Forget clam chowder, lobster rolls, and Boston baked beans. According to Condé Nast Traveler, Armenian food should be the celebrated cuisine in Massachusetts.
The publication recently released “50 States, 50 Cuisines: The Food Worth Traveling For in Every State,” a roundup which it first launched two years ago. Compiled by Condé Nast Traveler’s editors, the list highlights one cuisine in each of the 50 states, examining the state’s food histories, restaurants, and chefs that define its most travel-worthy food. This year, they encouraged traveling to Alaska for Russian cuisine, Delaware for Amish cuisine, New Jersey for Ghanaian cuisine — and in Massachusetts, they’re praising the state’s Armenian cuisine.
More specifically, Condé Nast’s Alex Erdekian highlights Watertown, writing that the Boston suburb is home to the third largest population of Armenians in America.
“Following the genocide after World War I (today, less than a third of Armenians worldwide live in Armenia), Armenians made this town their home,” Erdekian wrote. “With them, they brought a culinary tradition of unmatched mezze, plenty of mint and parsley, and kebabs on kebabs.”
The article called out Watertown’s Sevan Bakery, an Armenian and Middle Eastern food market in operation since 1984. The market offers tabouleh, stuffed eggplant, Armenian potato salad, halva, and more, though Erdekian says “don’t sleep on their freshly baked goods,” including boregs (phyllo pastries) and bogachas (savory hand pies). Anoush’ella, which has one location in the South End and another in the Fenway, was also referenced, with its flatbreads given a special shout-out.
Fantastic Armenian cuisine can also be found in places like Arax Market, Eastern Lamejun Bakers, and .