Khachapuri
Photo: Rorschach11 · CC BY-SA 2.0

History

Khachapuri is a Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread. The Adjarian version is boat-shaped, with cheese, butter and an egg yolk in the center, said to represent a boat, the sea and the sun. Toné Café in Brighton Beach is named for its circular clay oven, where it bakes molten adjaruli khachapuri and other breads, and Ubani's Bay Ridge menu has the famous cheese boat alongside its khinkali.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs

Make it at home

Yield Makes 2 large boats; serves 2 to 4Hands-on 40 minTotal 2 hr 30 minDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 500 g flour
  • 220 ml warm water
  • 100 g plain yogurt
  • 7 g yeast
  • 10 g sugar
  • 10 g salt
  • 30 g oil
  • 420 g grated mozzarella
  • 220 g crumbled feta
  • 40 g ricotta (optional)
  • 1 whole egg
  • 30 g softened butter
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 30 g butter for finishing (15 g per boat)

Method

  1. Whisk the warm water, sugar and yeast and let stand 5 minutes. Add the yogurt and oil, then the flour and salt, and mix to a shaggy dough.
  2. Knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, then proof in an oiled bowl 60 to 75 minutes until doubled.
  3. Mix the mozzarella, feta, optional ricotta, whole egg and softened butter and chill the filling while the dough rises.
  4. Heat the oven to 482 F (250 C) with a steel, stone or heavy tray inside for at least 35 minutes.
  5. Divide the dough in two, roll each to a 32 by 20 cm oval, spread half the filling down the center leaving a 3 to 4 cm border, roll the long edges in, and pinch the ends into points.
  6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until deep golden and bubbling.
  7. Make a well in the center of each boat, add one yolk and 15 g butter, wait 20 to 30 seconds, and serve.

Tip from the editors. Taste the feta first; if it is very salty, use 180 g and more mozzarella so the filling does not turn harsh.

Where to eat khachapuri

Khachapuri in Brooklyn

Toné Café ★ 4.2

$$ GeorgianBrighton Beach

Toné Café is a Georgian restaurant and bakery on Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, baking its adjaruli khachapuri in a traditional clay oven.

Why locals goA Georgian restaurant on Neptune Avenue that bakes adjaruli khachapuri in a clay oven, with a bakery next door selling pastries and cakes to go.

TipSit down for the peppery khinkali, and order the adjaruli khachapuri. Open daily 09:00 to 23:00.

Directions

Ubani ★ 4.0

$$ GeorgianBay Ridge

Ubani is a Georgian restaurant on 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with a cheese boat, brothy khinkali and a backyard with picnic tables and couches.

OrderThe Georgian salad with creamy walnut dressing, plus khinkali and the cheese boat.

TipA second Ubani operates in Manhattan, so check the address. The Bay Ridge branch is open daily from 11:00 to 21:15.

Directions

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More places near Toné Café and Ubani

Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.

More cities are in research. Want khachapuri covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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