Armenia boasts a rich gastronomic heritage and captivates foodies with unusual and delicious dishes that you will hardly meet in other countries. This blog will guide you through traditional dishes to try in Armenia so that you can be ready for your culinary adventures.
Traditional Armenian cuisine is where centuries-old traditions meet fresh ingredients. There are some exceptional dishes that define Armenian cuisine. Just like lavash, a flatbread baked in tonir, basturma and other gems are a must-try in Armenia. Even the most notorious foodies will not remain indifferent.
Some Armenian products like dried fruits and brandy can be found in other countries. Otherwise, tourists usually take them back home as a souvenir. However, trying spas or kufta will open a door into the delicious world of Armenian food. Let’s explore some dishes beyond popular tolma and khorovats that are a part of Armenia’s cuisine.
Kebab
Armenian khorovats (barbeque) and kebab are the most popular dishes in Armenia. Kebab is usually made of chicken or beef. However, there are many variations, including very exotic ones like crayfish kebab usually served near Lake Sevan.
Wrapped in lavash with greens, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions, kebab is considered fast food in Armenia.
Basturma
It is a typical Armenian dish that is popular for its flavor. It is a highly seasoned air-dried beef. The meat is first coated in a mixture of garlic, pepper, paprika, and other spices. Then it is hung to dry for several weeks to have a deep and intense smell and flavor.
This Armenian snack is often served in thin slices and is eaten with lavash and butter. There is also a popular omelet with basturma and sometimes this snack is used as a topping for pizza. Basturma is undoubtedly one of the best traditional dishes to try in Armenia.
Kufta
Armenians are known as meat lovers. Kufta is another popular dish made of beef and is a part of large gatherings. Pieces of meat are passed through a meat grinder and later through a grind processor to a grueling state.
Kufta is mixed with onion, butter, egg, salt, and black pepper and is boiled in water. It has the form of a big meatball and is served with a piece of butter on each slice. They say the best kufta is made in Etchmiadzin and Gavar, a city in Gegharkunik province.
Spas
This yogurt-based soup with hulled wheat is an ideal choice for cold winter days. The main ingredient of spas is Armenian yogurt called matsun, wheat, flour, eggs, and greens. The result is comfort food brimming with nutrition and flavor. Thanks to the well-cooked wheat berries spas has an interesting texture. Sometimes it is made with rice and chopped herbs like mint.
Arishta
Traditional Armenian homemade pasta has a great flavor as it is browned in a frying pan. It also resembles a noodle but is much thicker. Arishta is either cooked with fried onion and served as pasta or is a part of different salads also containing mushrooms, spinach, garlic, spices, and herbs.
Aveluk
Armenian cuisine boasts a variety of vegetarian dishes, and the country is heaven for herb and greens lovers. One of the standouts is aveluk also known as “mountain sorrel”, a unique and cherished ingredient in Armenian cooking. One of the most famous dishes is aveluk soup, where the leaves are simmered with lentils, herbs, and spices.
Aveluk is also used in salads with garlic, oil, pomegranate, and walnuts. Fresh aveluk leaves are made into braids and hung until they dry. You can use dried aveluk throughout the year. If you visit a market in Armenia, you will see long green braids everywhere.
Khash
Eating khash or a thick broth made, or beef feet is rather a ritual than a meal. Khash gatherings are social event where friends and family come together and usually eat in the morning in winter or autumn. Today friends usually gather in restaurants but in the past, it was cooked at home, too. It was a long process and sometimes took the whole night.
Khash is typically served with garlic, lavash, pickles, and cold vodka. Eating khash is an old tradition and a unique experience for tourists.
Gata
Armenian sweet bread is made throughout the country, but each region has its variety. The traditional filling is khoriz, a layer that consists of a mixture of butter, sugar, sometimes cinnamon, and nuts. In general, Gata has various designs on top showcasing the baker’s artistry and attention to detail.
Gata is associated with a holiday table and is always presented as a gift during a wedding. Its sweet, buttery taste and delicate textures make it a beloved dessert, enjoyed with a cup of strong Armenian coffee or herbal tea.
Which Restaurants Serve Traditional Armenian dishes?
Most of the Armenian restaurants in Yerevan serve dishes like khorovats and kebab. There are some traditional places like Dolmama, popular among celebrities visiting Yerevan, or Tavern Yerevan, a chain of restaurants focused on traditional dishes.
If you want to see how traditional dishes are made, many restaurants like the one at Megerian factory offer master classes on cooking tolma and other culinary delights. Of course, you can stumble upon some authentic recipes and unusual flavors in some small cafes or guesthouses in Armenia’s regions.
Anyway, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just curious to explore new tastes, it’s better to contact a reliable agency like Levon Travel that has 30+ years of experience in organizing custom-made Armenia tours.