Lovely Mantu

Afghanistan, located at the heart of the ancient Silk Road trading routes, has been influenced by the food cultures of the Far East, India, Persia, and the Mediterranean. Mantu, with their wonton wrappers, spiced meat filling, and seasoned yogurt sauce, deliciously demonstrate how different food cultures can beautifully combine into heavenly dishes.

Records of mantu date back at least to the Turkic and Mongol horsemen of Central Asia, who are said to have carried frozen mantu with them during cold winter journeys and boiled them in pots over campfires for a tasty and warming meal. Today, mantu are extremely popular throughout Afghanistan. The savory little dumplings are often served for celebrations, but can also be found at many markets and street vendors.