A cooking class with Shodiyor and Barchinoy was one of the highlights of our trip to Samarkand. It was so much fun to go on a guided tour of a local market, the fruits and vegetables were incredibly vibrant, and having a local explain more about the produce, it was a wonderful way to experience everyday life in Samarkand. After shopping for ingredients, we went to their family home on the peaceful outskirts of Samarkand, where we cooked plov and non (traditional Uzbek bread). It was my first time cooking over an open wood fire. The cooking class was hands-on we chopped all the ingredients, prepared the dough, and cooked everything in the most traditional Uzbek way. We also had the chance to meet Shodiyor and Barchinoy’s warm and welcoming family, which added to the feeling of being a guest in someone’s home rather than a tourist. Easily one of the most unique things to do in Samarkand, would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a local experience in Samarkand beyond the typical sightseeing. I did this cooking class with my parents and they equally loved it!

Dilnoza and her family were such wonderful hosts! We had such an interesting and wonderfull evening. We learned a lot about the country of Uzbekistan, the culture, religion and much more. The food was amazing - by far the best plov in all of Uzbekistan! Thank you for everything, I wish I will see you all again :D