Georgian food is arguably one of the world’s most underrated cuisines, featuring flavors from Greece and the Mediterranean, as well as influences from Turkey and Persia.

Georgian food is quite appropriately an expression of the culture. Warm, gooey comfort food like khachapuri (cheese-stuffed bread) finds balance with matsoni (yogurt). Herbs like tarragon, flat parsley, dill, and coriander combine with walnuts and garlic for rich fillings and sauces. Here are the top 7 dishes to taste in Georgia:

1. Khachapuri

Khachapuri is the most famous dish in Georgia. The pastry is traditionally topped with melted cheese, eggs and butter. There are different types of khachapuri but it is usually filled with Georgian Sulguni or Imeretian cheese. Three of the most common varieties include the Imeretian khachapuri, shaped into a circular form, Adjarian khachapuri, the open-faced version topped with butter and a raw egg on top and Megrelian Khachapuri shaped into a circular form and topped with melted cheese.

2. Shkmeruli

Shkmeruli (roast chicken in garlic sauce) is a very old Rachan dish, and it is one of the most popular dishes in Georgian restaurants. It has to be noted that the name derives from one of the villages in Racha region of Georgia, Shkmeri, which is said to be the place where this food has originated.

3. Khinkali

Georgian dumplings known as khinkali are considered to be one of the national dishes of the country. The dumplings are filled with meat and spices (mushrooms, potatoes, cheese can be used instead of meat), then traditionally twisted into a knot at the top. Regional differences influence the fillings and every part of Georgia has their distinctive variety. For example, in the mountainous regions, the most traditional filling is lamb.

4. Ostri

Another prime example of Georgian food is ostri. Ostri is a hot, spicy beef stew with garlic, parsley and coriander. Like most other dishes in Georgia, it’s served sans side dish, although some rice could have been lovely!

5. Khachapuri

Another dish you’re bound to hear about is khachapuri. And there’s a LOT of different khachapuris in Georgia. These cheese breads come in an array of shapes, sizes, doughs, and fillings. The most popular version is the adjarian khachapuri, which is shaped like a boat, stuffed with melted cheese and butter and topped with an egg.

6. Kharcho

Kharcho is a traditional Georgian soup with beef, rice, cherry plum purée and chopped walnuts. It’s usually topped with coriander like most other local dishes.

7. Elarji

Elarji is a specialty of the Georgian Samegrelo region (western Georgia), prepared as a thick porridge consisting of coarse cornmeal, cornflour, and sulguni cheese. The dish has an extremely thick texture, and it is very elastic. It is traditionally served hot and consumed with Georgian bazhe sauce, made with garlic, walnuts, and various spices.

8. Lobio

Lobio is a slow-cooked bean stew with onion and herbs. A very flavoursome dish served in a little clay pot. There’s the thin soupy kind and then there’s the thick and creamy, which is the best. This is a great dish for a starter or if you’re not that hungry.