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🇺🇿 Uzbekistan /Culture & Society

Uzbek grocery chain becomes a New York landmark

From Gazeta.uz · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Tashkent Supermarket has grown from a single store into a five-location chain across New York City over the past decade.
  • The Brighton Beach location is particularly popular, drawing shoppers with traditional Uzbek dishes like plov and manty.
  • The stores aim to bring Uzbek hospitality and culinary traditions to New York, offering affordable, authentic meals.

What began as a single storefront on Coney Island Avenue has blossomed into a beloved New York institution. Tashkent Supermarket, a chain of five Uzbek grocery stores, has become a culinary landmark, particularly its vibrant location in Brighton Beach, often dubbed "Little Tashkent."

In Uzbekistan, we welcome our guests with plov, take them to the bazaar for fresh produce, show them ancient cities, and share traditions shaped by thousands of years of history.

— Uzbek traditionThe article invokes Uzbek traditions of hospitality to explain the ethos behind Tashkent Supermarket.

Over the past ten years, the supermarket has cultivated a loyal following, attracting thousands of shoppers with its authentic Uzbek offerings. The Brighton Beach store, situated at a bustling intersection beneath elevated train tracks, serves as a central hub. Manager Fazliddin Asrorqulov notes the strategic location, designed for easy access for New Yorkers who often rely on public transit and have limited time for home cooking.

It's why our country is so often called hospitable and warm. We take pride in helping visitors feel at home.

— Uzbek traditionThis quote further emphasizes the cultural values the supermarket aims to embody.

"In New York, many people don’t cook at home. There is no time for it. Everyone is busy. They come in, take what they need, and leave," Asrorqulov explains. This convenience, combined with the store's commitment to traditional Uzbek recipes, has made it a go-to spot for flavorful dishes like plov, manty, and freshly baked bread.

In New York, one of the world’s most demanding cities, Tashkent Supermarket has been serving customers for over a decade.

— Article textThis highlights the achievement of the supermarket in a competitive urban environment.

The chain's success reflects a broader effort to share Uzbekistan's rich culinary heritage and renowned hospitality with a global audience. Asrorqulov highlights the Uzbek tradition of welcoming guests with plov and sharing ancient traditions, a spirit that has been successfully transplanted to the demanding New York City environment. The stores pride themselves on making visitors feel at home, offering full meals for a modest $10–15, a testament to their dedication to affordability and authenticity.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly praised the manty here, and actress Sarah Jessica Parker expressed her excitement over the opening of the fifth location in Manhattan.

— Article textNotable public figures have recognized the supermarket's success and offerings.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Gazeta.uz in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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