QURUTOB

Tajikistan's national dish is without a doubt qurutob. Its name already gives you an idea of what's in it. Qurut are salty cheese balls that are a popular snack in Central Asia. Ob is a word that means "water." As a result, the kurut is dissolved in water to make a yoghurt-like sauce, which is then poured over flaky fatir bread bits. Finally, fresh herbs and baked onions are added to the dish.

Because it's a simple, everyday dish, most versions don't contain meat, making it ideal for vegetarians. You may, however, come across some that include lamb. Fresh vegetables like tomatoes and carrots are among the other varieties.

Where to eat: This dish is easy to come by in Dushanbe, where you can find qurutob khonas that specialize in qurutob. It's a great lunch option that won't set you back more than a few dollars.