Mantu, ashak, and the beloved aush noodle soup
Mantu are steamed dumplings filled with minced meat and plenty of onion, topped with tomato sauce and garlicky yogurt (often with split peas). Ashak are leek- and chive-filled dumplings, usually finished with spiced meat or lentils and a yogurt-mint drizzle. Traditionally reserved for gatherings, both reward patient folding with spectacular flavor. Aushβa hearty noodle soup with beans, herbs, and a tangy yogurt garnishβanchors cool-weather cooking and highlights dairy staples like quroot (dried yogurt). These dishes offer a comforting noodle pathway into Afghan flavors.