Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try
Armenia may not be on every traveller’s list to visit and it should be one of those off-the-beaten-path traveller experiences it can’t be beaten. Armenia straddles the divide between Europe and Asia and Armenian food culture does the same combining influences and blending of both Oriental and Western civilizations over the course of centuries.
Traditional Armenian cuisine is deeply influenced by Mediterranean and Eastern European culinary traditions. Western Armenian cuisine is very similar to Lebanese, Greek and Turkish food. Here you will find everything from Dolmas to hummus. The most common spices in Armenian cuisine are black pepper, cumin, sumac, basil, cinnamon, and summer savory.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A church on top of a hill with views overlooking a lake, where visitors can also enjoy delicious Armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/armenia-views-1024x406.jpg)
Armenia lies just south of the Caucasus Mountains and is bordered by Georgia and Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. Armenia was the first country to officially adopt Christianity and all throughout this gorgeous country you will find some of the world’s oldest churches and monasteries.
Talking about the food of Armenia I have to mention that Armenia is also one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. Located on the fertile valleys of Mount Ararat where some of the finest grapes are grown the wines of Armenia are superb.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A table with plates of Armenian food and a glass of wine.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Yerevan_Armenia_Appetizers-1024x768.jpg)
Some of the most famous Armenians around the world include the glorious Cher, the Kardashians, Garry Kasparov and the musical treasure System of a Down.
Armenian cuisine is rich in vegetables, grains and seasonings. The staple flatbread – lavash is known worldwide and has become a foodie favourite. Armenian traditional foods include lamb, eggplant, and bread (lavash). Armenians prefer cracked wheat (bulgur) to corn, noodles and rice. The flavour of Armenian food is based on quality rather than covering it up with herbs and spices.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A man is standing next to a large pot of armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lavash-armenian-food-in-a-tongir-oven-1024x649.jpg)
Eating is a huge part of Armenian culture and there is always an excuse for a festival including a great Armenian food feast. Many of these dishes will be familiar to you for example dolma, kebabs, and tabbouleh but the Armenians put their own twists and flavours into these essential dishes.
- Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try
- Frequently Asked Questions about Traditional Armenian Food
- What is traditional Armenian food?
- What are some popular traditional Armenian dishes?
- How is yogurt used in Armenian cuisine?
- What role do pomegranates play in traditional Armenian food?
- Are there any vegetarian options in traditional Armenian food?
- What is the significance of lavash in Armenian culture?
- 45 Armenian dishes you must try
- Armenian Bread
- Traditional Armenian cuisine
- Dolma
- Pasus Tolma – Stuffed Cabbage Leaves
- Harissa – Armenia's National Dish
- Manti
- Lahmacun/Lahmajun/ Lamadjo
- Ailazan
- Khorovats
- Shashlik and Kebabs
- Kyufta
- Vospov Kofte
- Lule Kebab
- Cig Kofte/Chikofte
- Yershig
- Basturma
- Khash
- Byorek/Burek/ Dabgadz Banir Boerag
- Chechil – Armenian Cheese
- Armenian String Cheese
- Pomegranates
- Dried Fruit
- T’tu Lavash
- Matsun
- Eetch
- Mshosh
- Topik Dumplings
- Tjvjik/Tzhvzhik
- Armenian Eggplant
- Ishkhan
- Kololik
- Kchuch
- Ghapama
- Fasulya / Lobahashu – Bean Soup
- Armenian Rice Pilaf
- Armenian desserts
- Armenian drinks
- Armenian food tours
- Final Thoughts on Armenian Food
- Frequently Asked Questions about Traditional Armenian Food
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Frequently Asked Questions about Traditional Armenian Food
What is traditional Armenian food?
Traditional Armenian food refers to the culinary heritage of Armenia, a country known for its rich history and diverse flavors. Armenian cuisine typically includes a variety of dishes made with ingredients like lamb, yogurt, walnut, pomegranate, eggplant, and grape leaves.
What are some popular traditional Armenian dishes?
Some traditional Armenian dishes include lavash (flatbread), khorovats (skewered meat, usually grilled), harissa (a type of stew made with meat and cracked wheat), and various pastries filled with ingredients like ground meat, walnut, and dried fruit.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/armenian-food.jpg)
How is yogurt used in Armenian cuisine?
Yogurt is a common ingredient in Armenian cooking and is often used in both savory and sweet dishes. It can be served as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or used to make refreshing drinks and dips.
What role do pomegranates play in traditional Armenian food?
Pomegranates are a symbol of fertility and abundance in Armenia, and they are widely used in Armenian cuisine to add color, flavor, and nutrients to dishes. Pomegranate juice, seeds, and molasses are commonly used in marinades, sauces, salads, and desserts.
Are there any vegetarian options in traditional Armenian food?
While Armenian cuisine features a lot of meat-based dishes, there are also many delicious vegetarian options available. Dishes like eggplant stew, grape leaf dolma (stuffed grape leaves), and lentil soups are popular choices for vegetarians.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try three different khachapuri georgian cuisine](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Three-ajar-khachapuri-with-meat-egg-cheese.jpg)
What is the significance of lavash in Armenian culture?
Lavash is a thin and soft flat bread that is on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Lavash is a traditional thin bread and its preparation is typically undertaken by a small group of women, and requires great effort, coordination, experience and special skills. A simple dough made of wheat flour and water is kneaded and formed into balls, which are then rolled into thin layers and stretched over a special oval cushion that is then slapped against the wall of a traditional conical clay oven. After thirty seconds to a minute, the baked bread is pulled from the oven wall. Lavash is commonly served rolled around local cheeses, greens or meats, and can be preserved for up to six months. It plays a ritual role in weddings, where it is placed on the shoulders of newlyweds to bring fertility and prosperity.
45 Armenian dishes you must try
Armenian cuisine includes a wide variety of delicious dishes that are worth trying. Many of the dishes in Armenian households have originated in the Armenian diaspora, with influences from Western Armenia. Traditional Armenian recipes have been passed down through generations, showcasing the rich food and culture of the Armenian people.
One Armenian word commonly associated with food is “manti,” a dumpling filled with seasoned meat or vegetables. Another popular dish is Armenian pilaf, a flavorful rice dish often served with meat or vegetables. For those with a sweet tooth, Armenian pakhlava is a must-try, a rich and decadent pastry made with layers of nuts and honey. You can also find Armenian yogurt, a creamy and tangy treat that is a staple in the Armenian diet.
One of the highlights of Armenian cuisine is the barbecue, known for its flavorful grilled meats and vegetables. In addition to savory dishes, Armenian cuisine also offers a variety of vegetable dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. When it comes to desserts, Armenian sweet pastries are a popular choice, with options like Armenian pizza, a unique dessert made with layers of dough and sugar. For a taste of tradition, make sure to try Armenian churchkhela, a sweet treat made with grape juice and nuts.
Armenian Bread
Lavash
One of the most famous Armenian foods – lavash is a soft thin flatbread that in a way resembles a Mexican tortilla although it is usually shaped in a rectangle. Lavash is considered the king of Armenian bread and it is the national bread of Armenia.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A pizza oven is being used to bake a Turkish-style pizza.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/lavash-flatbread-1024x682.jpg)
Matnakash
Matnakash is another traditional Armenian bread that uses wheat flour and a leavening agent. The dough is shaped into rounds or ovals with deep central ridges created by pulling a finger through the raw dough. The crust is brushed with sweet tea before baking.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An Armenian piece of bread on a table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Matnakash.jpg)
Tahinov Hatz (Armenian Tahini Bread)
A crispy and sweet bread is also called Khobz bi–tahini, sesame paste bread, or tahini roll. A sweet treat this bread is covered with sesame paste, and sugar, and sometimes layered with cinnamon.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A woman wearing an apron, diligently preparing delicious Armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/making-lavash-1024x681.jpg)
Zhengyalov hats
This literally means a flatbread stuffed with a variety of herbs. The herbs are layered onto a thin dough and then it is baked in a special pan. According to which baker you listen to the bread must be layered with 7, 8, 9, 20 or 27 fresh herbs each one has their own secret herb mixture.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A woman is holding a plate of Armenian spinach wraps.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bread-with-herbs-lavash-1024x768.jpg)
Traditional Armenian cuisine
Dolma
Dolma is found all over Europe and the Armenian dish is very similar. Minced meat is mixed with rice and various herbs and then wrapped tightly in fresh grape leaves. In Armenia, dolma is usually served with yoghurt made from fermented milk and mixed with garlic.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/dolmades-1024x683.jpg)
Pasus Tolma – Stuffed Cabbage Leaves
Tolma is the cabbage leaf version of Dolmas where the stuffing includes lentils, chickpeas, red beans and bulgur mixed with tomato paste and seasonings.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/vegan-cabbage-rolls-1024x768.jpg)
Harissa – Armenia’s National Dish
Armenian Harissa is not the same as the spice paste you may know. In Armenia, harissa is a sort of porridge that combines meat and is cooked for many hours. Harissa is considered the National Dish of Armenia.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A bowl of oatmeal with nuts on top, a delicious and hearty breakfast option.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/porridge.jpg)
Manti
Manti here in Armenia is the same as Manti served in Turkey. The dumplings are filled with beef or lamb and finely chopped onion and parsley and served with garlic yoghurt or tomato sauce.
These little pillows of flavour are actually roasted and then covered in a red pepper and tomato sauce which is then baked so that the sauce becomes absorbed into the dumplings. Manti is served with the traditional Armenian dip of yoghurt and garlic.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A pan with a dish of Turkish food on a table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Manti-by-Lachlan-Hardy-e1578576410227.jpg)
Lahmacun/Lahmajun/ Lamadjo
The most popular Armenian food is Lahmajun one of Armenia’s favourite dishes. It is a sort of pizza with a round bread base topped with minced beef, onions, garlic and peeled tomatoes. It is oven-baked and then served with fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lemon.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An Armenian pizza on a plate.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lahmacun_parsley_and_lemon_in_Ankara-1-1024x768.jpg)
Ailazan
Ailazan is an ancient dish of Armenian cuisine which dates back to the 19th century. Traditionally it is cooked in a special oven called Tondir. Ailazan is a vegetable stew prepared from potatoes, aubergines, bell pepper, green beans, and tomatoes. Vegetables should be laid in layers in a cauldron and stewed for an hour.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An Armenian bowl of stew with potatoes and sour cream.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/veg-soup.jpg)
Khorovats
The word khorovats means grilled meats or barbecue sort of the Armenian version of kebabs. Pork is the usual meat used and it is marinated in salt, garlic, onion and pepper with some herbs added. The meat is then skewered and grilled over charcoal or in a tandoor-style oven.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A fire pit with a lot of Armenian food on it.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/khorovats.jpg)
Shashlik and Kebabs
Armenian lamb kebabs are marinated with onion, thyme and basil and then grilled on skewers over hot coals.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A plate of succulent meat, expertly grilled and served on skewers, awaits you at Leather Lane.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Shashlik-960x720.jpg)
Kyufta
A minced meat dish that is lightly spiced and mixed with crushed wheat and onions however, they are not grilled but cooked in a chicken broth that is flavoured with brown sugar and pomegranate molasses.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An Armenian plate with meatballs and lemon wedges on it.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kyufta-1024x576.jpg)
Vospov Kofte
This is an Armenian Lentil Kofte with a kofte patty made from red lentils and bulgur. The cooked lentils and wheat are mixed with onions, butter and salt and fried then served with a salad and sprinkled with cumin.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian-style fried chicken nuggets with chives and parsley.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Vospov-Kofte-1024x576.jpg)
Lule Kebab
Is a traditional Armenian dish of skewered minced meat kebab. It is made with different types of meat like beef, lamb, or mutton ground with onions, herbs, spices, and seasonings. The meat is shaped into a sort of flat sausage around a skewer and then grilled on a mangal.
The kebabs are then wrapped with a lavash and various vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and roasted peppers are added along with a sprinkling of sumac.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A man is preparing Turkish food on a grill.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Kebab-1024x768.jpg)
Cig Kofte/Chikofte
Often called the ‘Armenian steak tartare’ these meatballs are made of ground lamb, goat or beef mixed with bulgur, spices, tomato or pepper paste and onions. The meatballs when cooked are topped with olive oil and lemon and served with chopped tomatoes, onion, cucumber and peppers.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A plate of armenian food with meat and lettuce on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cig-kofte-1024x683.jpg)
Yershig
Yershig is a dry fermented sausage that is pretty spicy and salty. Made with ground meat which is usually lamb or beef and a ton of spices and seasonings. When dried it is quite hard so it is fried in its own fat or combined with stews and soups.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian sausages are being cooked on a rack.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yershig-1024x682.jpg)
Basturma
Basturma is an air-dried, smoked beef rather like Jerky in America. The salted meat is dried for 15 days and then covered in a spicy paste of cumin, hot paprika, pepper, fenugreek, allspice, salt and garlic. The Basturma can be eaten raw or cooked and is often used like pastrami in sandwiches.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A plate of Armenian meats and sausages on a table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/basturma-1024x683.jpg)
Khash
Khash is a soup that is used to soothe the head and stomach – after say heavy drinking sessions. The soup is made from offal and other parts of the sheep.
The name Khash comes from the Armenian Khashel which means to boil. The soup is served with dried lavash crumbled into it and is often served for breakfast. It is served along with condiments like radish, garlic, lemon, cinnamon and vinegar.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Two bowls of armenian soup and bread on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/kash.jpeg-1024x785.jpg)
Byorek/Burek/ Dabgadz Banir Boerag
Often served as an appetizer or in an Armenian meze platter byoreks are heavenly hand pies of beautifully crisp and flaky phyllo dough stuffed with cheese, herbs and spinach. The filling is bound with eggs and then wrapped in the delicate phyllo pastry.
Boreks, bureks or borags, beregs, boregs, and boeregs, are found throughout the ancient Ottoman empire countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, and Serbia.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An Armenian woman standing behind a counter full of food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/borek-street-food-1024x768.jpg)
Chechil – Armenian Cheese
is an all-natural smoked, braided, string-cheese snack handmade from pasteurized cow milk the perfect snack to go with your beer.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An armenian food - a strand of pasta with a rosemary sprig on a napkin.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Armenian-Chechil-1024x682.jpg)
Armenian String Cheese
A mezze staple Armenian string cheese is a white cheese that is usually made from goat’s or sheep’s milk, and studded with nigella seeds. It comes in a braid shape which is then unwound and creates the ‘strings’ to eat as a snack or with a mezze platter.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A bowl of shredded cheese with a spoon on top, perfect for indulging in Armenian cuisine.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/armenian-food-string-cheese-1024x683.jpg)
Pomegranates
Armenians love their fruits and the Pomegranate is indigenous to the Armenian highlands and considered the country’s symbol. They represent abundance, fertility and marriage. Armenians love pomegranate juice and the sweet fermented pomegranate wine.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Honey and pomegranate on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/apples-honey-and-pomegrantes-1024x683.jpg)
Dried Fruit
Many Armenian markets and shops display dozens of dried fruits. You will see apricots, sour cherries, sumac berries and black plums and these are often used to add a sour note to puddings, cakes, and soups.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A display of dried fruits in Yerevan market.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Gum_Market_Yerevan.jpg)
T’tu Lavash
T’tu lavash is an Armenian fruit leather and is popular in many countries such as Georgia – tklapi, Turkey – pestil, Iran – lavashak and the Arabic countries where it is known as amerdeen.
The fruit is dried in the sun and then rolled into thin leather-like sheets. The best one in Armenia is the Apricot T’tu lavash because the Armenian apricot is the national symbol of the country.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A man is standing in front of a display of different kinds of Armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ttu-lavash-1024x576.jpg)
Matsun
Matsun is an ancient Armenian food like yoghurt it is a fermented cow’s milk yoghurt. A very important component of Armenian cuisine it can be eaten with Lavash or added as an ingredient to other dishes.
Matsun can also be dried and it then becomes Kamats matsun which is created when the yoghurt is strained and dried to preserve it.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Two jars of Armenian yogurt sitting next to each other.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/matsun.jpeg)
Eetch
Eetch is an Armenian bulgur salad very much like tabbouleh and is made from pureed tomatoes, bulgur, onion, paprika, bell peppers and parsley.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try tabbouleh a traditional food in Cyprus](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tabbouleh-960x720.jpg)
Mshosh
Mshoh is a traditional Armenian salad prepared from brown lentils, dried apricots, walnuts and onion cooked together. Mshosh is served as a salad or snack hot or cold.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An Armenian bowl of lentils and oranges on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mshosh-1024x576.jpg)
Topik Dumplings
Topik is a favourite Armenian dish and it is a dumpling made from chickpea flour or ground chickpeas mixed with potatoes and white flour rolled into little balls with onions, pine nuts, herbs, allspice, cinnamon, sugar, salt, and tahini. The dumplings are boiled and served cold.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian fried dumplings on a plate with a salad on the side.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/topik-855x1024.jpg)
Tjvjik/Tzhvzhik
An Armenian dish of fried liver and onions.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An mouthwatering plate of Armenian food, featuring tender beef and caramelized onions.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/liver-and-onions.jpg)
Armenian Eggplant
A simple side dish that is considered a salad in Armenia the eggplant is sliced and fired. When cooked the dish is covered in sour cream/yoghurt, grated garlic and chopped walnuts. The slices are then garnished with chopped dill and pomegranate seeds.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian stuffed eggplants with sour cream and herbs on a wooden cutting board.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/eggplant.jpg)
Ishkhan
The most famous Armenian fish dish is Ishkhan or Sevan trout. This is a freshwater trout that Armenians love. Ishkan translates as Prince and this fish is considered to be among the best in the country.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Four plates of Armenian food on a table with a cup of coffee.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/traditional-Armenian-food-with-trout-1024x1024.jpg)
Kololik
Kololik is an Armenian meatball soup, with meatballs made from ground lamb mixed with rice, onions, parsley and seasonings. The broth of the soup is usually beef and has onions, tarragon, potatoes and rice in it
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian soup with meat and vegetables in a bowl on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/meatball-soup-1024x668.jpg)
Kchuch
Kchuch is a rich meat and vegetable stew made with lamb and vegetables that may include potatoes, onions, peppers and eggplant. A truly authentic Armenian cuisine dish it is finished with a dash of Armenian wine. Sort of an Armenian goulash without the noodles.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A bowl of national beef stew with carrots and parsley.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/stew-french-1024x682.jpg)
Ghapama
Ghapama is a pumpkin that is stuffed with rice, dried fruits, sugar, cinnamon sugar or honey and nuts and baked until soft. It is usually served on New Year’s Eve or Armenian Christmas on January 6th.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try An armenian dish consisting of a pumpkin filled with rice and raisins.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1024px-Ghapama.jpg)
Fasulya / Lobahashu – Bean Soup
Fasulya/lobahashu is a dried bean soup, made from kidney beans that have been cooked and mashed with tomatoes and peppers. The mixture is then seasoned with herbs, garlic, walnuts and spices.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A bowl of Armenian soup and bread on a table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bean-soup.jpg)
Armenian Rice Pilaf
Rice Pilafs are known throughout the world and the Armenian version is a combination of rice, vermicelli noodles (sometimes orzo or bulgur) cooked in stock seasoned with a variety of spices like mint, parsley, oregano, and allspice.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A plate of national dishes with meat and vegetables in it.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/rice-pilaf.jpg)
Armenian desserts
Sujuk
The main ingredients in Sujuk are grape, apricot, pomegranate, and flour which is mixed with hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts and occasionally chocolate and raisins are involved. The mixture is thickened around a string and then dipped in grape juice and dried.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A variety of dried fruits hanging on a string, commonly found in Armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sweets-833x1024.jpg)
Gata
This is a sweet bread made from a dough of flour, eggs, butter, baking soda, baking powder, and sour cream or heavy cream. The dough is rolled with sugar and butter to create a light fluffy pastry enjoyed by Armenians as a snack or dessert.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian croissants in a basket on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gata-1024x681.jpg)
Baklava/ Pakhlava
Just like the Middle Eastern desert Armenian baklava is also made of layers of phyllo pastry filled with nuts and then drenched in a sweet syrup or honey.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A plate with a fork and a piece of Lebanese baklava.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/baklava-1024x680.jpg)
Nazook
A brilliant cookie/coffee cake sweet, light flakey pastry layered with a streusel or walnut filling very similar to Gata. One of the Armenian favourites with coffee or tea is this cookie-coffee cake. Sweet pastry with many shapes, with butter, crispy sweet, rolled inside streusel or walnut filling.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A plate of armenian food pastries stacked on top of each other.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/nazook-1024x768.jpg)
Chorek
Usually made to celebrate Easter Chorek is a soft sweet bread enriched with eggs, butter, milk, and sugar along with Mahlab to make it slightly sweet, rich, and tender-crumbed.
Mahleb is a spice made from the seeds of a species of small wild cherry that is ground and used in many middle eastern dishes, particularly a lamb tagine. But mahleb is dominantly used in sweet dishes. The flavour is a combination of cherry rose and almond but it does have a bitter aftertaste. In baking, it adds that certain flavour that no one can identify.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A pizza is sitting on a table next to grapes.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/choreg-1024x719.jpg)
Mikado Cake
Nope not Japanese but a traditional Armenian dish Mikado cake is a multi-layered chocolate cake with its thin layers held together with caramel buttercream icing and topped with shaved chocolate.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A slice of chocolate cake on a wooden plate, perfect for satisfying your cravings for decadent Armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mikado-cake.jpg)
Armenian drinks
Soorj – Armenian Coffee
Armenian coffee is black and very, very strong, and it is a normally unfiltered coffee with a small serving size. It is normally black coffee making it very strong.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Traditional Turkish coffee, a popular food of Cyprus, is expertly poured into a delicate cup on a rustic wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/turkish-coffee-1024x683.jpg)
Matsnaprtosh/ okroshka
Matsnaprtosh is a traditional cold Armenian drink that uses matsun (cold fermented milk) combined with cucumbers and dill with salt and other herbs that is diluted with water and served in a glass.
The dish can also be turned into a cold soup to which is added boiled potatoes, green onions, radishes, bulgur, mint, and cilantro. This is a refreshing soup on a very hot day.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A bowl of Armenian soup with radishes and a spoon.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/okroshka-1024x682.jpg)
Tan
This is basically kefir or fermented milk like yoghurt and is a thick cooling drink usually served with lamacun by Armenian street food vendors.
Armenian food tours
Armenian Wine Tour
During this Tour you will be able to travel to the place where Christianity was started in Armenia after you will be able to Taste the amazing wine of Armenia in the Wine factory and be able to learn more about the Wine culture of the Armenian nation, You also will visit the Areni Cave which dates all the way BC and see the first winery ever created by human, which was in Ancient Armenia.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try Armenian food and wine on a wooden table.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wine-tour.jpg)
Read more about Wine Tour in Armenia
Armenia Food tour
This tour program is a typical gastronomy tour during which You will taste Armenian cuisine and drink popular Armenian wine and brandy. Also visit Garni and Geghard region where You will participate in the lavash (traditional Armenian bread) baking process and masterclasses in making dolma, gata, and other traditional dishes.
Armenia Gastronomy Food tour
Choosing a gastronomic tour to Armenia, you’ll have an opportunity to bake traditional Armenian Lavash, and delicious Dolma, and taste the famous Armenian wine and world-famous Ararat Brandy. During our tour, you’ll get a true taste of Armenian cuisine, moreover, you’ll be amazed by the spirit and hospitality of Armenians.
Read more about Gastronomic Tour in Armenia
Armenia Coffee farm tour
The Ramón y Elena Coffee Route is a model of entrepreneurship with social impact. In addition to entertainment, visitors will find how the economic benefit can be integrated with nature conservation and social impact. In Ramón and Elena, we collect rainwater and use it for the benefit of coffee, we recognize a fair payment to the collectors and we have the Recolecta Amor program, for the education of the children of the collectors. On our route, you will find a large number of varieties of fruit trees that provide shade to coffee and help conserve the ecosystem.
Read more about the Coffee farm route in Armenia, Quindío
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A man and a girl planting trees in the dirt while enjoying armenian food.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/coffee-tour.jpg)
Final Thoughts on Armenian Food
Armenian food is complex and deeply entwined with the culture and history of the country. Armenia is a former Soviet republic that became a country in 1991. With its title as one of the earliest Christian civilizations, it contains a rich traditional cuisine based on both Oriental and Western culinary heritages. A great way to learn about Armenian food is to visit the GUM Market.
The name for the GUM Market comes from the Russian abbreviation for ‘Main Universal Store’. It was a title given to the main department stores in former Soviet Union cities like Yerevan. This is where you go for meat, cheeses, candy, fish and all the usual Armenian treats.
![Traditional Armenian food – 45 Armenian dishes you must try A display of dried fruits in Yerevan market.](https://xyuandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Gum_Market_Yerevan.jpg)
I hope you have enjoyed learning about Armenian food and will not only visit this amazing country but indulge in some great culinary traditions.
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