Pairing Dimlama correctly — a note on Sarbast lager

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Dimlama. I ordered it with Sarbast lager and the deeply savoury from lamb fat elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. cumin in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Uzbek cuisine sits at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road trade routes. The a Samarkand chaikhana teahouse is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Dimlama with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.