Halisa

“Super delectable halisa/haleem served here. Off-the-beaten path, but well worth the detour. The bread served to mop up the gloopy goodness is also top-notch. Don’t sleep on the jiz-umakay—the lamb was extra tender. Favorite gustatory experience in Samarkand”

“I ate halisa for the first time, and it was not bad. It was made from mutton, beef, and wheat, with an amazing texture. They also had kofta (meatballs) in soup. This was also my first experience eating it. Enjoyed the food”

“Great food. The texture of Halisa is unusual at the begining but taste very rich. Owner is also nice and friendly”

Dan QT★★★★★

Super delectable halisa/haleem served here. Off-the-beaten path, but well worth the detour. The bread served to mop up the gloopy goodness is also top-notch. Don’t sleep on the jiz-umakay—the lamb was extra tender. Favorite gustatory experience in Samarkand

Inayatullah Amini★★★★

I ate halisa for the first time, and it was not bad. It was made from mutton, beef, and wheat, with an amazing texture. They also had kofta (meatballs) in soup. This was also my first experience eating it. Enjoyed the food

Stephen Farley★★★★★

I stumbled across this place while wandering around away from the Registan into a neighborhood as the light faded. I saw the signboard advertising a food I had never heard of and walked in to see the giant vats of Xalisa - a Tajik meat porridge - cooking away in a little booth in the courtyard in front of the dining room. I talked with the chef about the cooking process - 24 hours of cooking wheat and meat and stirring and pounding constantly until it was just the right texture. He told me to come back in 20 minutes because it wasn’t perfect yet. I did, and it still wasn’t perfect so I sat in the dining room and sipped green tea and noshed on fresh homemade bread while waiting. When the texture was perfect I was served a plate of the final product with a mix of carrots and chestnuts on top When you put your fork in, you spin and tear it away like you would a glutinous bread dough. It’s is warm and comforting and tasty and filling and delicious and not greasy or gamey at all and costs a

Abigail Reeves★★★★★

After a meandering wander from Registan Square, with hunger and weariness setting in, Halisa emerged like an Oasis in the desert, a lantern in the dark. We selected the three available dishes on the menu. Moments later, the plates were set down. And a new world emerged. The xalisa was deliciously hearty, the jiz-umakay was deeply succulent, and the lola-kabob was life giving. My partner almost fell off his chair.

Süleyman GÜNAL★★★★★

Great food. The texture of Halisa is unusual at the begining but taste very rich. Owner is also nice and friendly

Avinash Moorthy★★★★★

Incredibly tasty xalisa at incredible price, friendly service, the bird in the restaurant is a nice touch

Pedro Girardi★★★★★

Fantastic local restaurant. Outstanding halisa and friendly, honest service.

Bakhtiyor Kuliev★★★★★

Highly recommended local food. Established years ago. Clean, tasty and budget.