Uzbek Souvenirs

Traveling to Uzbekistan is an incredible experience, filled with oriental splendor, rich culture, and vibrant traditions. One of the highlights of your trip will be the chance to buy souvenirs that are as unique and colorful as Uzbekistan itself.

Here’s a guide to some of the most popular Uzbek souvenirs.

Clothes and Fabrics

Uzbekistan is renowned for its high-quality silk and cotton fabrics, most of which are handcrafted. Popular Uzbek fabrics include satin, adras, bekasam, and shoyi, all adorned with traditional patterns. Uzbek clothing not only showcases the richness of local culture but also adds a unique element to modern fashion. National Uzbek chapanes, lightweight robes, and scarves with bright geometric designs are among the most sought-after souvenirs. You can find these items in both bazaars and stores featuring local designers.

Uzbek Food

Spices

Uzbekistan is famous for its variety of spices that give dishes unique flavors, attracting food lovers from around the world. Aromatic cumin, ground pepper, coriander, saffron, sesame, basil, cinnamon, bay leaf, barberry, and raisins create the irresistible taste of Uzbek cuisine. These spices can be purchased individually or in sets at any food market in Uzbekistan.

Dried Fruits and Nuts

For centuries, Uzbeks have dried fruits to preserve vitamins and nutrients. Dried melons, apricots, raisins, prunes, figs, and apples are popular with both tourists and locals. Dried fruits are enjoyed in winter and used to make compotes. Nuts and candied fruits are also popular Uzbek souvenirs, including mountain almonds, Bukhara salted apricot pits, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, and candied apples, cherries, apricots, and quince.

Uzbek Sweets

National Uzbek sweets are a delight for those who love unique flavors. One of the most popular treats is halva, made from flour, milk, sugar, and nuts, with many different types, recipes, and flavors. Kokand and Samarkand halva are particularly famous. Other sweet souvenirs include navat (crystal sugar), pashmak (thin strands of cotton candy), khashtak (dried fruits stuffed with walnuts, often covered in chocolate), nuts in sugar, parvarda (national candy in the form of pads), and more. If you visit in the spring, don’t miss the delicious sumalyak, a sweet dish made from sprouted wheat.

Uzbek Flatbreads

Uzbek traditional bread is a category of gastronomic delight on its own. There are large and small flatbreads, puffed and flaky, filled and unfilled, each region boasting its own specialties. The most famous flatbread is Samarkand patyr, while bread from the Fergana Valley (shirmoya-non and katlama) is also highly valued. Don’t forget to bring back Karakalpak flatbreads Zagara-non and red piyozli-patyr.

Wood and Metal Products

Jewelry

Uzbek jewelers handcraft stunning jewelry, with techniques and secrets passed down through generations. Rings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces inspired by traditional Uzbek designs are true works of art. Each region has its own unique style. For instance, Bukhara earrings often feature “legs” with varying numbers. Other artisans incorporate traditional amulets called bodom and tumor (tumar). Many pieces are adorned with polished, not cut, precious and semi-precious stones. Bring home a piece of Uzbekistan from places like Bukhara, Urgut, and beyond.

Copper Chasing

Copper items with intricate chasing are another traditional Uzbek souvenir. Handmade patterns feature geometric shapes, floral designs, and traditional motifs. Every tiny detail is meticulously crafted, giving each piece character and individuality. Copper lagans, trays, vases, jugs, and scissors make beautiful home decorations.

Embroidery and Gold Embroidery

Uzbek embroidery is known for its sophistication and uniqueness. It adorns clothes, tablecloths, suzani, and other textiles. Masters may spend months on a single piece, making hand embroidery highly valuable and expensive. While embroidery is practiced throughout Uzbekistan, the Bukhara, Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Fergana, Tashkent, and Kashkadarya schools are especially esteemed. Popular embroidered items among tourists include skullcaps, phone cases, bags, prayer mats, shawls, and tablecloths.

Uzbek clothes embroidered with gold and silver threads are often worn for weddings and national celebrations and given to guests of Uzbekistan. This type of embroidery is considered special due to its intricate technique. The gold embroidery from Bukhara is particularly cherished.

Uzbek Ceramics

Traditional Uzbek ceramics are among the most popular souvenirs. Painted teapots, bowls, lyagan dishes, plates, vases, and more are taken home by both tourists and locals. The works of Uzbek potters are valued worldwide. Keep in mind, even in a single set, you won't find two identical bowls as each is hand-painted. The most famous school of ceramics is Rishtan, known for its bright blue glaze, with techniques passed down through generations. Ceramics from Samarkand, Urgut, Gijduvan, Bukhara, and Khorezm are also highly prized.

Wood Carving

Uzbek craftsmen create breathtaking wood carvings, including caskets, amulets, business card holders, chests, book stands, candlesticks, canes, musical instruments, jewelry boxes, tables, chairs, and doors. Inspired by nature and traditional Uzbek motifs, each handmade wood item is unique. Khorezm wood carvings are particularly prized, along with pieces from Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, and Kokand.

Miniature Paintings

Uzbek miniature painting is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Initially created to illustrate books, these miniatures now adorn clothes, dishes, carpets, and more. These small, finely detailed pictures often depict classic scenes, such as illustrations of famous oriental poets' works, festivals, battles, hunting scenes, and traditional patterns. They beautifully reflect Uzbekistan's cultural roots.

Carpets

Uzbekistan is known for its carpets. The art of carpet weaving has existed here for centuries, with both silk and wool carpets being highly valued. Hand-woven carpets are the most expensive and sought-after. Samarkand is famous for its silk carpets, while Khiva and Bukhara are known for their wool carpets. Excellent handmade carpets can also be found in Karakalpakstan, Surkhandarya, Urgut, and Kokand. If you can’t take a large carpet home, consider buying small souvenir items like mats, bags, or laptop and phone cases.

Handmade Knives

Uzbek craftsmen create high-quality knives featuring traditional decorative elements. The handles and blades are often adorned with patterns and engravings, showcasing local traditions and blacksmithing art. These knives are fully functional, although many people purchase them as decorations or collectibles. The most popular knives, known as pichaks or pichoks, come from Chust in the Fergana region. Skilled knife makers also come from Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Shakhrikhan. You can buy knives for various purposes, including souvenirs, camping, or kitchen use.

Tubeteikas

Uzbek national skullcaps, or tyubeteikas, are not only part of the traditional costume but also a significant part of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage. Men, women, and even children wear these headdresses. Men’s skullcaps are usually black and white, while women’s are brightly colored, embroidered, and decorated. Each region of Uzbekistan has its own distinctive style, and experts can identify the origin of a tubeteika at a glance. You can find the most interesting tybeteikas in Tashkent, the Fergana Valley, Samarkand, Bukhara, Surkhandarya, Khorezm, and Karakalpakstan.

Samarkand Paper

Samarkand paper making is a unique art form in Uzbekistan, dating back to the 8th century. The production method was lost for centuries but was revived in the 1990s. This handmade paper is crafted from the bark of mulberry trees and is of the highest quality. You can buy not only the paper itself but also notebooks, bags, dresses, and even paper dolls made from this special material.

Uzbek Wine

Be sure to take some local wine home from your trip to Uzbekistan. Winemaking in this region dates back to ancient times. Today, many grape varieties are grown, producing excellent wines that have won awards at international exhibitions. Sample wines by Bagizagan, Château Hamkor, Uzumfermer, MSA Family Winery.

In every corner of the country, you'll find unique Uzbek souvenirs that are characteristic of the region. Happy exploring and souvenir hunting!