RESTAURANTS
NATIONAL CUISINE
Must-Try
Khash
Khash is an ancient Armenian dish, hot, filling, and symbolic. The name “Khash” comes from the Armenian word “khashel,” which describes the main method of cooking the dish. Other similar names have also come from this word: khashlama, khashu, khashil. Khash was mentioned as early as the 11th century, in Grigor Magistros’s work “The Comfort of Warmth.”
Making khash is a whole ritual, when men gather in the evening and cook the soup made from beef legs all night long, over low heat. It is traditionally served early in the morning, mainly in autumn, winter, and early spring. Khash lovers eagerly await the months that contain the letter “r” in their names: from September to April.
NATIONAL DRINKS
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Discover the Unique World of Armenian Beer
Armenia is best known for its brandy and wine culture, however, in recent years, the country has also been rapidly developing a craft beer culture, which is becoming a new interesting direction for both locals and tourists.
Beer production in Armenia has an ancient history. As early as the 5th century BC, the Greek philosopher Xenophon, in his work “Anabasis”, describes how he saw barley drink stored in clay vessels in one of the villages of Ancient Armenia. He says: “Wheat, barley and barley drink were stored in clay vessels. Barley grains floated in the drink, and reeds were stuck in the upper part of the vessel, through which people drank the drink. The beer, not mixed with water, was very strong, but it was pleasant and loved by the locals.” This evidence proves that beer has been known in Armenian culture for thousands of years.
