Turkmenistan Food Guide
Content Information
Recently updated🔥Current Food Trends 2025
What's happening in Turkmenistan's culinary scene right now
Turkmenistan's culinary scene is experiencing modernization while preserving traditions. Ashgabat restaurants are creating contemporary presentations of classic plov and manty for younger generations and tourists. There's renewed interest in nomadic food traditions, with restaurants showcasing ancient preservation techniques like govurma. Green tea culture remains central, with new tea houses opening that blend traditional service with modern aesthetics. Turkmen melons are gaining international recognition as a luxury export. Street food culture is expanding with more gutap and somsa vendors using traditional recipes. Social media is slowly introducing Turkmen cuisine to the world, highlighting unique dishes like chal and dograma.
Food Safety Tips
Essential food safety information to help you enjoy Turkmenistan's cuisine safely and confidently.
Drink bottled water in most areas
While tap water quality varies, it's recommended to drink bottled water, especially in rural areas. Ashgabat's water is generally safer but bottled is still preferred.
Choose busy vendors with high turnover
Street food is generally safe in Turkmenistan. Markets like Teke Bazaar and Russian Market offer freshly prepared traditional dishes.
Be cautious in hot summer months
Turkmenistan has extreme summer heat. Avoid dairy products and meats that have been sitting out in warm weather.
Dietary Options
vegetarian
LOW AVAILABILITYTraditional Turkmen cuisine is heavily meat-based. Vegetarian options include vegetable-filled gutap, salads, and bread. Urban areas have more options.
vegan
LOW AVAILABILITYVegan options are very limited. Vegetable gutap without dairy, salads, and bread are available. Communicate your needs clearly as many dishes contain dairy or meat.
halal
HIGH AVAILABILITYTurkmenistan is a Muslim-majority country, so all meat is halal. Finding halal food is not a concern.
Common Allergens
Dairy
HIGH PREVALENCEYogurt and dairy products are common in Turkmen cuisine
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Gluten
HIGH PREVALENCEWheat products are dietary staples
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Nuts
MEDIUM PREVALENCENuts are used in some desserts and dishes
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Essential Food Experiences
These iconic dishes represent the must-have culinary experiences that define Turkmenistan's food culture for travelers.
Plov (Osh)
The king of Central Asian cuisine. Turkmen plov features rice cooked with chunks of lamb or beef, carrots, onions, and spices. Each region has its own variation, but the dish is always aromatic and filling.
Manty
Steamed dumplings filled with minced lamb or beef, onions, and spices. Served with yogurt or sour cream. A beloved comfort food across Central Asia.
Gutap
Half-moon shaped pastries filled with spinach, pumpkin, or meat, then pan-fried to crispy perfection. A versatile dish that can be a snack or light meal.
Chorek (Turkmen Bread)
Traditional flatbread baked in tandoor ovens, with decorative patterns pressed into the dough. The crispy edges and soft center make it perfect with every meal.
Shashlik
Marinated cubes of lamb grilled over charcoal on skewers. Smoky, juicy, and flavorful - a Central Asian BBQ staple.
Dograma
Traditional dish of shredded flatbread soaked in meat broth and topped with boiled meat. A hearty, rustic meal.
Ishlekli
Meat-filled flatbread, similar to a savory pie. The dough is layered and filled with spiced ground meat.
Govurma
Slow-cooked lamb or beef preserved in its own fat. A traditional preservation method that creates incredibly tender, flavorful meat.
Chal
Fermented camel milk drink, slightly sour and effervescent. An acquired taste but culturally significant.
Somsa (Samsa)
Baked pastries filled with spiced meat and onions. Triangular or rectangular shaped, with flaky layers.
Regional Specialties & Local Favorites
Discover the authentic regional dishes and local favorites that showcase Turkmenistan's diverse culinary traditions.
Shashlyk Variations
Region: Nationwide
Different cuts and preparations of grilled meat on skewers, including liver, kidney, and vegetables.
Unash
Region: Nationwide
Noodle soup with meat and vegetables, hearty and warming.
Allergens:
Shorpa
Region: Nationwide
Clear meat broth with vegetables, simple but flavorful.
Garlic Noodles
Region: Nationwide
Hand-pulled noodles with garlic sauce, sometimes with meat.
Allergens:
Achichuk Salad
Region: Nationwide
Fresh tomato and onion salad with herbs, served as a side dish.
Govurma Plov
Region: Nationwide
Plov made with preserved meat (govurma), extra rich and flavorful.
Ichlekli with Cheese
Region: Nationwide
Flatbread filled with cheese and herbs, grilled until crispy.
Allergens:
Dograma Ash
Region: Nationwide
Variation of dograma served as a soup, with more broth.
Allergens:
Regional Cuisine Highlights
Explore the diverse culinary landscapes across different regions of Turkmenistan.
Ashgabat
The capital offers the most diverse dining, blending traditional Turkmen cuisine with international influences and higher-end presentations.
Cultural Significance:
Ashgabat showcases both traditional Turkmen cuisine and modern culinary innovation.
Signature Dishes:
Key Ingredients:
Karakum Desert Region
Nomadic traditions influence the cuisine, with emphasis on preserved foods and camel milk products.
Cultural Significance:
Desert cuisine preserves ancient nomadic food traditions and survival techniques.
Signature Dishes:
Key Ingredients:
Caspian Coast
Coastal areas feature more fish dishes and influence from neighboring Caspian regions.
Cultural Significance:
Coastal cuisine differs from inland Turkmenistan with its seafood focus.
Signature Dishes:
Key Ingredients:
Sweet Delights & Desserts
Indulge in Turkmenistan's traditional sweet treats and desserts.
Chekdirme
Sweet pastry with sugar syrup, crispy and sticky.
Halva
Sweet confection made from flour, butter, and sugar, sometimes with nuts.
Pishme
Fried dough balls soaked in syrup, similar to doughnuts.
Melon
Turkmenistan is famous for its incredibly sweet melons. Served fresh as dessert.
Traditional Beverages
Discover Turkmenistan's traditional drinks, from locally produced spirits to regional wines.
Vodka
Locally produced vodka, often consumed during celebrations and toasts.
Turkmen Wine
Local wines produced in Turkmenistan, varying quality.
Soft Beverages
Discover Turkmenistan's traditional non-alcoholic drinks, from local teas to refreshing juices.
Turkmen Tea (Gok Chay)
Green tea is the national drink, served throughout the day in small cups. Often served with dried fruits and sweets.
Ayran
Salted yogurt drink, refreshing and common throughout Central Asia.
Gatyk
Fermented milk drink similar to kefir, slightly tangy.
Shorbet
Sweet fruit drink, often made from dried fruits.