Central Asia Food and Markets

Tea and Somsa - Nukus, Uzbekistan

The somsa, a meat and onion-stuffed pastry available throughout Uzbekistan, are stuck to and baked inside of a clay oven (similar to naan). We ate this pair of fresh from the oven somsa while waiting for a bus in Nukus, Uzbekistan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Spices and Pickled Vegetables - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A corner at Osh Bazaar in Bishkek is defined by spices and Korean pickled vegetables and noodles. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Simmering Plov (Rice Dish) - Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Carrots, peppers, raisins, chick peas, and spices simmer together with rice and beef for hours to make the perfect plov. Flamingo, a simple outdoor cafe/restaurant became a favorite for lunch where a big plate of fresh plov would cost less than $1. Team it with tea and you've got a fitting Uzbek meal. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Laughing Women at Market - Nukus, Uzbekistan

An unprotected moment at the bazaar in Nukus, Uzbekistan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Grapes and Teapot - Khiva, Uzbekistan

Ready for afternoon tea at Khiva's main market. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Uzbek Girl Selling Sweets - Khiva, Uzbekistan

An appropriate salesgirl for Uzbek sweets, the bazaar in Khiva. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Herbs and Vendor at Osh Market, Kyrgyzstan

A friendly vendor stacks herbs at the bazaar in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Apples in Lada Trunk - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

If only we had a kitchen and could make apple crisp. Taken at the Karakol bazaar. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Pomegranates at Osh Market, Kyrgyzstan

Plentiful pomegranates at the bazaar in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Ganfan (Veggies and Rice) - Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Ganfan became our favorite Kyrgyz cafe food (though it's technically a Dungan specialty) since it normally had a fair amount of vegetables and was usually lighter on the meat than its noodle-based counterpart, lagman. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Older Women Pepper Vendor - Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Old pepper vendor at Osh market (Osh bazaar) in Kyrgyzstan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Sweet Treats at Osh Market, Kyrgyzstan

We stocked up on dried fruits and nuts in Osh, Kyrgyzstan to take with us to the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan. After several days of eating potatoes and bread, these dried apricots became a prized possession. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Ground Chili Peppers - Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Osh seemed to harbor the largest volume and variety of spice and pepper options in Kyrgyzstan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Choosing Melons - Osh Market, Kyrgyzstan

How to pick the perfect melon when there are so many to choose from? Taken at the bazaar in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tajik Woman Hiding Behind Bread - Dushanbe, Tajikistan

At first, this bread girl at the Varzob Bazaar hid behind her pile of loaves when the camera came out. Within a few minutes, she gained her confidence and turned into a ham. Amazing what a few smiles and encouragement can do. Taken in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Baking Somsa (stuffed pastry) - Osh, Kyrgyzstan

This man shows us how to bake a somsa (Central Asian pastry stuffed with meat and onions) on the side of a tandoor-like oven. Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Red Peppers and Eggplants - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Red peppers and eggplant are in season at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Now, all we need to do is import some Balkan cuisine (ajvar, red pepper spread) and Mediterranean cuisine (roasted eggplant) and we'd have a meal. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tajik Woman with Unibrow - Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Creating a unibrow with eyeliner or charcoal is popular in the Dushanbe market scene, much to the dismay of eyebrow waxers. Taken at Shah Mansur Bazaar in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia. arket.com

Peppers and Tomatoes at Varzob Bazaar - Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Peppers and tomatoes, the foundations for a perfect arrabiata sauce...if only we had access to a kitchen. Taken at the Varzob Bazaar in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Young Boys Selling Apples at Zelyony Market - Almaty, Kazakhstan

These two boys decided to make a little money after school by selling apples at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Purifying Herbs at Bukhara Market - Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Dried herbs are smoked and employed as a purifying and blessing tool in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These women insisted Audrey breathe in the smoke to help cleanse her lungs. She fell into a coughing fit instead. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Tajik Woman at Shah Mansur Market - Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Taken at the Shah Mansur Bazaar in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Chilies, Cilantro, Cumin at Market - Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Chorsu Market was full of chilies, cilantro, cumin and other spices used in Mexican cuisine. If only we had a kitchen... Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Nuts, Dried Fruit and Candied Fruit at Zelyony Bazaar - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Nuts, dried fruit and candied fruit at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Audrey and Vendor with Colorful Scarves - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

This woman tried to teach Audrey how to tie her scarf. Unfortunately, Audrey is a slow learner, so she had to get more help a few stalls away. The women taught her yet another way and secured the scarf with hair pins. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.