5 Traditional Desserts of Turkmenistan Cuisine And Where to Find Them

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Across the spectrum of Turkmenistan cuisine, you’ll find many dishes – and especially desserts – borrowed from other cuisines. This gastronomical synthesis reflects the best of Turkmen history and geography. From Turkmenistan’s location as the bridge between Central Asia and Iran, to Turkmenistan’s Silk Road history at the crossroads of various Central Asian, Persian, Arab and Soviet empires, each group has left its mark on the culture and cuisine of Turkmenistan.

At Travel Insighter, we take desserts very seriously. This means we’ve done the hard work of taste-testing the sweetest foods in Turkmenistan cuisine to make sure they are worthy of this ultimate guide to Turkmen desserts.

You’ll likely find some of these desserts in neighboring countries – especially Uzbekistan and Russia. However, given Turkmenistan’s unique history and generally closed-off-from-the-world status, things taste a little different when they’re made here. Some of the desserts on this list can only be found in Turkmenistan, which is yet another reason to visit this quirky and isolated country.

1. Pishme

Easily the most famous dessert in Turkmenistan cuisine, pishme is akin to a Turkmen donut. Small, oval-shaped dough deep fried and covered in a light sprinkling of sugar – you know the drill.

However, pishme are slightly more dangerous than Western-style donuts as they generally consist of one to two bites. This means you’ll often find yourself going back for another, before quickly losing count of how many pishme you have eaten.

Best place to try pishme in Turkmenistan

Pishme are one of those local desserts which generally don’t appear on restaurant menus.

If you happen to be traveling in Turkmenistan for long enough, you’ll inevitably end up in some kind of social situation where pishme are served. In particular, pilgrims will often bring pishme to the Silk Road mausoleums – and in true Central Asian fashion, will probably come running over with a bagful.

Our favorite mausoleums frequented by pilgrims include the Gozli Ata Mauseulum (near the Yangy Kana Canyon) and the magical Qyz Bibi shrine in Nokhur.

2. Bahklava

From Bosnia to Türkiye to Syria, so many countries claim bahklava as their national dessert. Layers of filo pastry stuffed with nuts and drizzled with honey, bahklava needs no introduction to Western travelers.

The bahklava in Turkmenistan is different from the Middle Eastern variety, and closer to bahklava I have eaten in Azerbaijan. It’s not overwhelmingly sweet and it leans heavier on the nutty (usually walnut) flavors. If you’re visiting Turkmenistan during Nowruz (or Persian New Year), you’ll find plenty of families celebrating with fresh bahklava.

Best place to try bahklava in Turkmenistan

Unlike other bahklava-eating countries, you won’t find any gourmet dessert shops in the often empty and monumental streets of Ashgabat. You also won’t find any dessert sellers or street food stalls in the tightly controlled markets of Turkmenistan.

Your best bet for finding bahklava in Turkmenistan is in small mini-markets which you’ll find both in cities and on the highways leaving major towns. It won’t be fresh from the tray, but it’s usually well packaged and ideal for long bus or train rides.

3. Chak-chak

If you ask any Turkmen whether chak-chak is part of traditional Turkmenistan cuisine, the answer will be resolutely: no. This unique dessert is Tatar in origin, presumably brought to Turkmenistan during its period as part of the Russian and, later, Soviet empires.

Chak-chak is found across mini-markets in Turkmenistan and remains extremely popular. For travelers who have not yet visited Kazan or Tatarstan, Turkmenistan offers an opportunity to try this unique, and extremely addictive, dessert.

Chak-chak is quite simple: thin strips of dough, deep fried and covered in a sticky honey with toasted sesame seeds or hazelnuts. You want to make sure the package seems fresh and the dough is crispy. When old, they can be slightly stale and a little tasteless.

Best place to try chak-chak in Turkmenistan

If you’re traveling across Turkmenistan on any road trips to Turkmenistan’s Silk Road tourist attractions, you’ll inevitably be stopping at little mini-markets for a recharge and restroom break. By the cashier you’ll usually find an assortment of desserts, including little cartons of chak-chak.

4. Melons

Eating melons in Central Asia will change your life. The crunch, the vibrancy, the juiciness – I can boldly say I’ve never eaten a better melon in any other region on earth. And I’ve eaten many a melon in many places.

They say Turkmenistan is home to over 400 different variations in melons. You may know watermelons and honeydew, but you’re about to be introduced to new names and melon flavors you can’t even imagine.

Best place to try melons in Turkmenistan

Literally everywhere.

One of my favorite things to do in Turkmenistan is to head to the fruit section of one of the Sunday bazaars and go on a ‘melon crawl.’ You don’t need to buy a whole melon (but you’re obviously welcome to). Simply point to the different shapes and colors and ask for taste tests from the vendors. Of course, slipping the melon vendors a few manat for their generosity will always be greatly appreciated.

5. Pryaniki

I was unsure whether to include pryaniki on this list of Turkmen traditional desserts. Much like chak-chak, nobody would ever suggest pryaniki are part of Turkmenistan cuisine. But not only do they feature across bazaars and mini-markets in Turkmenistan, I might even go as far as to say they are among the best pryaniki I’ve ever had.

Pryaniki are small, round honey cookies, popular in Russia, Ukraine and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. They’re typically identifiable by their turtle-shell appearance, made from sugar dusting. In Turkmenistan, the pryaniki also typically feature a strong gingerbread flavor.

Best place to try pryaniki in Turkmenistan

You can easily pick up a bag at mini-markets around the country. However, if you want fresh pryaniki, you’ll want to make sure you stop by one of the large Sunday bazaars.

Unquestionably, the best fresh pryaniki I’ve ever eaten were in the Sunday bazaar in Dashoguz. There are tens of stalls selling pryaniki, so you’ll need to taste test from a few before deciding where to collect your bag from.

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