National Dish of Kyrgyzstan Laghmana

Laghman is a noodle and broth dish that is very popular in Kyrgyzstan. The noodles are usually handmade and the broth consists of meat and vegetables.

Servings

8 Person

Prep Time

60 Min

Cook Time

67 Min

Total Time

127 Min

For the noodles
3 ½ cups
flour
9 cups
water
2
eggs
2 tbsp.
oil
2 tbsp.
salt
For the Broth
½ lb.
beef chuck (julienned)
½ tbsp.
oil
1
medium onion (diced)
1
green bell pepper (cut into 1 inch thick strips)
1
medium carrot (thinly julienned)
3
small potatoes (peeled and cubed)
3
cloves garlic (chopped)
1
medium tomato (thinly sliced)
1 tsp.
tomato paste
½ tsp.
black pepper
1 tsp.
ground cumin
8
glasses water
2 tsp.
salt

Laghman is a noodle and broth dish that is very popular in Kyrgyzstan. The noodles are usually handmade and the broth consists of meat and vegetables. It is considered a national dish of the local Dungan and Uyghur ethnic minorities.

Directions for Preparing Laghman

Directions for Preparing the noodles

  1. Warm one cup of water.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, warm water, eggs, and salt.
  3. Knead for twenty (0:20) minutes into a springy ball of dough.
  4. Let the dough rest in a covered container for twenty (0:20) minutes.
  5. Divide the dough into halves.
  6. Roll out each piece of dough with a rolling pin into a flat circle.
  7. Roll the dough into a tube by rolling it over the rolling pin.
  8. Slide the rolling pin out of the tube and slice the tube horizontally into half-inch cuts.
  9. Loosen the strips into long noodles.
  10. Pour the rest of the water into a large saucepan, add a little salt and let simmer.
  11. Boil the noodles for three (0:03) minutes, then drain and rinse in cold water.
  12. Add the oil to the noodles and mix well to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other.
  13. Place the noodles into serving bowls.

Directions for Preparing the Broth

  1. Preheat a big wok on high heat, then add the oil.
  2. Stir-fry the beef in the oil until brown.
  3. Add the onions to the wok.
  4. Add the black pepper, salt, and cumin, then stir together evenly.
  5. Add the tomato paste and slices, along with half of the chopped garlic.
  6. Cook until the tomatoes are tender.
  7. Add the remaining vegetables and stir-fry for about four (0:04) minutes, stirring continuously.
  8. Add the water and reduce the heat.
  9. Allow the broth to simmer for twenty (0:20) minutes, then add the remaining garlic.
  10. Let the soup simmer for an additional twenty (0:20) minutes, then turn off the heat.
  11. Pour some of the broth, meat, and vegetables over the cooked noodles, then serve.

| National Dish of Tanzania

Laghman is a widely loved noodle dish in Kyrgyzstan, particularly among the Dungan and Uyghur ethnic minorities. These communities brought the dish to Central Asia through centuries of migration and trade along the Silk Road, where culinary traditions from China, Central Asia, and the Middle East blended naturally. The defining feature of Laghman is its handmade noodles, which are valued for their texture and ability to absorb rich flavors. The broth is typically built from beef or lamb combined with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and spices such as cumin and black pepper, creating a hearty and aromatic base. Vegetables vary by season and region, reflecting local availability. Historically, Laghman developed as a sustaining meal for travelers and traders. Handmade noodles and slow-simmered broths provided both energy and nourishment, making the dish well suited to the demanding lifestyles of Central Asian communities. Today, Laghman is served in homes, street stalls, and restaurants throughout Kyrgyzstan. It represents cultural identity, craftsmanship in noodle-making, and the enduring influence of Silk Road food traditions on Central Asian cuisine.

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