Jengyalov Hac Yerevan – Jungle bread

On Teryan Street, right before reaching the Moskovyan intersection, there is a small rustic restaurant that is named after the only item it serves – Jengyalov Hac. A specialty from the Republic of Artsakh (alternatively known as the Republic of Nagarno-Karabakh), jengyalov hac is a delicious treat for carnivores and vegetarians alike. The dish is composed of mainly fresh greens – typically local mountain greens – and wrapped in a thin, yet filing, flat bread. Then it is baked or pressed like a panini. Coincidentally or not, the ingredients used in preparing the dish likely leads to its name: "hac" meaning bread in Armenian, and "jengyal" likely meaning jungle in Farsi. 

Although it is generally advised to only eat this dish in Artsakh, Jengyalov Hac on Teryan is a fantastic place for those wishing to try this local treat. The portions are fairly large, but don’t worry, jengyalov hac is pretty healthy. Customers can wash down this earthy treat with one of various drinks – tan (a chilled yogurt drink), matsnaprtosh/okroshka (a chilled yogurt drink with dill and cucumbers, and my personal favorite), local wine and mineral water, among others. (Note: For those who don't like oil, just tell the waitress to refrain from adding). 

The restaurant is open everyday of the week from 10:00 to 22:00. Jengyalov Hac also has another location on 36 Komitas Avenue.

So, explore your wild side and give jungle bread a shot.