Turkmenistan Food and Markets

Fries and Grilled Fish - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

Perfectly grilled fish at Deniz Cafe in Turkmenbashi. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Women Vendors at Market in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

Our first impressions of Turkmenistan came from the big market in Turkmenbashi (which we visited in order to exchange money on the black market). ..We were all blown away by the smiles, friendly questions and colorful dress of the vendors. We had expected people to be more reserved and afraid of foreigners. Luckily, we were repeatedly mistaken. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Laghman Soup - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Laghman, an Uzbek soup-stew staple is chock full of spaghetti, potatoes, tomatoes, herbs and meat. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Egg Vendors at Market - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

These sisters work together to sell eggs at the market in Turkmenbashi. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Woman with Plov (Rice Dish) - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

Our group was given a large plate of plov (pictured here - rice, vegetables and meat) and a meat stew by a family visiting Paraw Bibi. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Iskender Kebab - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

A shot of our first meal in Turkmenistan, at Deniz Cafe. Iskender kabab (or yogurt kabab) proved one of our best meals in Turkmenistan. The combination of plain yogurt and grilled meat is delicious. ..A group of Peace Corps Volunteers at the cafe were as shocked to see us (American tourists) as we were to see them. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Pickled Vegetables at Market - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

The stalls selling pickled vegetables and fish were always colorful...and fragrant. At the main market in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Stuffed Breads and Vendor - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Stuffed breads and tea on sale at Ashgabat's Russian Market (Gulustan). Read more about Turkmenistan.

Dried Fruits and Nuts at Gulustan Market - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The selection and variety of dried fruits and nuts can be overwhelming. We just wanted to buy some pistachios for the ride to Darvaza and we were faced with the choice of five different varieties (Azerbaijani, Iranian and Turkmen)! ..We bought dried apricots instead. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Ripe Tomatoes at Gulustan Market - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Ripened tomatoes stand out at Ashgabat's Russian Market (Gulustan). Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Herbal Tea Vendor at Gulustan Market - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

This herbal tea vendor plays the role of a doctor in his white lab coat at the Russian Market (Gulustan) in Ashgabat. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Herbal Teas at Gulustan Market - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Herbal teas to soothe all ailments are on sale at Ashgabat's Russian Market (Gulustan). Read more about Turkmenistan.

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.

Garlic for Sale at the Market - Mary, Turkmenistan

This colorfully dressed garlic vendor at the market in Mary reminded us of a Native American. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Preparing Soms at Tolkuchka Market - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Stuffed with meat and steaming fresh from the oven, these pastries (somsa) at Ashgabat's Tolkuchka Market smelled and tasted delicious. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Vendor Selling By Old Car - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Tolkuchka Weekend Market, Ashgabat Read more about Turkmenistan.

Women Vendor Smiles and Fruit - Mary, Turkmenistan

Another shot of friendliness from the market in Mary, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Young Vendor at Food Market - Mary, Turkmenistan

This beautifully dressed vendor at the market in Mary, Turkmenistan was a little camera shy, but got a kick out of seeing her image in the LCD display afterwards. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Curd at the Market - Mary, Turkmenistan

This woman scrapes the curd away from a cheese cloth at the market in Mary, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Bride and her Maid of Honor - Mary, Turkmenistan

The bride keeps a handkerchief at her mouth all day in order to resist the temptation to talk. The maid of honor seems to be having more fun than the bride. © UncorneredMarket.com Read more about Turkmenistan.

Mother and Daughters at Market - Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan

Girls help their mother sell greens at the market in Konye-Urgench. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Cleaning Vegetables with a Broom - Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan

Another curious shot from the market in Konye-Urgench. Read more about Turkmenistan.

Dancing Couple at Market - Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan

This spirited man grabbed a vendor at the market in Konye-Urgench and took her for a spin around the vegetables. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Enjoying A Turkmen Meal - Darvaza, Turkmenistan

Our group shares a romantic meal in a truck stop yurt in the middle of the desert near Darvaza. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.