it was part of the Soviet Union. You can download our Central Asian Cuisine with pictures and a short description of meals to take on your journey.