Eka Jalagonia, founder of the traditional restaurant Megruli Sakhli, has voiced concerns about a cultural disconnect between Georgia’s culinary identity and the preferences of a growing segment of tourists from Asia. Speaking on the Women’s Narrative program aired on BMGTV, Jalagonia remarked that Asian tourists show little interest in experiencing authentic Georgian cuisine during their visits.
“While they do order from our Georgian menu, Asian guests always carry their own spices and seasonings, which they sprinkle over our dishes to match their taste. It’s clear that Georgian cuisine isn’t something they’re curious about,” said Jalagonia.
She emphasized that this trend reflects a broader shift in Georgia’s tourism landscape. According to her, the number of European tourists has significantly declined in the post-pandemic period, while the share of visitors from Asian countries, such as South Korea and China, has grown.
“We used to work with companies that brought tourists from Italy, Spain, France, and many other European countries. Today, those companies are mostly gone. Instead, we’re now hosting travelers from Asia, whose budgets tend to be much smaller than those of European guests,” Jalagonia explained.
She also noted that Mingrelian House continues to host a significant number of tourists from post-Soviet countries, including Kazakhstan and Ukraine. However, the restaurant maintains a strict policy when it comes to large tourist groups.
“We don’t work with all tourism companies and don’t host massive groups. The maximum we accept is 25–30 guests at a time,” she said. “I always leave the second part of the restaurant, no matter how empty it is, reserved for Georgian guests. That’s an unwritten rule I follow.”
Jalagonia’s comments highlight the cultural nuances and operational challenges faced by Georgian restaurateurs as the country’s tourist demographics shift in the wake of the pandemic.
