Ashlyam-fu

Ashlyam-fu, arguably Kyrgyzstan's most popular dish, is popular with both tourists and locals. Its flavor is as delectable as its name is exotic, and it is sure to tempt you throughout your journey.

Ashlyam-fu (also spelled ashlyanfu and ashlyan-fu) is a cold soup from Dungan cuisine that arrived in Kyrgyzstan in the mid-18th century. Its name is a combination of "ash" and "liang-fen"; "ash" means "food" in Kyrgyz, and "liang-fen'' is the name of a cold noodle dish in Chinese, which is widely spoken by Dungans.

Unlike the Chinese version, the Kyrgyz soup recipe includes meat, noodles, eggs, and vegetable broth in addition to starch. If you like spice, try lazy (lazjan), a spicy seasoning made of red pepper and sunflower oil. The best ashlyam-fu is made in Karakol and served with fried potato pie.