Samarkand, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, has a rich culinary tradition that has been shaped by the various peoples and empires that have passed through its territory. For centuries, it was a key stop on the Silk Road, which brought not just goods but also cultural and culinary influences from across Europe and Asia. The cuisine of Samarkand is characterized by hearty, flavor-packed dishes that bear the hallmarks of Persian, Turkic, and Mongol heritage. Wheat and rice are staple grains, often used in pilafs, noodles, and bread. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are also central to Samarkand's cuisine, owing to the region's fertile land.
