Gasthaus & Bierhaus, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Leibspeise was more than pleased to read in their Lonely Planet Guidebook that there is a German Gasthaus in Tashkent. So on their last day in the ‘Stans’ they went on another mission to find German food.

Gasthaus looks like a ‘Fachwerkhaus’ from the outside, quite inviting. Yet, Leibspeise had to pass a bouncer and a “face, bag and dress code control”. That’s something new.

Once inside, we were surrounded by the stereotypical Bavarian decor and nicknack. Waiters were dressed in fake Lederhosen (velvet instead of leather), waitresses wore “appropriate” dirndls (sorry guys, no cleavage).

Foodwise, Leibspeise was faced with a Russian menu only. Basic translations from one staff member was needed, so assumptions are based on what Leispeise saw on other guest’s plates. Leibspeise thinks that Gasthaus offers the typical German menu: schnitzel, sauerkraut, pork knuckle, sausages, etc. Leibspeise sampled a ‘German soup’ which tasted like an Uzbek schorpa and a Schnitzel, which was o.k, nicely presented but a bit soggy. So foodwise, Gasthaus could do with some authentic German cooking lessons, but Leibspeise really liked Gasthaus’ beer. They offer ‘Helles’, ‘Dunkles’, ‘Weizen’, which was delicious.

On their way to their hostel, Leibspeise stumbled across another German labelled restaurant: Bierhaus. Besides the offer of another ‘Helles’ and ‘Dunkles’ which was less tasty than the Gasthaus brew, the menu did have some interesting ideas about German food. Leibspeise found “German Things: toast with tomato and cheese” or ” Stewed Munich cabbage” or “German salad: chicken, mushrooms, pai, cumcumber”.

So what did Leibspeise learn? Even in Uzbekistan, (rich) people go for ‘Bavarian atmosphere’ and German style food. Leibspeise’s verdict is that both venues would benefit from some serious development aid in regards to real German food and cooking though.

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