Manti

Manti is a type of dumpling that is popular in Turkic cuisine. It's popular in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the Balkans, and beyond. Manti come in a variety of forms and sizes depending on where you live, but they're normally made with a spiced meat combination, usually ground lamb or beef, wrapped in thin dough and boiled or steamed. They resemble Mongolian buuz, Chinese baozi and jiaozi, Tibetan momo, and Korean mandu in appearance.

The exact origins of manti are unknown, however the best theories claim it may have originated in the Mongol Empire's lands. Others attribute it to the Uyghur people of northwest China, while others claim it originated in the Middle East.

Manti is frequently filled with minced lamb in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, but it can also be filled with beef or horse meat.

Typically, the minced beef is seasoned with black pepper and combined with chopped pumpkin or squash. It's traditionally served with butter, sour cream, and an onion or garlic sauce, but when sold as street food, it's usually topped with fiery red pepper powder.