Finger licking or foul? Uzbek restaurants serve sparrow meat

Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Adelina Mamedova

Uzbekistan’s media has been abuzz with an unusual gastronomic trend — dishes made from sparrows. A blogger filmed a video at a restaurant in the Bukhara region showing soup and kebabs prepared from the birds’ meat, even sharing the address. The post sparked a heated debate, dividing opinion between those who claim such meals are healthy and others who see it as nothing more than a marketing gimmick.

Since Aug. 15, the country has allowed the hunting of certain birds, including pigeons and sparrows, but only with licenses and in limited numbers. However, the rules do not justify large-scale killing to supply restaurant menus.

Notably, there is no such ancient tradition in Uzbekistan; instead, it appears to be a modern phenomenon linked to culinary hype. Sparrow meat is promoted as a delicacy, with mythical benefits attributed to it, such as boosting immunity or supporting men’s health.

Ecologists have raised concerns, noting that sparrows play a vital role in ecosystems and that large-scale killing for culinary experimentation could disrupt the balance. On top of that, scientists stress that the supposed «health benefits» are nothing more than myths.

However, Kursiv.media previously covered both the places in Kazakhstan where people can admire living birds and the species that particularly attract birdwatchers from around the world.