Everything You Need to Know
Before You Visit Uzbekistan

Uzbek Food & Cuisine

Uzbek cuisine is one of the great culinary traditions of the Silk Road — hearty, generous and built around fresh bread, rice, lamb and sun-ripened produce. Meals are social events, and sharing a table is the heart of Uzbek hospitality. Wherever you go, you'll be offered tea and, almost always, a little more food than you expected.

Dishes you have to try

• Plov (osh) — the national dish: rice slow-cooked with lamb, carrots, onion and cumin. Every region has its own version.
• Shashlik — char-grilled skewers of marinated lamb, beef or chicken, served with raw onion and bread.
• Somsa — flaky pastries baked in a tandoor, filled with meat, pumpkin or potato.
• Lagman & manti — hand-pulled noodles in rich broth, and large steamed dumplings.
• Non (bread) — round tandoor bread, treated with real respect; never place it upside down.

Currency & Money

The official currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). Cards are now widely accepted in city hotels, restaurants and larger shops, but cash is still king at bazaars, teahouses, taxis and smaller venues. It's worth carrying a mix of both so you're never caught out.

• Bring clean cash — crisp US dollars or euros are easy to exchange at banks and official exchange offices.
• ATMs — available in cities and accept international Visa/Mastercard, though they can run low on cash; withdraw during the day.
• Keep small notes — useful for taxis, tips and market purchases.
• Tipping — around 10% in restaurants is appreciated; rounding up is normal for drivers and guides.

Visa Information

Uzbekistan has become one of the easiest countries in the region to enter. Citizens of more than 90 countries travel visa-free, and for everyone else the online e-visa is simple and quick. Always confirm the current rule for your specific passport before you book flights.

• Visa-free — 90+ nationalities can enter for up to 30 days with no visa at all.
• E-visa — applied for online and usually issued within about three business days.
• Invitation letters (LOI) — required for some nationalities as part of the visa application, issued through official channels.
• Passport & registration — keep at least three months' validity; hotels register your stay automatically.

Culture & Etiquette

Uzbekistan is a warm, hospitable, Muslim-majority country with a relaxed and welcoming everyday culture. Travelers are often amazed by how readily they're invited for tea. A few simple gestures of respect go a long way and will be warmly appreciated.

Simple etiquette that's appreciated

• Greetings — a handshake with the right hand, often with the left hand over the heart, is the warmest greeting.
• At religious sites — dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees, and women may cover their hair with a scarf.
• In homes — remove your shoes, and accept tea when offered; refusing hospitality outright can seem cold.
• Bread & photos — treat bread respectfully, and ask before photographing people, especially elders.
• Bargaining — gentle, good-humored haggling is expected at bazaars, never at shops with fixed prices.