Turkmen Dishes

Turkmen Dishes: Basic Overview

Common Ingredients

Lamb and mutton, beef, rice, flour, beans, milk, yogurt

Common Cooking Methods

Boiling, baking, simmering, frying, grilling, fermenting, steaming, drying, smoking

Courses

Appetizer, main course, desserts

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Key Taste

Savory, sour, sweet, salty

Eating Etiquette

Respect bread, eat with right hand, remove shoes at home entrances, accept generous food offerings hospitably, follow traditions like prayers, and honor elders.

Meal Presentation

Dishes are often presented on a floor tablecloth called sachak.

Culinary Festivals

Nowruz (Persian New Year), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha.

Influence and Fusion

Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan

Turkmen Dishes: Origin and Region

Cuisine

Turkmenistan

Culinary Region

Central Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide origin

Popular Types of Turkmen Dishes

• Breads and Doughs

  

  A round, golden-brown flatbread, typical in Turkmen cuisine, displayed on a rustic surface.

  

  A freshly baked, crusty Turkmen bread, known as tandyr nan or lepeshka, with a textured surface.

  

  Turkmen bread being baked in a tandoor oven.

  

  Traditional Central Asian tandyr bread, commonly found in countries like Turkmenistan.

  Turkmen breads and doughs are predominantly made from wheat flour and are high in gluten.

  They are ideal for vegan and vegetarian diets, with traditional cooking methods including baking in a tandoor oven.

  These breads have flat, round shapes with smoky aromas.

• Cakes and Pastries

  

  A plate of golden-brown Turkmen somsa filled with savory pumpkin and onion mixture.

  

  Icheleki is a delicious Turkmen dish filled with minced meat and onions.

  

  Boortsog cooked outdoors in a large cauldron.

  

  Shelpek flatbread is a beloved specialty of Central Asia.

  Turkmen cakes and pastries range from savory to sweet taste.

  They primarily use wheat flour and are not gluten-free.

  They often contain meat, like lamb and mutton, or beef.

  Commonly baked or deep-fried, these dishes have a crispy texture and are rich in flavor, shaped in forms ranging from triangular to round.

• Charcuterie and Cheese Boards

  

  A delectable assortment of salami slices, including qazi, ready to tantalize the taste buds.

  

  Kakmach is great when pairing with a simple serving of vegetables.

  

  © Ser Amantio di Nicolao / CC BY-SA 4.0
  Qazı served on a plate in a fancy restaurant.

  Turkmen charcuterie and cheese boards are rich in meats and dairy, with a focus on savory, salty, and sweet tastes.

  These dishes are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, some are gluten-free.

  Emphasizing traditional Turkmen culinary methods such as smoking, frying, and fermenting, they are popular as appetizers or part of larger meals.

• Desserts

  

  Suytlas is a thick creamy treat to savor in Turkmenistan.

  

  Suytlas is a thick creamy treat to savor in Turkmenistan.

  Turkmen desserts are creamy, with a subtle sweetness and sourness; some are typically served chilled.

  These desserts predominantly use dairy, making them unsuitable for vegans.

  However, some of them are vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free.

• Dry Noodle Dishes

  

  A close-up of beshbarmak, showcasing tender lamb and noodles, garnished with onion.

  

  A traditional Central Asian dish with lamb, square-shaped pasta, and fried onions, served on a plate.

  

  In some areas, tea makes for a fine addition to enjoy after having naryn.

  Turkmen dry noodle dishes are made with hand-rolled wheat noodles and meat, typically lamb or beef.

  The preparation is simple, boiling the noodles and serving them with cooked meat, with minimal use of spices and herbs.

  These dishes are hearty and fulfilling, characterized by chewy noodles and tender meat.

• Fried Dishes

  

  Pishme is a celebratory Turkmen fried dish, often enjoyed with green tea.

  

  Pishme: Light and fluffy, sprinkled with icing sugar.

  

  A sweet treat in Turkmen cuisine, loved for its simplicity.

  Turkmen fried dishes are mainly wheat-based and not gluten-free.

  They feature a crispy texture from frying in oil and often include meat like lamb or beef, making them unsuitable for vegetarian or vegan diets.

  The flavors are predominantly savory with minimal use of spices and herbs.

• Grilled and Barbecued Dishes

  

  A vibrant display of Turkmen shish kebab.

  

  Grilled shashlik in Mary, Turkmenistan.

  

  Grilled shashlik in Mary, Turkmenistan.

  In Turkmen cuisine, grilled and barbecued dishes focus on meat, particularly lamb.

  They are marinated with spices, then slowly grilled for a smoky flavor and tender texture.

  The emphasis is on rich flavors and traditional cooking methods.

• Noodle Soups

  

  Unash made with red tomatoes and placed on a wooden table with fresh noodles, raw vegetables, and Central Asian bread.

  

  A traditional Turkmen noodle soup, unash, presented in a rustic setting.

  

  A bowl of unash, a traditional Turkmen dish, featuring a blend of local ingredients.

  

  Kesme cooked in broth with meat and vegetables in Central Asia.

  Turkmen noodle soups feature wheat-based noodles, often hand-pulled or rolled.

  They usually contain meat like lamb and mutton, or beef.

  The broths are rich, with added spices, herbs, and vegetables such as carrots and onions.

• Porridge

  

  A serving of yagly shule, a Turkmen rice porridge enriched with vegetable oil.

  

  Simple dograma with just bread and meat.

  

  Traditional Turkmen dograma soup with meat and vegetables.

  Turkmen porridge is traditionally made from grains like sorghum, and wheat.

  These grains give the porridge a hearty texture and robust flavor.

  The cooking methods vary, with some porridges boiled to a soft consistency, while others are thicker.

• Rice Dishes

  

  An array of traditional Turkmen pilaf dishes, highlighting the diversity of this staple cuisine.

  

  An outdoor scene of Turkmen pilaf being cooked over an open fire.

  

  A vibrant display of pilaf, a common dish during special occasions in Turkmenistan.

  Turkmen rice dishes, primarily pilaf, typically use long-grain rice and include meats like lamb, beef, or chicken.

  They are gluten-free, often cooked by simmering or steaming, and are flavored with regional spices and herbs.

• Snacks

  

  Samsa (flaky pastry filled with spiced meat) is a Turkmen delight.

  

  As a delicious, light snack, pishme is perfect for any occasion.

  

  Pişhme is a traditional Turkmen snack for celebrations.

  

  © Rastapopulous / CC BY-SA 3.0
  Frying pishme in a traditional cauldron in Turkmenistan.

  Snacks in Turkmen cuisine range from sweet to savory, with varied textures from crispy to soft.

  Common preparation methods include baking, slow cooking, and frying.

  Shapes are diverse, including triangular and round, with dairy frequently used.

  Most of them are suitable for vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

Turkmen Dishes: Signature Culinary Delights

• Most Popular Dishes

  

  Pilaf

  

  Pilaf is a rice dish (or wheat) popular in many countries around the world, combining grains with various broths, spices, meat, and vegetables.

  

  Beshbarmak

  

  Beshbarmak is a Central Asian dish consisting of boiled and chopped meat and onions on a bed of egg noodles.

  

  Laghman

  

  Laghman features pulled noodles served in a flavorful broth with vegetables and meat.

  

  Samsa

  

  Samsa is a baked savory pastry with different fillings that is a favorite street food in Central Asia.

  

  Chorba

  

  Chorba is an extensive collection of rich soups or stews in many Asian, African, and European countries.

  3 more Show Less

  Turkmen cuisine, with its rich and diverse flavors, is a true reflection of the country’s culinary heritage.

  These dishes are staples in Turkmen households for their unique taste and preparation methods.

• National Dish

  

  Ichlekli

  

  Ichlekli is a type of Turkmen meat pie made with meat and various vegetables.

  Ichlekli, also known as Içlekli or Ishlekli, is recognized as the national dish of Turkmenistan.

  Traditionally, Ichlekli was baked by being buried in hot sand and embers, a technique that reflected the nomadic lifestyle of the Turkmen people.

• Traditional Dishes

  

  Dograma

  

  Dograma is a Turkmen dish made from bread and boiled meat in broth.

  

  Gowurma

  

  Gowurma is a deep-fat-fried meat dish of gowurma that is enjoyed directly or for infusing flavor into soups.

  

  Ichlekli

  

  Ichlekli is a type of Turkmen meat pie made with meat and various vegetables.

  

  Kakmach

  

  Kakmach is a sun-dried meat from Turkmenistan that people often fry or bake before serving.

  

  Pilaf

  

  Pilaf is a rice dish (or wheat) popular in many countries around the world, combining grains with various broths, spices, meat, and vegetables.

  

  Pishme

  

  Pishme is a fried dough snack in Turkmenistan, commonly served with green tea.

  

  Shule

  

  Shule is a rice porridge in Turkmenistan.

  

  Suytlas

  

  Suytlas is a milk-based dessert coming from Turkmenistan and has a thick consistency.

  

  Unash

  

  Unash is a spicy Turkmen noodle soup with wheat noodles, black-eyed beans, and strained yogurt.

  

  Yarma

  

  Smooth and creamy yarma for a simple meal.

  8 more Show Less

  Turkmen cuisine features hearty and savory flavors, focusing on meat (mainly lamb and beef) and wheat-based ingredients.

  The dishes often use moderate spices to enhance natural flavors and include various forms of wheat like bread, dumplings, and noodles.

  Traditional cooking methods such as boiling, baking, and frying.

• Street Food Dishes

  

  Boortsog

  

  Boortsog is a traditional fried dough dessert from Mongolia and Central Asia, often likened to doughnuts.

  

  Ichlekli

  

  Ichlekli is a type of Turkmen meat pie made with meat and various vegetables.

  

  Lamb Tandoori

  

  Lamb Tandoori is a Turkish grilled dish featuring slow-cooked lamb with vegetables, often served with bread.

  

  Pilaf

  

  Pilaf is a rice dish (or wheat) popular in many countries around the world, combining grains with various broths, spices, meat, and vegetables.

  

  Samsa

  

  Samsa is a baked savory pastry with different fillings that is a favorite street food in Central Asia.

  

  Shashlik

  

  Shashlik is a famous grilled meat dish in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

  

  Tandyr Nan

  

  Tandyr nan is a Central Asian bread often patterned with a chekich stamp.

  5 more Show Less

  Turkmen street food is characterized by its rich and hearty flavors.

  They predominantly feature lamb and other meats prepared using traditional methods like tandoor cooking.

  This imparts a unique smokiness and tenderness. Breads and pastries, often tandoor-baked, are also central to these dishes.

  Breads and pastries, often tandoor-baked, are also central to these dishes.

• Exotic Dishes

  

  Naryn

  

  Naryn is an intriguing mix of noodles and meat, all served in a hearty bowl in Central Asia.

  This concept in Turkmen cuisine involves using unique ingredients, cooking methods, and flavor combinations uncommon in other cuisines, offering a distinctive experience for those new to Turkmen food.

• Fusion Dishes

  

  Chorba

  

  Chorba is an extensive collection of rich soups or stews in many Asian, African, and European countries.

  

  Dumpling Soup

  

  Dumpling soup is a dish category with dumplings in broth.

  

  Joshpara

  

  Joshpara is a filled dumpling in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Caucasus.

  

  Lamb Tandoori

  

  Lamb Tandoori is a Turkish grilled dish featuring slow-cooked lamb with vegetables, often served with bread.

  

  Pilaf

  

  Pilaf is a rice dish (or wheat) popular in many countries around the world, combining grains with various broths, spices, meat, and vegetables.

  3 more Show Less

  Turkmen fusion cuisine is a direct reflection of its diverse cultural influences, primarily drawing from Iran, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.

Turkmen dishes are culinary creations made by the locals of Turkmenistan. Often, the dishes are associated with the semi-nomadic way of life of the population.

In Turkmenistan, meat is a common part of a meal, with protein options typically including mutton and lamb, but are not limited to these. Camel, chicken, and gazelle also frequently grace the dining table.

Beef is less common, and horse meat is barely consumed in Turkmenistan since the animal has a great cultural connection with locals.

Ideally, these meat choices are boiled, grilled, or incorporated into stews. When served, many Turkmen specialties are compatible with various bread types, especially nan.

Apart from meat-based specialties, Turkmen locals also have steamed dumplings in the form of manti, usually available at marketplaces (bazaars) and restaurants.

Furthermore, Turkmenistan dishes involve few spices, with salt and black pepper being common picks. Additionally, cottonseed oil is heavily used in many dishes.

Interestingly, Ichlekli is widely considered the national dish of Turkmenistan by locals.

To fully comprehend Turkmen dishes, I’ll uncover the factors that affect Turkmen’s culinary options. Then, let’s get to know some of the cooking equipment used by the locals.

Additionally, it’s important to discover the customs and culture when dining in Turkmenistan and some short questions with their answers relating to the country’s dishes.

Are you ready to get to know more about Turkmen dishes? Interact with the images of the dish to know more information about it, or use the filter to get ideas that satisfy your curiosity.

34 Most Popular Turkmen Dishes with Filters

Turkmen Dish Images

What Factors Impact Turkmen Dishes?

Turkmen dishes are a combination of the past nomadic traditions with other ethnic minority cultures. However, there are more than just the people factors with suggestions like:

Nomadic Heritage

The Turkmen people were nomads, and this lifestyle greatly influenced their cuisine. Nomadic diets relied heavily on meat (especially lamb and goat) and dairy products, as these were readily available from their herds.

Geographical Location

As a Central Asian country, an arid and semi-arid climate has shaped its agricultural practices. Therefore, this affects the ingredients that are commonly used in Turkmen cooking, such as grains (wheat and barley) and vegetables.

Limited Use of Spices

Turkmen cuisine is not known for its heavy use of spices. The flavor of the food is often derived from the primary ingredients themselves.

Religious Influences

The majority of Turkmen are Muslim, and Islamic dietary laws influence the cuisine. For example, pork is generally avoided, and halal practices are observed closely.

Once you’ve discovered the features that impacted the dishes of Turkmenistan, venture further to discover the utilities that locals use for making these specialties.

What Are Traditional Turkmen Cooking Utensils?

The people of Turkmenistan have various utensils for cooking dishes. Here are some of the most iconic options:

Once you’ve learned about the types of equipment employed in cooking, immerse fully into Turkmen cultures and customs to fully comprehend these dishes.

What Are Turkmen’s Dining Customs and Culture?

These are some customs and cultures to pay attention to when dining in Turkmenistan:

Bread’s Cultural Significance

In Turkmen culture, bread, particularly flatbread, holds a place of high respect. It is often the centerpiece of the meal and is torn by hand.

Hospitality

Hospitality is a cornerstone of Turkmen culture. Guests are treated with the utmost respect and are offered the best food available.

It is common for hosts to prepare an abundant amount of food, more than can be eaten, to demonstrate their generosity. Refusing food can be considered impolite, as it may imply a rejection of the host’s hospitality.

Respect for Elders and Traditions

Meals are often communal, and there is a strong emphasis on respecting elders. The oldest person present may be offered the first bite or may initiate the start of the meal.

Traditional customs, such as saying a prayer or a blessing before eating, are common practices passed down through generations.

Special Occasions

Food plays a significant role in Turkmen celebrations and ceremonies. Special dishes are prepared for occasions like weddings, religious holidays, and national festivals.

Don’t leave just yet, as there is more to discover about Turkmen dishes through some of the concerns of other readers.

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