A huge cast-iron cauldron, rice, yellow carrots, and beef simmering for over three hours. At Plov Samsa, in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement, the house specialty takes time to prepare. It’s called plov, a traditional Central Asian dish found particularly in Uzbekistan, where its preparation plays an important role in celebrations and family gatherings.
Behind this spot on Rue Tiquetonne is an enthusiast who wanted to introduce Parisians to a cuisine that remains relatively unknown in the capital. The restaurant doesn’t seek to pile on Asian influences. Its menu centers on a few popular Central Asian recipes, prepared on-site with fresh ingredients.
Plov cooked in a traditional kazan and handmade samsas
Plov, priced at €15, is obviously the main reason to come here: rice slowly cooked in a kazan—a traditional cauldron imported from Uzbekistan—with beef, carrots, onions, chickpeas, and cumin. A few raisins and barberry berries add a slightly tart and sweet touch.
The samsas are also worth a closer look. These triangular pastries, sold for €4 each, are made with homemade flour-based dough. Inside, you’ll find thinly sliced beef, onions, and spices. The restaurant also offers manty—large, stuffed, steamed dumplings—served with a white sauce.
To sample several specialties, a set menu for two was offered for 52€. Those with a sweet tooth can finish with a medovik, a honey cake made of thin layers of sponge cake and cream.
Location: Plov Samsa, 22 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris.