Adjarian Khachapuri in Tbilisi
At Vakhtanguri, Adjarian khachapuri is baked as a boat of dough filled with cheese and topped with an egg yolk and butter. The restaurant is in Avlabari, at 4 Lagodekhi Street, a two-minute walk from Avlabari metro station.
Adjarian khachapuri costs 29 GEL on the menu. It is best eaten hot, while the cheese is still molten and the yolk has not yet set.
- Price
- 29 GEL
- Served
- With egg
- Address
- 4 Lagodekhi St, Avlabari
- Opening hours
- Daily, 11:00-02:00
What Adjarian khachapuri is
Adjarian khachapuri is one of the most distinctive dishes of Georgian cuisine and today a gastronomic symbol of Batumi and the whole of Adjara. Unlike the Imeretian or Megrelian types, it is not closed: the dough is shaped like a boat, its edges folded up, the cheese filling sits inside, and an egg yolk and a piece of butter are placed on top.
The dish is linked to the Laz people, who lived by fishing and seafaring on the Black Sea coast. According to the popular explanation, the boat of dough reflects this way of life, the cheese stands for the sea, and the yolk in the middle recalls the sun setting over the water. The piece of butter is added as a sign of abundance and hospitality.
Dough, cheese, egg and butter
The dough is made from flour, yeast, milk or water and salt, and it is shaped so that the filling cannot leak out while baking. In the traditional recipe the filling is a blend of Imeretian cheese and sulguni: the first is soft and slightly sour, the second stretches and adds richness.
The yolk and butter go on the baked khachapuri. Since the cheese and egg are at their best only while hot, the dish should be eaten as soon as it reaches the table.
How to eat it
First stir the yolk, butter and hot cheese together with a fork or with a torn piece of crust. Then tear off the edges of the boat by hand and use them to scoop up the filling. The crust is part of the dish, so a knife is not really needed.
Khachapuri at Vakhtanguri
Vakhtanguri opened in Avlabari in 1993 as a small, buffet-style family eatery. The menu has changed over the years, but the foundation of Georgian dishes has stayed the same.
The restaurant’s history is told in “Vakhtanguri - A Story That Begins in 1993”.
The principal dishes of Vakhtanguri are chebureki and khinkali.
Photos
Adjarian khachapuri at the Vakhtanguri table.
Location
Vakhtanguri is at 4 Lagodekhi Street in Avlabari, a two-minute walk from Avlabari metro station and about ten minutes on foot from Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba).
Practical information
- Address
- 4 Lagodekhi St, Avlabari, Tbilisi
- Opening hours
- Daily, 11:00-02:00
- Phone
- +995 574 804 804
Frequently asked questions
For any other question, call +995 574 804 804.
How much does Adjarian khachapuri cost at Vakhtanguri?
Adjarian khachapuri with egg costs 29 GEL.
Why is Adjarian khachapuri boat-shaped?
The dish is linked to the Laz people, who lived by fishing on the Black Sea coast. According to the popular explanation, the boat of dough reflects this way of life, and the yolk in the cheese recalls the sun setting over the sea.
What is Adjarian khachapuri made of?
The dough is made from flour, yeast, milk or water and salt. The traditional filling is a blend of Imeretian cheese and sulguni, and an egg yolk and butter are placed on the baked khachapuri.
How is Adjarian khachapuri eaten?
Hot. First stir the yolk, butter and cheese together, then tear off the edges of the crust by hand and use them to scoop up the filling.
Where is the restaurant and when is it open?
Vakhtanguri is at 4 Lagodekhi Street in Avlabari, a two-minute walk from Avlabari metro station. It is open every day from 11:00 to 02:00.
Adjarian khachapuri in Avlabari
Vakhtanguri is open every day from 11:00 to 02:00. Tables can be booked online or by phone.