Samsa is Uzbekistan’s Tandoor-Baked Take on Sambousak

When we first heard about samsa, the Uzbek relative of Egyptian sambousak, we just knew we would have to try it ourselves. Samsa is even linguistically related to sambousak by name, but its culinary experience differs drastically.

At Nasr City’s famous Laziz bakery, samsas are made the traditional way — prepared early in the morning and oven-baked on the inner walls of a clay tandoor, with the total process taking two or more hours. Laziz in particular offers two kinds of fillings, chicken or beef with onion, but in Uzbekistan, choices stretch as far as lamb or pumpkin.

After the bakery owner walked us through Laziz’s process, we dug into the crispy pastry and were met by a savoury effect.

In Cairo's Nasr City, this Uzbek favourite has found a welcoming home.