turkmenistan
As in neighboring Central Asian countries, the main dish
of Turkmen cuisine is pilaf. It is cooked with rice, lamb with
the addition of many herbs, seasonings and spices, dried
fruits and nuts. Fatty meals in Turkmenistan cuisine are
accompanied with fermented beverages such as "airan" and
"chalob" made of camel's milk.
While your tour to Turkmenistan, you should definitely try
the Caspian sturgeon and stellate sturgeon- baked in clay
oven 'tandoor', smoked or grilled.
There are several kinds of soups in the Turkmenistan cuisine.
There are following options are popular “shorba” with meat and
vegetables, spicy soup "gaynatma" prepared from camel, lamb soup
“dograma” with onions and chopped tortillas.
“Kaurman” is a special of Turkmenistan cuisine. Lamb is cooked
in its own juices and it is very delicious although greasy.
Complete the meal with "GOK tea" - green tea with mint and dried fruits. Of alcoholic beverages is worth paying attention to the Turkmen brandy, wine and vodka "Turkmenbashi."
Restaurants in Ashgabat
Altyn Jam
Altyn Jam is known as
AJs among expats. This restaurant is a right place for lunch and
has delicious European dishes. AJs boasts with its fine
desserts. Pizza will be delivered to your hotel room upon
request.
Address : Turkmenistan,
Ashgabat, Magtymguly shayoly 101
Phone : (993 12)
39-68-50
Ayna
A seafood restaurant is
no easy feat to pull off in Central Asia, but this place manages
by flying all its ingredients in from Moscow and Dubai. The
tasteful interior is appropriately decorated with model ships
and the service is friendly. Starters include an excellent
seafood soup and the tsar's salad, which includes red caviar,
potato and sour cream. Baked scallops and a pricey lobster US$45
are among the mains.
Ay Peri
This authentic Chinese
joint specialises in spicy Sichuan dishes. The red lanterns add
to the Asian décor, while the menu offers a few delicacies,
including 'penis of maral Chinese vodka', considered a health
product. Whatever the health benefits, travellers should resist
eating dishes that include endangered species such as the maral
deer.
Coffee House
The eclectic menu,
excellent service and European-style atmosphere make this one of
the more attractive restaurants in the city. As the name
indicates, there is a nice selection of coffees imported from
Indonesia, Africa and Latin America. Breakfast includes
omelettes and pastries while afternoon appetisers might see you
sampling the hummus or tabuleh. This place is very popular with
Ashgabat's expats.
Dip Club
Lebanese restaurant
serving up tasty Middle Eastern favourites like hummus, dolma(vegetables
stuffed in grape leaves), moutabal (grilled
eggplant) and chicken shawarma(chicken cut
from a spit and served in a pita). The atmosphere is a bit
bland, but it does play Arabic music and has live music on
weekends.
Erzurum
Smart and simple, the
Ezurum serves up tasty Turkish fare including pide,
a Turkish pizza, and tasty cheese bread. The service is
attentive and swift, although it can get very hot in the summer
months due to the wood-fired oven.
.
Italian Restaurant
Enjoys the reputation of
being one of the best eateries in the city. The Parmesan is
fresh, pepper is served from suitably enormous mills and there's
a decent selection of Italian wine.
Minara Restaurant
This classy restaurant
is located on the 5th floor of the enormous waterfall-mall in
Independence Park. The views are great and the menu is varied,
if not a little amusing - dishes include 'squirrel salad', and
'English-style small cakes with brains'. The carp stewed in beer
is recommended
Sazada
A bizarre tribute to
kitsch Americana, you'll find posters of Frank Sinatra, Marilyn
Monroe and Elvis, rusting license plates and car fenders poking
out from the walls. The food is a fairly lamentable attempt at
hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches and pizza, but it's still a fun
place for a drink or to see how young Ashgabatans spend their
leisure time.
Sim Sim
Hidden among apartment
blocks, Sim Sim serves an array of dishes you probably won't
find anywhere else in the city, including shrimp shashlyk and
frogs legs in white wine. It attracts a young, hip crowd who eat
and drink on the lively balcony and in the main dining room. To
find this place take a taxi.
