Hazara Cuisine
What is Hazara Cuisine?
Hazara cuisine is the food tradition of the Hazara people, the third-largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, predominantly concentrated in the central highland region known as the Hazarajat. Hazara cooking is distinguished by its sophisticated use of dumplings, noodles, and slow-cooked legume dishes - a reflection of both the region's colder climate and its historically close cultural ties with the Persian and Mongolian cooking traditions.
The most celebrated contribution of Hazara cuisine to the broader Afghan table is the dumpling. Mantu - the steamed beef dumpling served with layered sauces and garlic yogurt - is closely associated with Hazara cooking and is considered by many food historians to be the dish that best defines Afghan cuisine to the outside world. Aushak, a leek-filled boiled dumpling served with ground beef sauce and mint yogurt, is another Hazara classic that has found a permanent place on the Afghan national menu.
Hazara Food at Naan Kabob
Mantu are the signature dumplings of the Naan Kabob menu. Aushak is a beloved Afghan classic you can explore in our full Afghan Cuisine Glossary. The mantu is made by hand, filled with halal ground beef and sautéed onions, steamed until silky, and served with split-pea sauce, ground beef sauce, and a cool garlic yogurt drizzle. The aushak is filled with leeks, boiled, and served on mint yogurt with ground beef sauce on top - a dish of striking simplicity and extraordinary depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Hazara people?
The Hazara are one of Afghanistan's major ethnic groups, making up roughly 10–20% of the population. They predominantly inhabit the Hazarajat region in central Afghanistan and have a distinct cultural identity, language (Hazaragi), and food tradition within the broader Afghan context.
What dishes are most associated with Hazara cuisine?
Mantu (steamed dumplings with layered sauces), aushak (leek dumplings on yogurt), and various noodle and legume dishes are the most recognisable Hazara contributions to Afghan cooking. The dumpling tradition in particular is closely identified with Hazara culinary culture.
Is Hazara cuisine available in Toronto?
Yes. Naan Kabob serves mantu - one of the most iconic Hazara dishes - at all locations across Toronto and the GTA.
See also: Afghan Cuisine , Mantu Aushak.
Try mantu - a Hazara classic - at any Naan Kabob location in Toronto and the GTA.
