If you are planning to visit Armenia, make sure to admit to yourself: you are going to wanna eat everything this national cuisine has to offer! Just like in no other country in the world, Armenian cuisine is a perfect representation of national identity, a history full of hardships, living under foreign rule but still making the best out of it!

As we are more than sure that tasting Armenian food is one of many reasons for you to mark Armenia as your next travel destination, let us give you a short introduction to some dishes that are worthy of tasting!

Dolma

Dolma is one of the most famous and beloved Armenian dishes that is always present on every Armenian table! Traditionally, dolma is made of grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat. There is also a number of variations of dolma cooked without meat (only with rice, chick-pea, etc.)

Lavash

We bet you have heard of Armenian traditional bread-lavash! Although it is considered having an Armenian origin, lavash, with the help of its magical taste has spread throughout Asia and Caucasus. The dough is made of wheat flour, salt, and water, and is baked in traditional Armenian tonir. By the way, if you are about to visit Armenia, make sure to treat yourself with witnessing the process of lavash baking!

Harissa

Harissa is yet another Armenian dish with an unbelievable taste! It consists of two main ingredients: peeled wheat and meat. More commonly, harissa is made with chicken meat. As simple as the ingredients may make it seem, the cooking consumes a lot of time and energy. However, we assure you: the final result is worth it!

Ghapama

We introduce you to an Armenian dish that is loved by Armenians to such an extent that there is even a traditional song dedicated to it! Typically, Ghapama consists of a pumpkin stuffed with rice, a variety of nuts, dried fruits, butter, honey, and cinnamon. The dish is commonly cooked for festive occasions, for the most part during winter and autumn.

Khorovats

Khorovats is an Armenian version of a barbeque where the meat is firstly placed on special skewers called shish or shampoors, and after, grilled on a manghal. The dish is often cooked in order to be shared with friends, family, and also, neighbors. Remember: hospitality is the second name of Armenians! 

Gata

A sweet dish that is always present on every Armenian table, especially during New Year or other festive occasions, is known to be called Gata! Traditionally, Gata consists of a bread filled with khoriz (a filling made of butter, sugar, and flour). One bite of it and we assure you, Gata will become your new favorite dessert!

Khash

If you have never eaten hard-boiled meet on an early morning, Armenians would love to introduce you to their beloved dish: khash! The dish is commonly made of sheep’s/cow’s feet and/or head. Most importantly, it is commonly eaten with the famous Armenian bread you are already familiar with-lavash. By the way, prepare yourself to eat this delicious dish with your hands and accompanied by oghi (Armenian vodka).

Pakhlava

It is very unlikely to find any Armenian festive table without a pakhlava! Whether it is New Year or any other occasion, this dessert made of layers of phyllo pastry filled with nuts is an inseparable part of any Armenian traditional celebration!

Basturma

If you wonder what is one dish that Armenians leaving all over the world ask their relatives to bring from Armenia, the answer is simple-it’s basturma! This air-dried, highly smoked beef is yet another important food always present on every traditional Armenian table. The salted meat is being left to dry up for about 15 days. As a next step, the meat is covered with a paste that is a blend of a variety of spices such as cumin, garlic, hot paprika, and pepper.

Lula Kebab

Meet the final dish that made it through our list of 10 traditional Armenian dishes. It’s Lula Kebab. The dish consists of chopped beef lean meat, accompanied by red and black pepper, salt, and onions. The dish is put on skewers to be grilled in traditional Armenian manghal.