Azerbaijan Famous Food - 10 Exotic And Traditional Dishes To Savor

Learning the known Azerbaijan food is a journey that is full of flavors, old fashioned cooking and friendly hospitality. Aromatic plov, fat kebabs and warm piti, all of them are representatives of a rich culture of the country. In order to experience these gastronomic delights with your own eyes, it is important to plan your trip in advance, and the e-visa Azerbaijan system is convenient and allows you to enter the country in a short amount of time and without any inconvenience in case of a food-lover's visit. Savor all the delights of the unique Azerbaijan dishes.

10 must-try famous foods of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan was one of the key centers of the Silk Road, the connection between civilizations and people of the East and the West, during millennia. Therefore, numerous cuisines, ingredients, and flavors have been created over the years and are currently abundant and diverse. This article will analyze the 8 best Azerbaijani dishes.

Plov - Azerbaijan national food

Pilau is a national food of Azerbaijan; this simply cooked rice can be offered everywhere. Prepared using saffron rice, grilled meat, vegetables and herbs, each part and restaurant has its particular version, and each dish is something special.

It is a good-looking dish with a long history and according to legends, Alexander the Great invented this dish and gave it to his soldiers. Pilaf is regarded as a food staple in Azerbaijan and it is made in various forms. The original dish is basmati rice, balthali rice mixed with dry fruits, curry and lamb or beef and gives a sweet and savory flavor.

A fine example of Shah Plou is one made of Ganja, pilaf wrapped in flat bread, and allowed to dry when baked and served at weddings and at Nowruz celebrations. Traveling to Azerbaijan, pilaf is one of the things that one must not leave Baku or Ganja without trying it as a part of its cultural and culinary heritage.

Plov, also called Pilaf, stands tall as Azerbaijan national food

Dolma – Stuffed grape leaves

One of the famous Azerbaijani dishes is Dolme, in which the grape leaves are stuffed and then wrapped with a blend of lamb, rice, vegetables and spices. The dish is popular among numerous people not only in Azerbaijan, but also in most places of Eastern Europe. It is served often as a dessert, it goes well with a thick and traditional Azeri yogurt and garlic sauce providing a perfect combination of Mediterranean tastes.

Azerbaijan has over 25 varieties of dolma, the cuisine being different according to the season and the region. Eggplant and peppers are available in summer, and grape leaves are available in winter and spring, and cabbage leaves are available in the fall.

The national variant of yarpak dalmasi in Azerbaijan is a grape leaf filled with meat, onions, rice and fresh herbs (coriander, cumin and mint). It is normally consumed during either lunch or dinner. The locals take pride in having a good dolma and they feel that their grapes that are found in the mountain valleys of this country add to the flavor of this food.

Explore more: The best street food in Baku, Azerbaijan

Dushbara – Dumpling soup

 The Azerbaijani favorite is called Doshbara, which is a small dumpling thickened in a sweet pinto soup and is thus a most popular Azerbaijan dish, particularly during cold seasons. Mixed with minced lamb or pork, onion, garlic and local herbs like mint, they are very tasty dumplings which are warm and cozy, especially at winter time and during the New Year feasts in Azerbaijan.

Doshbara is prepared of extremely thin dough which is rolled out in squares and then cut into small squares and filled with a savory stuff. The meatballs are grilled and served in a light bone broth, vinegar, garlic and yogurt are also added to make it taste great. The preparation of such little dumplings is an art in Azerbaijan, and it generally takes over a dozen soup spoons to do it.

Doshbara is a Turkish food and it is one of the dishes that have gained popularity in Azerbaijan particularly the capital city of Baku. Doshbara must be made as the dumplings are small. The natives are proud of their artwork. The preparation of this dish is accompanied with fresh mint and saffron soup and has a wonderful and distinctive taste. This is indispensable to the persons who desire to delve into the Azerbaijan food culture.

Many people say that Dushbara is the best Azerbaijani food in Baku

Kebabs - Sizzling delights loved by all

The first question that tourists pose when visiting Azerbaijan is: What food do they eat in Azerbaijan? The answer may be Kebabs. When trying the Azerbaijani cuisine, one cannot but relish their kebabs which are their special thing.

There are numerous varieties of tasty kebabs that are available in Azerbaijan and have their own flavor. You have to taste the Lola kebab that is prepared with minced beef, Dana bastrima kebab and entrecote kebab. Mostly, these kebabs are prepared by grilling both meat and vegetables and grilling them intact.

The Liolia Kebab is one of the most famous and distinctive grilled skeletal kebabs made of a simple grilled minced meat on a skewer. Kebab is one of the most popular dishes in Azerbaijan with its smoky aroma, and sweet taste, and it is adored not only by locals but also by the visitors. Regardless of whether you are dining with friends or local people, kebab is one of the foods that you should not skip.

You can read more about  Top tourist attractions in Azerbaijan

Lavangi - Baked stuffed meat dish

Lavangi is the favorite and artistic dish that presents the Azerbaijan cuisine. It is a traditional dish filled with a delicious combination of walnuts, raisins, onions, sumac, alcha (green cherry plums), narsharab (pomegranate molasses) to present a perfect blend of sweet and sour tastes. It is usually made with chicken or fish.

It is a dish that is normally offered during special occasions like parties, home gatherings, and most importantly during Nowruz, the most significant day of the Azerbaijan nation. Extended families celebrate a feast during Nowruz and lavani is a significant event in the feast.

This food is normally cooked in a clay oven and thus has a distinguishing flavor. To make it more flavorful tamarind or cherry plum sauce is used to marinate the meat and onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and pomegranates are used as garnishes. Even though it is located mostly in the south of Azerbaijan, particularly in the Lankaran area, Luangi has been the heritage of the country and is a must have among those who would like to taste the various flavors of Azerbaijan.

Lavangi on wooden plate, Azerbaijani national food

If you're interested in plant-based options, check out vegetarian food in Azerbaijan for a list of delicious meat-free dishes

Shekerbura - Sweet pastry

Another sweet, which is related to the Novruz celebration but is available throughout the year, is shekerbura. It can be traced back to the 7 th century or the era of the Iranians Empire. The treat is also widely used in Afghanistan and Central Asia these days.

The stuffing of this pastry is composed of sugar and ground nuts, i.e. walnut, almond or hazelnut. It will be shaped like a half-moon and patterned into flame; to show the Novruz symbolism.

Pakhlava - Layered pastry

Pakhlava, which is baklava in certain areas, is a famous dessert in Azerbaijan and in the city of Sheki in particular. This multi-layered cake is a favorite dessert that is full of nuts and thick with sweet syrup as a nice finishing touch to an Azerbaijan meal.

Pakhlova is enrooted in the Middle East and the Caucasus and the approach to the preparation in Azerbaijan has not changed over the centuries. It is typically taken during Eid, particularly, during Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, when it is celebrated as part of the spring.

As the layer of dough is thin, and the stuffing includes nuts such as walnuts or pistachios ground into fine, and is made sweet with the help of syrup or honey, Pakhlava is a kind of an Azerbaijan culinary treasure. It is not only a dessert, it is a slice of culture, which may be offered by the family or friends at holidays or any special events.

Derived from Ottoman Turkish cuisine, Azerbaijani Pakhlava or Halva has roots in the famous Baklava

While Azerbaijani cuisine offers a rich variety of traditional dishes, Baku’s culinary scene is also a melting pot of international flavors. If you're in the mood for something different, exploring an Asian restaurant Baku can be a great way to enjoy diverse tastes ranging from sushi to spicy noodles—all while staying in the heart of the city.

Gutabs – Stuffed meat or vegetable pies

The most common Azerbaijani food is Gotabas which is usually served during festivals and events. These are sweet, thin, stuffed cakes that are popular in Azerbaijan and they have a rare flavor that is an edition of the various culinary backgrounds of the country.

It is a local dish that is prepared using local ingredients and comes with a wide selection of fillings, including minced meat, pumpkin, beans, dried fruit and seasonal herbs. The fillings are enclosed by a tender and creamy dough and cooked to perfection, a balance of flavours is created. Gutabs serves all types of tastes and preferences regardless of whether you are a gourmet or a vegetarian, during the Azerbaijan food tour.

Being a starter and light meal, Gotabas is the ideal display of the rich food culture in Azerbaijan. You should not miss the chance of having this great Azerbaijan food when you visit.

Piti - The supreme Azeri soup

In the northern region of Sheki, it is very popular that Piti is a traditional Azerbaijan soup. This is a preparation of slow cooked lamb, peas, potatoes and tomatoes in a glass clay dish referred to as dupo. This soup is prepared using saffron and prunes and its taste is unique and mild. Salty fat is an ingredient that is introduced as a special ingredient to enrich the soup.

The piti preparation is one of its own, it requires hours of cooking to acquire the taste. The soup is served in two phases, the initial one being after which bread is served on a plate and sumac sprinkled over it, then the soup is added. Then have the left of the pot as a second course. A lunch of a worker is very hearty and filled with food throughout the day; hence, Pitti, as it used to be known, is now called a worker lunch.

In Shakey Pete, the ghost town, they have the version of this soup with peanuts instead of potatoes, a special feature. Piti is a dish that you must definitely try in case you are planning on experiencing the gastronomical traditions of Azerbaijan since it is the best taste of the country.

For an unforgettable dining experience, explore Best Restaurants in Baku Azerbaijan and discover top places to enjoy authentic Azerbaijani cuisine.

Buglama - Slow-cooked stew

Boglama is a pot used in Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan, the term Boglama is the steam. This dish is made up of tender lamb which is slow cooked and that too to two hours giving it the best texture and flavor. Slow cooking will enable the lamb to absorb the maximum flavour of the spices, vegetables and cherry plums that will be used to prepare the lamb.

Buglama is cooked in a special pot; it is a mixture of lamb meat, onion, tomato, pepper and various spices like black pepper, bay leaf and others. The presence of cherry plums makes it add a different level of tartness that balances well with the richness of the lamb as well as the taste of the vegetables. Though lamb is the best choice in this dish, in most cases fish has been used instead. Boglama is a sweet and savory pudding, which depicts the Azerbaijan heritage and can be tried as one of the must-have dishes when exploring the Azerbaijan culinary heritage.

Although Azerbaijani dishes like plov and dolma are local favorites, the city of Baku also caters to international palates. If you're seeking the bold and aromatic flavors of the south, visiting a south Indian restaurant in Baku is a must—offering everything from dosa and idli to rich coconut-based curries.

Understanding Azerbaijan food prices

In Azerbaijan, food prices vary depending on factors such as the type of food used, the place of eating and the popularity of the food.

In general, traditional dishes such as Plov, Dolma, Dushbara and Shekerbura are available and affordable, so they can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Street foods like Kebabs and Qutab are popular options and can be found at affordable prices. Desserts like Pakhlava and Lavangi may be slightly more expensive due to their premium ingredients and preparation.

Generally, Azerbaijan offers a wide variety of cuisine options at various price points to suit a variety of budgets.

In conclusion

For travelers who want to explore this culinary wonderland, the good news is that obtaining an Azerbaijan eVisa is an easy process. The country has implemented a visa system that allows applicants from eligible countries to apply online. Applicants can fill out the application form and submit the required documents and pay the visa fee by visiting the Azerbaijan Immigration Services website. Processing works well, providing visitors with a convenient and efficient way to enter this exciting country.