Top 10 Uzbekistan Food You Must Try On Your Next Trip

Visiting a Central Asian country has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I’m not quite ready to explore these uncharted territories in person just yet, but the itinerary is already planned. And as always, the first thing I dive into is the food. I love Turkish food, and I realised Uzbekistan Food is a treasure waiting to be discovered. I've tried some of them at local restaurants and couldn't gatekeep anymore.

Here's the best food you need to try in Uzbekistan, and other things to know before travelling.

Where is Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is located in the centre of Central Asia, surrounded by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. I know it all sounds confusing, but for easier understanding, it's two doors down, Pakistan and China.

Central Asian countries played a major role along the Silk Route, shaping and influencing countless cultures across Asia for centuries. Uzbekistan, in particular, stands out as a place where that legacy is still beautifully preserved, from its heritage and traditions to the medieval history woven into its ancient cities.

Is Uzbekistan Safe?

Though it's located close to active warzones, Uzbekistan itself is a relatively safe country. Of course, you'd come across pickpocketers, thieves, and scammers as you would in any other country. If you're prepared to face modern scams in Turkey, I believe you can survive scammers in any Central Asian country.

What time is it in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is on GMT+5, which means it's 5 hours ahead of London. If you're in New York, you're 10 hours behind Uzbekistan.

Do I need a Visa for Uzbekistan?

Yes, you need to apply for an e-visa before visiting Uzbekistan. Make sure you apply for the e-visa from the official government portal. It costs 20$ for the application, and you can find all the information related to the Visa process on the website.

Top 10 Uzbekistan Food you MUST try

If you're a foodie like me, here are some of the 10 best food you must try while in Uzbekistan.

Plov (Pilaf rice)

Plov is the crown jewel of Uzbek cuisine, widely considered the national dish. It’s a hearty rice pilaf cooked with lamb (or beef), onions, carrots, and fragrant spices, often in a giant communal pot called a kazan.

Served at weddings, family events and parties, Plov resembles a version of Biriyani and Arabic Kabsa. It's traditionally prepared by men as it's done in large batches, which means physically straining labour and hours of cooking.

Shashlik (Grilled Meat Skewers / Kebabs)

Shashlik are juicy skewers of lamb, beef, or chicken. It's a Central Asian barbecue or kebab. Meat chunks are marinated, skewered, sometimes alternated with lamb fat for extra succulence, and grilled over open flaming coals or fruitwood. You can find these on the sides of the road in Tashkent.

On a winter night, Shashlik paired with some flatbread makes a wonderful snack. It's one of the best foods to try in Uzbekistan.

Manti (Steamed Dumplings)

Uzbekistan was a major point in the Silk Route, as mentioned before, and the last point in the East was Xi'an, China. This meant, many Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, had Chinese influence in their cultures.

Manti is one of them. They are big, pillowy dumplings usually stuffed with minced lamb or beef, onions, and spices. They’re steamed or boiled, then often served with yoghurt or sour cream to balance the rich filling.

Samsa (Meaty pastries)

If you're familiar with Indian cuisine, you'd definitely know Samosa. Well, Samsa is a meaty baked variation of it. These are flaky, triangular pastries filled with spiced minced meat (usually lamb or beef), sometimes potato or pumpkin, baked in a traditional tandoor oven until golden and crispy.

These savoury treats are street-food staples, perfect warm-on-the-go snacks from bazaar stalls or chai-khanas. Their crispy crust and juicy filling make them a delicious taste of Uzbekistan’s nomadic-turned-urban food heritage.

Lagman (Homemade Noodle Soup)

Yet another fascinating Uyghur-influenced dish, Lagman is a hearty noodle soup with hand-pulled noodles, lamb or beef, and lots of vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and onions, all simmered in a rich broth. Eating Lagman in a cozy chaikhana (teahouse) is perfect after a dusty train ride or a day exploring historical towns. If you're in Xinjiang or Xi'an, China, you'll be able to find similar variations of Lagman there, too.

Non (Traditional Tandoor Bread)

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw Non was Turkish Simit. While they are completely different from one another, this bread resembled simit in shape. This Tandoor bread is sometimes called “obi-non” or “patir” (depending on region), is a round, crusty bread baked in clay ovens. It's a staple on every Uzbek table.

This bread is not cut with a knife. It's shared by breaking it by hand. 'Non' accompanies nearly every meal. You can eat it with plov to shashlik to soups, and more.

Hanum

Hanum is like the vegetarian cousin of manti. It's a long, rolled sheet of dough filled with thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and sometimes pumpkin or minced meat, all seasoned simply and steamed until soft and silky. It’s believed to have appeared as an economical, everyday dish among Uzbek households, especially when meat was scarce or reserved for special occasions. Hanum is often sliced into pinwheel shapes and served with sour cream or a light tomato sauce.

Takhum Barak (Egg-stuffed Dumplings)

If you’re a crepe lover, this dumpling will absolutely surprise you. This dish comes from the Khorezm region and is one of the most unique dumplings in Central Asia. These are delicate dough parcels filled only with a lightly beaten egg mixture. When the dumplings are boiled, the egg gently sets inside, creating a soft, custard-like filling.

Tukhum Barak originated in areas where eggs were more accessible than meat, and today it’s a beloved speciality of Khiva. It’s typically served with melted butter, yoghurt, or a tangy sauce.

Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaf)

I've tried Turkish Dolma, and the bitterness of the grape leaf didn't sit well with me, but my husband loved it. Dolma is popular across the Middle East, Caucasus, and Central Asia, and Uzbekistan has its own version too. The Uzbek dolma is pretty similar to the Middle Eastern one, made with grape leaves, eggplants, bell peppers, or tomatoes stuffed with minced meat, rice, herbs, and spices.

Historically, dolma travelled along the Silk Road and blended into local cuisines. Uzbek dolma tends to be heartier than Turkish or Lebanese versions, often simmered in a light tomato broth that gives it extra juiciness.

Halva (Sesame sweet treat)

If you've travelled to Turkey or any Middle Eastern country, you definitely would've come across a sweet delicacy that melts in your mouth, called Halva. In Uzbekistan, there are two varieties of Halva, one is sesame-based (the common one), and the other is flour-based (zerniysh), which is cooked with butter, and it tastes like a milky caramel.

In ancient times, halva was prepared for holidays, weddings, or to welcome guests, symbolising sweetness and prosperity. Today, you’ll find halva in bazaars shaped into blocks, swirls, or crumbly mounds, each type with its own texture and level of sweetness.

Tea Tradition

Food in Uzbekistan isn’t just about big meals; it’s also about hospitality, conversation, and tradition. Tea is everywhere, and the Chinese tea culture is quite prominent. You’ll often find locals in chaikhanas (teahouses) sipping steaming green tea with bread, samsa pastry, or small dumplings. While you can find black tea in the main cities, it's not very common.

Are Uzbekistan Food Halal?

Generally yes. It's a muslim-majority country, and most of their traditional meals do not include Pork or alcohol. But that doesn't rule out the fact that it's unavailable. Pork may be served in certain restaurants, but it's very rare.

Is Alcohol Available in Uzbekistan?

Yes. You can find alcohol widely in the country. Though it's a Muslim country, alcohol is legal in Uzbekistan. Due to Russian influence, consuming alcohol is pretty much a normal thing in Uzbek life, especially in Tashkent.

Can you Drink Tap Water in Uzbekistan?

No. It's advised not to. Uzbekistan has long suffered from a water shortage; hence, confirming the safety of a water source can be challenging. Make sure you buy sealed bottled water for day-to-day use.

Is Coffee Available in Uzbekistan?

While coffee isn’t as deeply rooted in Uzbekistan as tea, you’ll still find plenty of modern cafés and speciality coffee shops in major cities like Tashkent and Bukhara. If you're an avid coffee fan, make sure you carry some instant coffee with you when travelling, as hotels out of the city may not be able to offer you coffee.

Conclusion

Exploring Uzbekistan through its food is honestly one of the best ways to understand the country’s spirit. Every dish, from the hearty plov to delicate Tukhum Barak, from street-side somsa to melt-in-your-mouth halva, carries a story shaped by nomadic traditions, Silk Road trade routes, and centuries of hospitality.

What makes Uzbek cuisine so memorable isn’t just the flavours; it’s the way meals bring people together. Are you planning to travel to Uzbekistan? Let us know how you're preparing for your trip in the comments below!