Nine Tons of Flavor: Pilaf Festival in Khiva
Uzbekistan
On December 14, the international Khorezm Pilaf Festival opened in Khiva at the Arda Khiva tourist complex, aiming to promote Uzbekistan’s gastronomic heritage and boost tourism in the Khorezm region.
The highlight of the festival was the preparation of a record-breaking 9 tons of pilaf by 25 chefs from Khorezm, Tashkent, and Samarkand. The cooking involved 2.5 tons of meat, 2.5 tons of rice, 3 tons of carrots, 750 liters of cottonseed oil, and 60 kilograms of salt — the largest volume ever prepared at such an event in the country.
Khorezm pilaf is considered one of the signature dishes of Uzbek cuisine. Its distinctive feature is the step-by-step frying of ingredients with minimal water, giving the dish a rich flavor and aroma.
The festival took place against the backdrop of Khiva’s historic center Ichan-Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism in the region continues to grow rapidly.
According to regional authorities, more than 12 million tourists visited the Khorezm region in 2025, including over 2 million international visitors.
Khorezm pilaf is considered one of the signature dishes of Uzbek cuisine. Its distinctive feature is the step-by-step frying of ingredients with minimal water, giving the dish a rich flavor and aroma.
The festival took place against the backdrop of Khiva’s historic center Ichan-Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism in the region continues to grow rapidly.
According to regional authorities, more than 12 million tourists visited the Khorezm region in 2025, including over 2 million international visitors.
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