Vegetarian Food in Uzbekistan : An Authentic Guide

Last Updated on May 17, 2024 by admin

Are you a vegetarian or vegan travelling to Uzbekistan? Are you freaking out if you will find food that suits your dietary preferences? This guide covers a list of vegetarian food in Uzbekistan to try and a list of vegetarian restaurants in Uzbekistan!

While planning my trip to Uzbekistan and even after coming back, I was constantly asked about one question only.

“How will you manage in a meat heavy diet country?”

“Did you find vegetarian food in Uzbekistan”?

To be honest, I was unsure in spite of reading many articles and still carried a few snacks and dehydrated food from home, just in case I couldn’t find any vegetarian options in some places. But how I was proved wrong!

I stayed in Uzbekistan for 10 days covering Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva and found vegetarian options everywhere, albeit, a few!

Although the traditional food of Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan famous food consists of meat, the country has opened its arms to international tourism and their dietary preferences. In Tashkent city, which functions as a cultural and economic hub in the entire Central Asia, there are restaurants catering to global cuisine.

VEGETARIAN FOOD IN UZBEKISTAN

Here’s a perfect guide for what to eat in Uzbekistan and best Uzbekistan food to try. All of it Vegetarian! Most of these options are available across the country and are must try!

Uzbek Bread

The most traditional Uzbek food is ‘Non’ (also known as lepeshka). It is a round and flat bread and is particularly sacred in Uzbek culture. 

Baked in a tandoor (clay oven), the bread is soft yet crispy. It is so sacred that bread is torn by hand before eating and never with a knife or fork. 

The delicious fragrance reverberates through small streets of each city and you can be sure there is a small bread making factory tucked behind some closed doors.

This bread is served with each meal and acts like a side dish.

Recommended Read: Uzbek bread as one of the ‘Best Souvenirs from Uzbekistan’

Manti

Similar to dumplings, Manti is another traditional Uzbek dish. Also known as Uzbek steamed dumplings, they are small dumplings stuffed with juicy meat & onion filling, then steamed in a special metal multi-layered Uzbek steaming pot, called kaskan. 

Vegetarian Manti has two options. First is the Pumpkin, Onion & Butter Filling wherein, the pumpkin is used as the main ingredient and is cubed or sliced with the onion, then mixed with the butter and spices. Another option is Potato & Onion Filling. Cubed potato is mixed with sliced onion, butter and spices. To add extra flavour, herbs such as green onion, dill and parsley are added as well. Paprika and/or red chilli powder are also sometimes added to the seasoning for an extra kick of flavour.

Manti is a main course in Uzbek tea houses and markets and is commonly served or sold from a large dish, smothered in tomato sauce.

If ordered as a side dish it is served with sour cream/yoghurt, a homemade tomato sauce, thinly sliced onion rings seasoned with some vinegar, salt and pepper and some freshly chopped herbs such as dill or parsley.

Gumma 

One of the most popular street foods in Uzbekistan, Gumma is like a fried dumpling. Most often they are fried, but in Uzbek homes they are baked. They are seasoned with parsley, pepper and salt and usually served with tomato sauce. 

The vegetarian version has potatoes or pumpkin in them.

Soups

Uzbek soups are thick in consistency and made rich with fresh vegetables such as carrot, beet, onion, greens and various spices. It usually has meat broth but the vegetarian version is made without it.

Lentil soup and pumpkin sour is quite popular with the locals and is available even in summer. They are filling when consumed with a bread basket. It is not spicy and it is only lightly peppered.

Uzbek Salads

Salads are quite commonly served at breakfast or sometimes even as side dishes. The salad that’s most typical in entire Uzbekistan and even in Central Asia is a tomato, cucumber and onion salad known as ‘Achchik-Chuchuk’. Served fresh as it is, sometimes they have dressing of mayonnaise or olive oil and fresh herbs like dill leaves. The salad tastes delicious because of the special Yusupov tomatoes which have a unique taste that grows in this area.

Another most popular salad in Uzbekistan is radish salad with pomegranate seeds known as ‘Anor va Turup salati’. Margilan radish is cut into thin strips and pomegranate seeds are added. 

Another popular salad is Aubergine Salad locally known as ‘Baklajon Salat’. Aubergine is available in abundance in Uzbekistan and there are many dishes that use them including this vegetarian aubergine salad. This salad has fried aubergine added with raw red pepper, green pepper, cucumbers, spring onions and tomatoes all tossed together in fresh green herbs and vinegar, salt, sesame seeds and soy sauce. Tempered coriander seeds and lightly cooked garlic in oil are also added.

Chickpea and turnip salad is also sometimes served at breakfast in hotels. Overnight soaked and cooked chickpeas are added to raw turnips and carrots that are cut in small cube size. Sour cream, salt and dill are added to this salad. This salad is locally known as ‘Sabzavot Va Nukhotli Gazak’.

Shivit Oshi

Shivit Oshi is a unique Uzbekistani dish of bright, green noodles and can be found almost exclusively in the city of Khiva. The Shivit Oshi are coloured green with dill infusion. This green dough is then cooked and covered with a hearty stew of potatoes and carrots. It is served with tangy yoghurt.

Shivit Oshi is like Uzbek pasta that is extremely healthy and delicious. This is a paradise for vegetarian food in Uzbekistan.

Laghman noodles

Laghman is a Central Asian dish made of meat, vegetables and pulled noodles. Uzbek Laghman is packed with many unique flavours and spices. It is something between a hearty soup and a light pasta. It is available in restaurants in most big cities of Uzbekistan and if requested is made without the meat.

Make sure to give instructions not to use meat broth in the soup, and this is a very filling meal.

Somsa

A puff pastry very similar to Samosa in India, it is triangular in shape. Introduced to India by Central Asian traders, Somsa has meat and vegetable filling and is baked instead of being fried like the Samosa. 

Somsa is a popular street food in Uzbekistan and can be found at most local markets and street vendors. Thankfully it is available in vegetarian filling. Vegetarian Somsa either has potato and onion filling or pumpkin filling.

Fruits

Uzbekistan is home to a diverse array of fruits that are both delicious and nutritious. Some of the most popular fruits grown in the country include melon, watermelon, apricots, peaches, pomegranate, apples, grapes and figs. Fruits and dry fruits are generally offered in breakfast. 

I had the sweetest and juiciest melons and peaches here everyday for breakfast and they should not be missed.

RESTAURANTS SERVING VEGETARIAN FOOD IN UZBEKISTAN

Having gone through the vegetarian food in Uzbekistan, it is now time to check out the restaurants and cafes that serve vegetarian food. Here’s a comprehensive list of vegetarian restaurants in Uzbekistan.

Vegetarian Restaurants in Tashkent

Navaat Art Restaurant 

Navat was the first vegetarian option that popped up. It had great reviews and a diverse menu which is why I tried the food here. 

Navaat offers a modern and vegetarian twist to many traditional Uzbek dishes. There are soups, salads, pizza and great options for a drink. It also has an outdoor bar and open club area which plays funky music at night.

Address: 9 Matbuotchilar Street, Tashkent 100012

Caravan

Caravan is another vegetarian restaurant in Tashkent that offers delicious traditional food, rustic decor, and live music. They have great manti (Central Asian dumplings ), salads, and Uzbek wine. 

Address: 22 Abdulla Kahhar Street, Tashkent

Eco cafe Tashkent

Suggested by the hostel where I was staying, I ordered food through Yandex Food App and got it delivered within 30 minutes. They have great vegan and vegetarian bowl options that are wholesome and healthy.

Address: Olmachi 37, Тashkent

Cafe 1991

If you are looking for an upscale dining space then head over to Cafe 1991. The cafe offers Uzbek and Lebanese cuisine and has top notch dining reviews. From the ambience, service, and quality of food and beverages everything is amazing. It even features a separate vegetarian menu where the majority of the dishes are also vegan.

The best part is most staff can speak English so you discuss your food preferences and allergies with them.

The cafe is open till 1 am in case you want to dine in till late.

Address: 7 Mustaqillik shoh ko’chasi, Тashkent

Vegetarian Restaurants in Bukhara

Chalet

A beautiful cafe surrounded by greenery, Chalet is hard to miss as it is located at the beginning of Mekhtar Anbar street. It has an Italian restaurant offering a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. 

Address:  Mekhtar Anbar Str, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bella Italia

Another Italian restaurant with a wide variety of vegetarian dishes and a few vegan dishes. Pizza, pasta, salads and soups are clearly marked vegetarian and are delicious. The staff speak English.

Address: Bakhovaddin Nakshband 125, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Ayvan

Aesthetically beautiful, Ayvan was on the top list of places to eat in Bukhara. The restaurant is located inside Lyabi House hotel, an upscale property in Old Bukhara.

Ayvan has a fantastic selection of alcohol, vegetarian as well as vegan options. The staff has an English speaking waiter and they recommend food based on your likes. There is an outdoor as well as indoor sitting area.

Address: N. Husainova #7 (at Lyabi House), Bukhara

Vegetarian Restaurants in Samarkand

Mone Cafe & Bakery

Mone Cafe is a modern resto-café with a menu that contains multiple vegetarian and vegan items. Items include salads, sides, breads, and fruit platters for dessert.

Address: 32A Bobur Mirzo Str, Samarkand

Samarkand Art House Cafe

Located right next to Bibi-Khanum Mosque, I stumbled across a large sign outside advertising a vegetarian menu. The restaurant also houses an arts & crafts shop that supports disadvantaged children when you purchase something. 

The restaurant has set up tables on a veranda and a few in the garden with a view of the mosque. It offers a good variety of vegetarian items that are vegan or can be made vegan. The tea collection is also nice and the quantity of drinks and food is good.

Address: MX5J+W4W, Samarkand

Vegetarian Restaurants in Khiva

Tapas Restaurant

A rooftop restaurant with a view of Itchan Kala, this restaurant has many vegetarian options. I ordered the Shivit Oshi noodles and tried the lentil soup. Since it was so soothing, I ordered a bowl of plain rice to go with it.

Address: Inside Old Khiva Fortress Gates, Khiva

Terresa Cafe

Located in front of the Kunha Ark courtyard, this cafe is hard to miss. It gives a fantastic view of Kalta Minor minaret and a few other monuments from their terrace. 

It is popular for drinks and food at sunset. While the food was not that great they have an entire page of vegetarian dishes. I tried their pumpkin soup, shivit oshi noodles and a veg platter.

Address: Itchan-Qala, Khiva

FAQs ABOUT VEGETARIAN FOOD IN UZBEKISTAN

Do hotels serve vegetarian food?

Hotels, AirBnBs and Guesthouses in Uzbekistan generally do not have a hotel. However, they serve breakfast. For vegetarian travellers in Uzbekistan breakfast might be the best meal of the day. In almost all hotels and guesthouses, breakfast is a hearty spread of bread, salads, fruits, nuts, yoghurt, chocolates and coffee. 

Can you survive on street food?

Yes! There are few but good street food options in Uzbekistan. Bread, Somsa and Fruits are quite filling and easily available everywhere. They are also affordable and perfect finger food to eat while exploring.

How to find vegetarian food in Uzbekistan?

If you have an internet connection (and I highly recommend you to have one), download the Happy Cow app. Based on the current location, it will show you the possible vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the area. The app will show the distance, menu, photos and even reviews left by visitors.

Have you tried any of these foods? Are you planning a trip to Uzbekistan and trying to find vegetarian food in Uzbekistan? I hope this guide helps you and clears all the confusion. Let me know your questions and experiences in the comments.

Looking for more Uzbekistan Inspiration? Read Here

• Things to do in Samarkand
• Uzbekistan Travel Guide
• Tashkent Metro Stations
• Tashkent Attractions
• Souvenirs to buy from Uzbekistan
• Things to do in Khiva
• Travelling by train in Uzbekistan

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