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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Dilnoza

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

USD
$34-$64 per person

Traditional Uzbek cooking in Tashkent in a local home

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Dilnoza

Dilnoza loves to cook and share her Uzbek culinary knowledge with travelers. A doctor by profession, Dilnoza is passionate about cooking and always finds time to travel and cook. As is traditional in Uzbekistan, Dilnoza learned to cook from her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law after she got married. She is delighted to share her home cooking with travelers, especially her version of “palov”, the Uzbek national dish of meat, rice and vegetables delicately spiced with caraway. Dilnoza lives with her family in a traditional house located near White Mosque in Tashkent.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-10 guests) Meet your host Dilnoza at her home. When you arrive, you will be greeted with and participate in a ceremonial handwashing tradition. Dilnoza welcomes you into her home where you will enjoy a welcome drink of green or black tea and Uzbek snacks like dried fruit compote and slices of kazi, a traditional smoked meat snack or kurt, cheese. Next, gather around a traditional Uzbeki dining table, located low to the ground. Your traditional meal includes bread, a salad of tomato, cucumber, onion and basil in a lemon dressing and a main of palov, a traditional Uzbek dish of slow-cooked meat, rice, vegetables and spices. Your meal will conclude with a local sweet like halva, pashmak (candy floss) or kazinaki. On days that her husband and children are home, they will join you for your meal.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) Join your host Dilnoza at small home kitchen to learn to cook an authentic home-cooked Uzbek meal from recipes that have been passed down through generations of Dilnoza's family. Your Tashkent cooking class involves learning to make a traditional salad and the main “palov” from scratch and will last about 2 hours. Palov is a heartwarming rice dish made with slow-cooked meat, vegetables and exotic spices like saffron and caraway, that is traditionally simmered in a cast-iron pot called kazan over an open flame. Each family prepares palov, the signature dish at every festival or wedding, according to their own family recipe. Learn how to prepare a traditional Uzbek meal before you sit down at the table to share the meal you helped prepare with your host Dilnoza.

Notes: Since Dilnoza works during the week she only offers experiences on weekend evenings.

Languages spoken: English, Russian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Uzbeki snacks of cheese and meat
  • Traditional salad of tomato, cucumber and onion in a lemon dressing
  • Bread
  • Palov (traditional dish of meat, rice and vegetables)
  • Dessert like halva or pashmak
  • Tea or coffee
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

I had a great time with Dilnoza. I was taught how to cook dishes of Uzbekistan. We ate together and drank wonderful local drinks, and then I was treated to delicious coffee. Dilnoza spoke about the interesting places that can be seen in Tashkent. I really enjoyed being a guest in her home. Her house is very nice and comfortable, in a quiet location not far from the city center. It is very easy to get here by taxi, because a taxi is not expensive. The atmosphere was friendly, with many smiles and laughter. I highly recommend an experience with Dilnoza!

Elena, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
Dilnoza and her family were such wonderful hosts! We had such an interesting and wonderfull evening. We learned a lot about the country of Uzbekistan, the culture, religion and much more. The food was amazing - by far the best plov in all of Uzbekistan! Thank you for everything, I wish I will see you all again :D
- Doktor April 26, 2023
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Dilnoza

$34-$64 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 1-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $40 $34
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $56 $48
Alcohol
 $16 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 1-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $40 $34
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $56 $48
Alcohol
 $16 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Dilnoza

Dilnoza loves to cook and share her Uzbek culinary knowledge with travelers. A doctor by profession, Dilnoza is passionate about cooking and always finds time to travel and cook. As is traditional in Uzbekistan, Dilnoza learned to cook from her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law after she got married. She is delighted to share her home cooking with travelers, especially her version of “palov”, the Uzbek national dish of meat, rice and vegetables delicately spiced with caraway. Dilnoza lives with her family in a traditional house located near White Mosque in Tashkent.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-10 guests) Meet your host Dilnoza at her home. When you arrive, you will be greeted with and participate in a ceremonial handwashing tradition. Dilnoza welcomes you into her home where you will enjoy a welcome drink of green or black tea and Uzbek snacks like dried fruit compote and slices of kazi, a traditional smoked meat snack or kurt, cheese. Next, gather around a traditional Uzbeki dining table, located low to the ground. Your traditional meal includes bread, a salad of tomato, cucumber, onion and basil in a lemon dressing and a main of palov, a traditional Uzbek dish of slow-cooked meat, rice, vegetables and spices. Your meal will conclude with a local sweet like halva, pashmak (candy floss) or kazinaki. On days that her husband and children are home, they will join you for your meal.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) Join your host Dilnoza at small home kitchen to learn to cook an authentic home-cooked Uzbek meal from recipes that have been passed down through generations of Dilnoza's family. Your Tashkent cooking class involves learning to make a traditional salad and the main “palov” from scratch and will last about 2 hours. Palov is a heartwarming rice dish made with slow-cooked meat, vegetables and exotic spices like saffron and caraway, that is traditionally simmered in a cast-iron pot called kazan over an open flame. Each family prepares palov, the signature dish at every festival or wedding, according to their own family recipe. Learn how to prepare a traditional Uzbek meal before you sit down at the table to share the meal you helped prepare with your host Dilnoza.

Notes: Since Dilnoza works during the week she only offers experiences on weekend evenings.

Languages spoken: English, Russian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Uzbeki snacks of cheese and meat
  • Traditional salad of tomato, cucumber and onion in a lemon dressing
  • Bread
  • Palov (traditional dish of meat, rice and vegetables)
  • Dessert like halva or pashmak
  • Tea or coffee
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

I had a great time with Dilnoza. I was taught how to cook dishes of Uzbekistan. We ate together and drank wonderful local drinks, and then I was treated to delicious coffee. Dilnoza spoke about the interesting places that can be seen in Tashkent. I really enjoyed being a guest in her home. Her house is very nice and comfortable, in a quiet location not far from the city center. It is very easy to get here by taxi, because a taxi is not expensive. The atmosphere was friendly, with many smiles and laughter. I highly recommend an experience with Dilnoza!

Elena, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
Dilnoza and her family were such wonderful hosts! We had such an interesting and wonderfull evening. We learned a lot about the country of Uzbekistan, the culture, religion and much more. The food was amazing - by far the best plov in all of Uzbekistan! Thank you for everything, I wish I will see you all again :D
- Doktor April 26, 2023
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 1-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $40 $34
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $56 $48
Alcohol
 $16 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 1-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $40 $34
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $56 $48
Alcohol
 $16 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 5:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.