Ishleki: A traditional Turkmen dish gaining popularity across Afghanistan

KABUL (TOLOnews): Ishleki is one of the popular savory dishes with deep roots in the culture of the Turkmen people in the country, and it has recently gained many fans.

This dish is prepared by Turkmen families with great skill and special care, using meat and dough. It has now become a favorite food for many citizens.

Mohammad Hashim Walizadeh, who established a special Ishleki restaurant 12 years ago, says his goal was to popularize and introduce this special dish of the Turkmen people in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Around 10 other people also work at this restaurant alongside him.

Mohammad Hashim Walizadeh, the owner of Turkmen Ishleki Restaurant, said: “Ishleki is a Turkmen dish that used to be baked between layers of dough in the ashes of a fire. One layer was discarded, and the other was eaten. Now, with better facilities, it is prepared in an oven. I built this restaurant 12 years ago, and both my children and I, along with eight other young people, work here to earn a living for our families.”

Mohammad Babr Walizadeh, Mohammad Hashim’s son, said: “Ishleki is a traditional savory Turkmen dish that, in the past, only Turkmens were familiar with. But since we opened this restaurant, our customers have been increasing every day.” This unique Turkmen dish has recently attracted a lot of attention from many citizens, and many families come to this restaurant to enjoy it.

Ahmad Naveed, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, said: “Ishleki has an amazing taste, and whenever we come to the city, we never go home without eating Ishleki.”

Abdullah, another resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, said: “This dish has no equal. It may be the best and most delicious dish in Mazar-i-Sharif and the northern regions, and whenever I want to eat out, I come here and eat Ishleki.”

Hasaina, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, said: “It’s a very good and delicious dish. We always come here with our family, and today we came with my father and uncle.”

It is also said that other traditional foods such as Bolani, Ashak, Mantu, and Samosa are becoming increasingly popular among the country’s citizens.