Get ready to explore a whole new world of flavor with these 22 Armenian recipes. I find that food offers the absolute best method for understanding a culture without hopping on a plane.
Armenia sits in the Caucasus mountains and blends Levantine influences with European techniques for a truly unique menu. You will adore these sweet and savory options.
1. Armenian Meatball Soup
This dish might resemble standard tomato soup at a glance. I assure you that the flavor profile offers much more excitement than the canned stuff.
You make the meatballs from scratch using bulgur wheat and beef seasoned with paprika. The broth itself carries a lovely lemon tang alongside savory beef notes.
I suggest finishing your bowl with fresh mint.
2. Armenian-Style Layer Cake
This dessert resembles a stack of pancakes but acts like a decadent cake. The base is a crumbly nutmeg sponge filled with hazelnuts and cocoa nibs.
It is soft and sweet without being overwhelming. You will find layers of chocolate ganache and coffee whipped cream inside.
3. Bishi (Zing-a-Ling)
This treat certainly lives up to its fun name. Think of these as a lighter variation of a doughnut or beignet.
The exterior gets wonderfully crisp while the inside stays super soft. I usually see them dusted with powdered sugar.
You can also dress them up with chocolate sauce or maple syrup.
4. Armenian-Style Rice Pilaf
Imagine Rice-A-Roni but vastly superior in every way. I consider this the ultimate side dish for just about any main course.
It brings plenty of texture to the plate. The flavor profile is incredibly buttery and savory.
5. Armenian Flatbread (Lavash)
Lavash serves as the perfect partner for thick stews and soups. You can think of it as a Middle Eastern flour tortilla that gets baked rather than griddled.
I also use these flatbreads as a base for quick pizza-style meals. It is a staple food you need to try.
6. Homemade Armenian Manti
Most cultures have a dumpling variation and Manti represents Armenia and Turkey. These are quite different from Southern flour dumplings. They resemble the Chinese style more closely in appearance.
I love the seasoned meat filling and the garlic yogurt sauce served on top.
7. Nazook (Armenian Pastry)
You can consider Nazook a specific variation of Gata pastry. This version features a filling made of walnuts and sugar mixed with flour and butter.
Cardamom and vanilla add aromatic depth to the flavor. I think it feels a bit fancier than the standard recipe.
8. Armenian Cucumber and Tomato Salad
I find it hard to beat the freshness of this simple salad. It works perfectly when you need a crisp vegetable element for your meal.
The mixture includes scallions and mint tossed with tomatoes and cucumbers. Lemon juice and sumac provide a bright finish.
9. Lahmajoun (Armenian Pizza)
This dish delivers a massive amount of flavor in a pizza-like format. The recipe uses flour tortillas as a convenient shortcut base.
You top each one with a paste made from minced herbs and ground meat. I recommend eating it fresh from the oven with a squeeze of lemon.
10. Cake Ptichka
The name of this dessert translates to “little bird” in Armenian. It features multiple layers of honey cake filled with a rich vanilla custard.
You coat the entire thing in more custard and a chocolate glaze. I find that this icebox cake tastes even better after sitting in the fridge.
11. Armenian Shish Kebabs
I can never say no to grilled meat cooked over an open fire. This specific recipe uses lamb that soaks in a savory red wine marinade.
The liquid also includes tomato and onion for depth. You can easily swap in beef if that is your preference.
12. Armenian Gata
I have a deep love for pastries that feature flaky layers. This one contains a special filling made from sweet roux.
You essentially bake a butter and flour mixture with sugar to create the center. The result is incredibly soft and satisfying.
13. Topik
Fans of sweet and savory combinations will enjoy these vegetarian meatballs. The base consists of chickpeas and potatoes mixed with plenty of herbs.
Currants and cinnamon provide a unique sweetness to the dish. I find the flavor profile unexpected but very enjoyable.
14. Khorovats (Armenian Grilled Vegetable Salad)
I believe grilling vegetables is the superior way to prepare them. You grill bell peppers and eggplants whole for this salad recipe.
Once cooked, chop the veggies and toss them with olive oil and garlic. Even people who dislike salad usually enjoy this smoky dish.
15. Khashlama (Armenian Lamb Stew)
This is the national dish of Armenia and often appears at special celebrations. The stew is loaded with potatoes and other soft vegetables.
Bone-in lamb creates a rich broth as it cooks down. I love the addition of red wine and fresh herbs.
16. Armenian Nutmeg Cake
Nutmeg shows up frequently in Armenian sweets and it shines in this recipe. This cake is perfect for anyone who loves simple coffee cakes.
It features a crispy brown sugar crust and a soft interior. Walnuts provide a lovely texture to every bite.
17. Homemade Sujuk
You can try making this dry-cured sausage at home if you feel adventurous. The recipe uses raw beef mixed with various spices.
It cures until it becomes hard enough to eat without cooking. I think jerky fans will absolutely love this.
18. Harissa (Armenian Wheat and Chicken Porridge)
This porridge is typically served for dinner rather than breakfast. You cook chicken and wheat together until they break down into a smooth consistency.
It reminds me of a high-end comfort food. Top your bowl with browned butter for the best experience.
19. Armenian Grilled Potatoes
I love this recipe because it focuses on a specific cooking technique. You parboil the potatoes before finishing them on the grill.
Scoring the spuds and coating them in lard ensures maximum flavor absorption. Feel free to add any seasonings you prefer.
20. Armenian Semsek
You can basically describe this dish as a fried mini pizza. A spicy mixture of lamb and beef sits on top of the dough.
The meat is seasoned with Aleppo pepper for a kick. You fry the whole thing until it turns golden and crispy.
21. Dolma (Armenian Stuffed Grape Leaves)
This dish is popular across the Mediterranean and resembles Greek dolmades. The process is quite similar to making stuffed cabbage rolls.
You fill the leaves with a mix of ground beef and lamb. Rice and herbs are added before simmering everything in tomato sauce.
22. Matzoon Cookies
I guarantee that one batch of these cookies will not be enough. They have a wonderfully nutty sweetness and a pillow-soft texture.
The edges get slightly caramelized while baking. Yogurt is actually the secret star ingredient here.