Dishes to try and what they cost
| Dish | What it is | Typical price (som) |
|---|---|---|
| Plov | rice with carrot, onion and meat | 25,000–60,000 a plate |
| Samsa | tandoor-baked pastry with meat, pumpkin or potato | 6,000–10,000 at a bazaar; 8,000–15,000 in a bakery |
| Lagman | hand-pulled noodles in a meat-and-vegetable broth | 40,000–70,000 |
| Shashlik | charcoal-grilled skewers | 12,000–25,000 a skewer |
| Canteen meal | soup, main, salad and tea | 30,000–50,000 |
| Tourist restaurant | per person | 95,000–150,000 |
Prices are indicative figures from May 2026 and vary by city and by how touristy the street is. Tashkent and Samarkand tourist streets cost more than neighbourhood cafés.
When and where to eat
- Plov is a lunchtime dish: it is cooked in the morning and the best places run out by mid-afternoon.
- Samsa is best hot from the tandoor at a bazaar stall.
- Bread (non) and green tea come with most meals; at bazaars they often add under $1.
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Many mid-range and upscale restaurants add a 10–15% service charge. If none is added, about 5–10% in cash is appreciated. At canteens and stalls, rounding up is enough.
Vegetarian options
Look for pumpkin or potato samsa, tomato-and-cucumber salads, achichuk (spicy tomato salad), bread, yoghurt and bazaar fruit. Plov and lagman normally contain meat, so ask for a version without it.
Our guide can suggest places near you: Tashkent in one day includes a plov stop.