Ugolok Cafe Tashkent
Soviet style chicken restaurant
Chicken has never really been on the traditional Uzbek menu. With red meat like lamb and beef taking centre stage in Uzbek cuisine, there's never been a huge appetite for chicken here. Of course, you can pick at processed poultry at plenty of KFC branches, but who comes to Uzbekistan for that?
Enter Ugulok, a one-of-a-kind chicken restaurant and relic of the Soviet Union. An unpretentious dining hall with only one main meal on the menu, and that's half of a young roast chicken, more commonly known here as tsiplyata tabaka. Served with salad, bread, and a mildly spicy tomato juice, this is the meaty, greasy, bony experience I'd been yearning for. There are no chicken strips or twister wraps here. Just bone and breadcrumb littered tables wiped down by a small army of diligent Russian women in a busy cafe where free tables are as scarce as hen's teeth.
"This is a typical Soviet Union restaurant", my wife half-jokingly remarks. "Everybody is eating the same dish." As I glance around this oddly shaped room, I notice that every table appears the same, with the only distinction being the choice of beverages.
Only in this restaurant does it seem completely normal to see a young Muslim family enjoying Pepsi at one table while two older men engage in hushed conversation over a bottle of vodka at the neighboring one.
Tashkent is a city of contrasts, and this is certainly one of them.
About this spot
Find your way with 90 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Tashkent
Raj Kapoor Restaurant
Indian cuisine
"Raj Kapoor Restaurant" in Tashkent makes real Indian food! Even writing this article now, I'm already planning my next visit. I just can't resist it!
by
Aziza
Israilova
Mar Mar-Plov Samsa na Ivlieva
Authentic lunch
Humble "Mar Mar-Plov Samsa na Ivlieva" in Tashkent is my choice for grabbing a quick lunch. Their samsas combine crispy dough and delicious fillings!
by
Umida
Boltaeva
Te Samie Ponchiki
Those donuts
"Te Samie Ponchiki" in Tashkent means 'those donuts' in Russian. I can safely say these donuts are the best I've ever tasted. 'Those donuts' indeed...
by
Aziza
Israilova
Medion
Private medical clinic
"Medion" is a modern medical clinic in Tashkent that offers a range of medical services, including a spa and aesthetic services. I trust their staff a lot.
by
Aziza
Israilova
Mega Planet
First shopping mall
"Mega Planet" was Tashkent's first shopping mall. Many more have opened since then, but I still like to visit it because of all the memories...
by
Aziza
Israilova
Bukhara Cafe
Affordable and delicious
"Bukhara Cafe" in Tashkent makes food you would not normally find in the city in unique and very affordable variations! Try the tomato somsa...
by
Aziza
Israilova
Chigatoy Shashlik
National Uzbek food
"Chigatoy Shashlik" in Tashkent is a great place to sample the best of what Uzbek cuisine has to offer, although it's an ordinary cafe!
by
Farkhod
Israilov
Breadly
Breakfasts for all tastes
"Breadly" in Tashkent serves all-day breakfast and well-prepared coffee. I especially love the outdoor terrace. Just make sure to come relatively early!
by
Malika
Baratova
139 Documentary Center
Art as mediation
"139 Documentary Center" in Tashkent is in a former agricultural factory with photography and film exhibitions & community events. I love its laser focus!
by
Malika
Baratova
Cricket Federation
Cricket in Uzbekistan
I work as a PR and media manager in the "Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan." Come watch us play!
by
Aziza
Israilova
Khan Chapan
Everything is delicious here
"Khan Chapan" is a restaurant with some of the best locations in Tashkent! Whenever I go there, I usually order the Kazakh Besh Barmak - bring friends!
by
Aziza
Israilova
Heading to Tashkent?
90 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Tashkent?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 90 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Restaurants
Our team loves Tashkent
Get to know our other Spotters from Tashkent
As featured on:
