Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Herāt, Herāt, Afghanistan
1. Shola Zard (Saffron Rice)
Golden saffron-infused rice with raisins and almonds, a Herāt specialty. Try it at Kariz Underground Dining.
- Local Saffron: Made from locally grown saffron, giving it a unique flavor.
- Traditional Cooking: Prepared using traditional methods passed down through generations.
- Raisins and Almonds: Distinguished by the addition of raisins and almonds, adding a sweet touch to each bite.
2. Mantu (Steamed Dumplings)
Tender dumplings filled with ground meat and served with a tangy yogurt sauce. Visit the Mantu House for authentic flavors.
- Ground Meat Filling: The ground meat filling is made from locally sourced lamb, giving it a rich and hearty taste.
- Steaming Technique: The dumplings are steamed instead of boiled or fried, preserving their original flavors.
- Tangy Yogurt Sauce: Served with a tart yogurt sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
3. Qabili Pallow (Chicken and Rice)
A flavorful chicken and rice dish with raisins, carrots, and a touch of saffron. Try it at Al Borj Restaurant.
- Carrots and Raisins: The addition of sweet carrots and raisins adds texture and flavor to the dish.
- Saffron Infusion: Infused with saffron, giving it a vibrant yellow color and a distinct aroma.
- Chicken: Cooked to perfection, the chicken is tender and juicy, complementing the other ingredients perfectly.
4. Kabuli Pilau (Rice with Mutton)
A delicious rice dish cooked with mutton and an assortment of fruits like apricots, raisins, and carrots. Don't miss it at Shah-e-Do Shamshira Restaurant.
- Assorted Fruits: The combination of apricots, raisins, and carrots gives the dish a unique sweet and savory taste.
- Mutton: Cooked to perfection, the mutton adds richness and depth to the dish.
- Rice Cooking Technique: The rice is cooked in a large, conical-shaped pot called 'Dozhak' over an open flame.
5. Sorba (Yogurt Drink)
A traditional yogurt drink mixed with mint leaves and dried fruits. Refreshingly served at Kariz Underground Dining.
- Mint Leaves: Fresh mint leaves give the drink a cooling, refreshing sensation.
- Dried Fruits: Dried fruits add texture and sweetness to the tangy yogurt.
- Local Yogurt: Made from locally sourced milk, the yogurt has a distinct flavor and thickness.
6. Chickpea Porridge (Nan-e-Berenj)
A hearty porridge made from chickpeas, served with yogurt and herbs. Give it a try at Mantu House.
- Chickpeas: The use of chickpeas gives the dish a unique texture and nutty flavor.
- Yogurt and Herbs: Served with yogurt and herbs, adding creaminess and freshness to the dish.
- Hearty Porridge: A perfect comfort food for cold days in Herāt.
7. Afghan Chicken Soup (Ashak)
A unique Afghan soup made from wheat dough, yogurt, and spinach. You can find it at Shah-e-Do Shamshira Restaurant.
- Wheat Dough: The wheat dough gives the soup a unique texture and adds a slight chewiness.
- Yogurt and Spinach: The tangy yogurt and earthy spinach create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Afghan Cooking Technique: The soup is cooked by stuffing the dough into the pot, allowing it to cook evenly and absorb flavors.
8. Mulberry Dish (Shir Berenj)
A creamy rice pudding made with fresh mulberries. Savor it at Kariz Underground Dining.
- Fresh Mulberries: The sweet, juicy mulberries give the dish a unique flavor.
- Creamy Rice: The rice is cooked until it's creamy and smooth, creating a perfect base for the mulberries.
- Sweetener: Instead of sugar, traditional Afghan sweeteners like honey or date syrup are used to give it an authentic flavor.
9. Herāt Barbecue (Shashlik)
Succulent lamb and vegetables skewered and grilled over open flames. Try it at the street vendors near Shah-e-Do Shamshira.
- Lamb Quality: The lamb used is typically locally sourced, ensuring a high quality and rich flavor.
- Grilling Technique: Grilled over open flames, giving it a smoky, charred flavor.
- Fresh Vegetables: The vegetables are also fresh and seasonal, adding color and flavor to the dish.
10. Pomegranate Molasses (Anar Dugh)
A thick syrup made from pomegranates, used as a sweetener or flavor enhancer in various dishes. Taste it at Mantu House.
- Pomegranate Juice: The juice from pomegranates is boiled until it thickens, creating the molasses.
- Versatility: It can be used as a sweetener in desserts or as a flavor enhancer in savory dishes.
- Local Pomegranates: The pomegranates used are locally grown, giving the molasses a distinct flavor.
11. Herāt Bread (Naan)
Fluffy and soft flatbread cooked in a traditional clay oven. Try it at Kariz Underground Dining.
- Clay Oven: Cooked in a traditional clay oven called 'tandoor', giving the bread a unique flavor.
- Soft and Fluffy: The bread is soft, fluffy, and perfect for soaking up sauces or dips.
- Freshly Baked: Baked fresh daily, ensuring a delicious taste with each bite.
12. Afghan Tea (Chai)
Strong, aromatic black tea served with sugar and cardamom. Enjoy it at any local café in Herāt.
- Strong Black Tea: The strong black tea is the base for this traditional Afghan tea.
- Cardamom: Cardamom gives the tea a unique, aromatic flavor.
- Sugar and Milk: Traditionally served with sugar and milk, creating a sweet and creamy taste.
13. Herāt Pomegranate (Anar-e Herat)
Juicy, seedless pomegranates grown in the fertile soil of Herāt. Find them at local markets.
- Seedless: The pomegranates are seedless, making them easy to eat and enjoy.
- Fertile Soil: Grown in the fertile soil of Herāt, the pomegranates have a rich flavor and juiciness.
- Local Source: The pomegranates are sourced locally, supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable practices.
14. Herāt Nuts (Nokhodchi Herat)
Crunchy, flavorful nuts native to Herāt. Available at local markets and roadside vendors.
- Flavorful: The nuts have a rich, nutty flavor that is unique to the region.
- Crunchy Texture: The texture of the nuts is crunchy and satisfying.
- Local Source: Grown locally, the nuts support local farmers and promote sustainable practices.
15. Herāt Apricots (Zardalu Herat)
Sweet, juicy apricots grown in the fertile soil of Herāt. Find them at local markets.
- Juicy: The apricots are juicy and flavorful, making them a popular choice.
- Fertile Soil: Grown in the fertile soil of Herāt, the apricots have a rich, sweet flavor.
- Local Source: The apricots are sourced locally, supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable practices.