Fergana Valley cuisine is famous throughout Uzbekistan for its fresh produce, grilled meats, and regional variations on Uzbek classics. Try plov (rice and meat mixture), shashlik (grilled skewered meat), laghman (hand-pulled noodles), and manti (dumplings). As Fergana Valley is an agricultural center, the local fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes, melons, grapes and pomegranates, are exceptionally fresh and flavorful. Fresh non (flatbread) accompanies every meal and is an important part of Uzbek culture. Vegetarian food is not yet common, but vegetarians and vegan travelers can enjoy salads, cooked vegetables, and vegetable-stuffed samsa or manti.

We recommend that you eat at local chaikhanas (teahouses) for authentic, inexpensive meals. Bazaar or market food stalls serve prepared foods, but be sure it is still fresh and hot. You will also find many restaurants offering traditional Uzbek food as well as international favorites like hamburgers, pizza and pasta. Street food like samsa (savory pastries) is safe when fresh and hot. Many places, especially outside of the big cities, don’t serve alcohol.