For the best manti (dumplings), I highly recommend Mantikhana PMK – it’s right across from the Kolkhozny Market. M. Ashrafiy koʻchasi, 4

For plov, you can check out The Plov, Choy Palov, Chinor, Ismoil Gulrux, and Andara establishments.Below is a photo from The Plov restaurant.

I read somewhere that when traveling by bus between Tashkent and Khujand, you need to walk about a kilometer between border checkpoints. Is this true?

I wasn’t referring to the village of Duisti, but the Duisti border checkpoint—it’s the same as the one you mentioned. No special permits were required...

Taking the “Afrosiyob” train is 100 times more pleasant and twice as fast. Just make sure to book tickets in advance—they sell out quickly.