HOUSTON – As Houston prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world for the Uzbekistan vs. Portugal World Cup match on June 23, one local restaurant is using food to introduce Houstonians and international visitors to the culture of Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
Foreign Grill, a family-owned restaurant at POST Houston, serves up traditional Uzbek dishes like samsa and plov as well as authentic Georgian and Eastern European dishes.
Co-owner Irina Mamataliyev founded the restaurant in 2023 with her husband, Beck Mamataliyev, a native of Andijan, Uzbekistan.
In the video above, Irina and her daughter, Sabina, share how to make one of Uzbekistan’s most popular street foods: samsa. Samsa is made with savory beef filling, onions and seasoning wrapped in dough, brushed with egg wash, topped with sesame seeds, and baked until golden brown. See the complete recipe below to recreate a version of your own at home.
Samsa carries deep cultural significance throughout Uzbekistan. Traditionally baked in clay ovens known as tandyrs, the pastry is a symbol of hospitality and home cooking and is commonly shared among family and friends.
Uzbek cuisine has been highly popular during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ season and the restaurant keeps selling out. If you like to try a dish from their menu, arrive early and use code UZBEK2026 to get 10% off any Plov or Samasa order. This deal is valid in-store only from now until July 2026.
Follow Foreign Grill for more delicious, regional cuisine from Uzbekistan at instagram.com/foreigngrill.
Traditional Uzbek Samsa Recipe
- Pre-made dough circles
- Brisket
- Ribeye
- Onions
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Black Pepper
- Red Pepper
- Salt
- Egg Wash
- Sesame Seeds
Directions
- Combine brisket, ribeye, onions, and traditional Uzbek seasonings.
- Place filling into the center of the dough.
- Fold and seal into the traditional samsa shape.
- Brush with egg wash.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake until golden brown.