Orama

Orama is a steamed dish containing a wide range of meat and vegetable fillings.

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
  • Traditional
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Fact: Despite being a part of the dumpling family, orama is often referred to as a pie.

Flag of Kyrgyzstan#16 in Kyrgyzstan

Flag of Kazakhstan#20 in Kazakhstan

Flag of Uzbekistan#46 in Uzbekistan

Basic Information

Orama: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/oʊˈrɑːmə/

Alternative Name(s)

Oromo (Kyrgyz), oрама (Kazakh), oроомог (Mongolian), xанума (Bashikir)

Dish Type

Dumplings

Course

Main course

Mealtime

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Popular Variations

No
Origin and Region

Orama: Origin and Region

Origin

  • Kazakhstan
  • Mongolia

Continent’s Region

  • Central Asia
  • East Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified
Orama Origin Map
Ingredients and Preparation

Orama: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

All-purpose flour, minced meat (pork or lamb)

Main Cooking Method

Steaming

Preparation Process

Dough is kneaded and rolled thin, filled, and then rolled around the filling in sections. The wraps are then steamed.
A Deep Dive

Orama: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Traditional Central Asian dish

Taste

Savory

Texture

Soft

Aroma

Mild

Color

White, translucent

Serving Style

On a plate

Serving Temperature

Hot

Accompaniment

No accompaniment

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Non diet-specific

Calories

Unspecified

Popularity

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bashkir, Mongolia

Popular Similar Dishes

No

Popular Dining Area

Households or vendors in Central Asia

Orama is a traditional pie that hails from Central Asia, especially beloved in Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Bashkir, and Mongolian cuisines. The name “orama” refers to the words that mean “to roll” or “to wrap”, which is precisely how it’s crafted.

Orama Infographic

To make orama, a simple dough of flour, water, and salt is prepared before being rolled out thinly for adding a filling with a variety of ingredients. Usually, common fillings include minced potatoes, meat, and animal fat.

Sometimes, minced pumpkin or other delightful veggies are added to the filling before the dough is gently rolled around the filling, forming long, slender wraps. These wraps are then neatly arranged in a circular pattern in steamer pots for cooking.

Beyond the ideas about orama, I’d like to guide you through some features that set orama apart from its dumpling family, the advantages and disadvantages, and other common concerns with the below insights.

Key Points

  • Orama, a traditional Central Asian steamed pie, is popular in Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Bashkir, and Mongolian cuisines.
  • Orama pie is made with a simple combination of dough and fillings, with the name referring to the rolling or wrapping action.
  • The pie is different from dumplings in terms of origin, shape, and preparation.

Orama Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Orama

Before diving into consuming any dish, it’s best to know about the advantages and disadvantages that orama offers.

Pros

  • Versatility: Adapt well with various fillings for numerous tastes
  • Diet: Form a balanced meal thanks to the harmonious amount of ingredients
  • Cooking Technique: Steaming is considered best for retaining all the nutrients

Cons

  • Unfamiliarity: People outside of Central Asia are unfamiliar with the taste and seasoning
  • Variety: Orama does not have many variations

I hope you find these pros and cons of orama interesting. With that said, you shouldn’t miss the chance to uncover more fascinating things when comparing orama with dumplings.

How Different Are Orama And Dumplings?

Orama and dumplings are different when it comes to origin, filling, shape, and cooking methods. For that, let me show you how these two are different from each other.

So, while both orama and dumplings have dough and filling, they come from different places while possessing a look and taste quite different. After getting to know these differences, you should stick around to learn more about some inquiries relating to the dish.

Orama FAQs

Yes, while traditional fillings of orama include meat, people also use vegetables, tofu, or other plant-based fillings to make the pie vegetarian.

No, traditional Orama uses wheat flour for the dough, so it’s not gluten-free.

Adam Sam

Adam Sam

Senior Food and Drink Editor

Expertise

Food Writer & Recipe Developer, Recipe Tester, Bartender, Cooking-video Maker, Editor In Chief

Education

  • University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
  • Johnson & Wales University (US) (Baking and Pastry Arts)
  • Professional Bartender at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

As the Editor-in-Chief, he elevates culinary content from street food to fine dining, focusing on Western cuisine and types of drinks at azcuisines.com, and is professional in creating engaging cooking videos that simplify complex dishes and ingredients.

His passion for food is evident in his writing, where he uniquely merges various cultures, traditions, and contemporary trends, skillfully combining classic recipes with modern cooking methods.

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