Khash or Pacha – Armenia, Azerbaijan Dish

Khash, or Pacha, is a meat stew made from animal tongues, hooves, and stomachs. It is popularly cooked in Azerbaijan and  Armenia during the cold season and eaten with lavash bread.

Servings

6 Person

Prep Time

60 Min

Cook Time

165 Min

Total Time

225 Min

2 lbs.
calf tripe / stomach
4
hooves (from calf)
6
lamb tongues
2
garlic cloves
Salt
Paprika
Pepper

Khash, or Pacha, is a meat stew made from animal tongues, hooves, and stomachs. It is popularly cooked in Azerbaijan and  Armenia during the cold season and eaten with lavash bread.

Directions  for Preparing Khash

  1. Each meat product must be cooked separately before it is added to the stew.
  2. Preparing the hooves
  3. Clean the hooves by soaking them in boiling water. The hot water will loosen the hard hoof from the flesh, removing it easily.
  4. Prepare an open flame and singe the hair from the skin of the feet. Scrape off any extra hairs with a sharp knife.
  5. Wash thoroughly before soaking the feet overnight in water.
  6. Preparing the tripe/calf stomach
  7. Soak the calf’s stomach in water overnight. Please remove it from the water the next day and dice it into 1-inch pieces.
  8. Boil the pieces in water for ten minutes, then drain. Return the meat to the pot and add fresh water. Cook for fifteen minutes.
  9. Preparing the lamb tongues
  10. Place whole lamb tongues in a pot of water and cook until the skins are easily removed. Dice the cooked tongues.
  11. Making the khash.
  12. Place the hooves in a large pot and cook them in water and garlic.
  13. Add the calf stomach to the pot and cook for two hours. The meat will begin to fall off the bones in the calf feet. Remove the bones and any scum which forms. When the stomach and feet are halfway done, add the lamb tongues. Sprinkle adequate salt and pepper.
  14. When the khash is finished cooking, remove some of the fat and let it melt in a separate frying pan.
  15. Sprinkle paprika and cook for a few minutes until it dissolves. Pour the paprika-infused fat back into the stew.
  16. 16. Serve khash with vinegar and lemon juice.

National Dish of NORTH KOREA: KIMCHI

Khash, also known as pacha, is an ancient dish traditionally associated with Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as parts of Georgia, eastern Turkey, and Iran. It is a cold-season dish, deeply rooted in rural and pastoral traditions where no part of an animal was wasted. Historically, khash developed as a way to make use of tougher, less desirable cuts such as hooves, stomach, and tongues. These parts required long cooking times to become tender and were therefore simmered overnight or for many hours, producing a gelatin-rich, nourishing stew. The dish was especially valued in winter months for its warmth, high fat content, and restorative qualities. Khash is traditionally eaten early in the morning, often during communal gatherings. It is served very simply, accompanied by lavash bread, garlic, vinegar, and lemon juice, allowing diners to season it to taste. Alcohol, particularly vodka, is sometimes consumed alongside it in social settings, reflecting its role as a communal and ceremonial meal. Despite its humble origins, khash holds strong cultural significance. In Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is more than food, it is a ritual tied to hospitality, endurance, and shared tradition. Today, khash remains a symbol of heritage cooking, preserving ancient techniques and values centered on respect for ingredients and communal dining.

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