oshxona

Oshxona is the kitchen, the room or building where meals are prepared in Uzbek households and in Central Asian contexts. The word derives from osh, a dish or pilaf, and xona, meaning room. In traditional Uzbek housing, the oshxona is often a separate space or annex connected to the main house to accommodate cooking, ventilation, and, in some cases, social activity around food. In urban homes, kitchens are typically integrated into living spaces, while in rural or traditional settings, there may be a more distinct outdoor or semi-outdoor cooking area.

A common feature of the oshxona is the use of traditional cooking vessels and setups. The kazan, a large, wide pot, is frequently used for preparing plov, a signature Uzbek rice dish. Meat (often lamb or beef), onions, carrots, and oil are cooked together before rice is added. Some kitchens also include a tandir, a clay oven used for bread and various dishes. The oshxona functions as a social hub where family members participate in cooking and hospitality.

In modern Uzbekistan, the term oshxona applies to both private domestic kitchens and commercial kitchens in restaurants and cafes. While urban changes influence layout and equipment, the concept remains tied to meal preparation and hospitality, with plov continuing to play a central role in traditional cooking and social life. See also plov, kazan, tandir.