“Baliq Qarma” dish registered as a geographical indication

The national dish “Baliq Qarma,” typical of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, has been officially registered as a geographical indication. The Ministry of Justice reported this.

Its registration as a geographical indication provides legal protection for the name “Baliq Qarma” and its traditional preparation method, strengthens quality standards, and expands opportunities to promote Karakalpakstan’s regional gastronomic brand.

The dish stands out for its unique cooking method, rooted in the ancient culinary traditions of areas near the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya delta, where fishing has long been a central part of daily life. “Baliq Qarma” consists of cooked fish, broth, small dried dough pieces measuring 1×1 to 2×2 cm, and vegetables. The fat skimmed from the surface of the broth is poured over finely chopped onions, giving the dish its distinctive aroma and flavor.

For reference, a geographical indication is an intellectual property object that denotes a product’s connection to a specific region, where its quality, reputation, or other characteristics are closely linked to the region’s natural, human, and historical factors.

It should be noted that earlier, dishes and products such as “Gijduvon Shashlik,” “Guzar Tandir Meat,” “Samarkand Bread,” “Khorezm Tukhumbarak,” “Andijan Doppi,” “Suqoq Samsa,” “Samarkand Pea Soup,” “Samarkand Paper,” and “Zomin Qozon Patir” were also registered by the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan as geographical indications.