Kazakhstan was not on the radar of most tourists till a few years back. Today, more than 8 million tourists visit this country, thanks to its stunning landscapes. Apart from the picturesque beauty of the country, its vibrant cities also have a special appeal to tourists, especially Almaty. The city of Almaty is known for its history, architecture, and its gorgeous beauty. But another reason people are attracted to this city is its food. The food scene here comprises the traditional Kazakh cuisine along with fusion foods, born due to globalization. Here is the Almaty food guide for all the food lovers visiting this city of Kazakhstan.
Traditional Kazakh Dishes
The traditional cuisine of Kazakh is influenced by the Nomadic life of the locals in the past. The locals reared camels, horses, and sheep, and hence the meat and milk of these animals make up a major part of their cuisine. The cooking methods were simple like boiling, salting, and drying, to make the food long-lasting. Today, you can easily find fusion foods and international cuisines in Almaty, but the traditional Kazakh foods are still supreme.
Beshbarmak
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Beshbarmak is the ultimate traditional dish of Kazakh and takes you back to the Nomadic life of the people here. It is a simple yet flavorful dish with boiled meat (lamb or beef) as its main ingredient. The base of the dish consists of flat noodles or pasta, and it is served with a delicious onion broth to enhance its flavors. Beshbarmak is so popular that no festival or celebration is complete without it. It literally translates into “five fingers” as traditionally, it is eaten with hands.
Lagman
Although Lagman is a traditional Kazakh dish, its roots can be traced to the Turkish ethnic group, Uyghur. It is a noodle-based dish that makes use of hand-pulled noodles served with stir-fried beef or lamb. An assortment of vegetables is also included in the dish, mostly carrots, onions, bell peppers, and Chinese cabbage. A whole lot of spices and herbs add flavor to the dish. Lagman is a dish that can be eaten as a dry stir-fry or a soup.
Kazy
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Another dish that is an integral part of the Kazakhhstan food culture is Kazy. Kazy is a horsemeat dish, which is usually served as an appetizer or as a part of a meat platter. Kazy is made with minced horsemeat seasoned with spices and stuffed into casings. It is then boiled or air-dried and served after cutting into thin slices. The already intense flavor of the dish is enhanced when it is eaten with bread and pickles.
Plov or Pilaf
Known by different names, Pilaf or Plov is a common dish in almost all countries in Central Asia. A rice-based dish, the Kazakh version of the dish is made of meat, onions, and an array of vegetables. These are cooked with the help of aromatic spices that add to its flavor. Almost all of the best restaurants in Almaty serve pilaf. Also, it is one of the main dishes of festivals and celebrations.
Street Foods of Kazakh
While there is no dearth of restaurants serving traditional dishes in Almaty, you must visit the local markets that serve traditional foods. Almost all street markets in the city have food courts and food stalls where you can try the delicious local delicacies. Here are some of the Kazakh cuisine must-try dishes.
Manti
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Another popular dish that you can enjoy in Almaty is Manti. It is a Kazakh version of steamed dumplings and consists of meat, onions, and spices. Once steamed, they are served with sour cream or even just a splash of vinegar. If you do not prefer beef or lamb, you can also get the vegetarian version of the Manti, which is made of stuffed potatoes.
Samsa
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Samsa is a puff-pastry, perfect for snacking. It is a deep-fried, savory dish that comes with a delicious filling of spiced meat and onions. You may also find Samsa made with pumpkins or potatoes. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Samsa is considered the ultimate Almaty street food by the locals.
Shashlik
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Also known as a kebab, Shashlik is skewered meat marinated with yogurt and spices and cooked in an open flame. In Almaty, you will find Shashlik made of chicken, beef, and lamb. While it can be eaten as it is, you can also pair it with flatbreads and tangy sauces if you want.
Kurt
Kurt is another traditional Kazakh food that can be had as a snack. It is actually a type of cheese that is made with fermented milk. Salty in taste, the cheese is shaped into balls and hardened in the sun. This dish, which is rich in calcium and vitamin D, can be consumed on its own or eaten with other dishes.
Sweet Foods of Kazakh
Sweets or desserts are an important part of Kazakh cuisine, especially for festivals and other celebrations. You will find Kazakh traditional sweets in most restaurants, street food markets, sweet shops, and bakeries.
Baursak
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A subtle sweet snack, Baursak Kazakh bread is one of the most important desserts, which also acts as a teatime snack. It is like a donut although it has a square shape. Made of flour, milk, and eggs, the fluffy dough is first deep-fried until golden brown and then coated with honey or sugar.
Shak-Shak
Another popular sweet dish of Kazakh is Shak-Shak. Small pieces of dough are first deep-fried in oil and then coated with honey to make a sticky mass. This is then topped with nuts and raisins. This dessert is usually served during weddings.
Zhent
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Zhent is a dessert made with crushed cottage cheese. Ingredients like sugar, millet, raisins, and butter are added to the cottage cheese. It is another popular dessert made for special occasions in Kazakh.
Balkaymak
This is a sweet dish that usually accompanies Baursak. It can be called stewed cream, as it is made by simmering milk on low heat. After this, honey and flour are added gradually to form a mass that is light brown in color.
Popular Drinks in Kazakh
This food list cannot be completed without including drinks. Moreover, you will find plenty of Kazakh traditional drinks in Almaty. Here are some of the drinks you must try when in the city.
Shyrchay
An integral part of every household in Kazakh, Shyrchay is black tea with a Kazakh twist. Apart from tea leaves, this drink is made with milk, butter, flour, salt, and fried tail fat.
Shubat
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Shubat is another unique beverage of Kazakhhstan made with camel’s milk. It is made by fermenting camel’s milk, which gives it a slight tartness. Moreover, Shubat is known for its numerous health benefits.
Kumis
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Kumis is a fermented drink made with mare’s milk. The taste of the milk is tangy, and the drink is usually an acquired taste. It is a probiotic drink and has lots of health benefits. Kumis is usually drank while eating Kazakh meat dishes.
Kefir
Kefir is also a fermented beverage made of milk, water, or kefir grains. It looks like yogurt and has a lot of good bacteria and probiotics. While it can be consumed on its own, Kefir is also taken by adding it to breakfast cereals.
Where to Eat in Almaty?
If you are looking for the best places to eat in Almaty, you will be spoilt for choices. If you want to have an authentic experience, ask for recommendations from locals, and they will direct you to the best places. Here are some of the restaurants you should try in Almaty.
Navat Restaurant
Navat Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Almaty that serves traditional Kazakh food for tourists. The menu also includes popular dishes of Central Asian cuisines.
Tarkhun Restaurant
This is where you can enjoy both traditional Kazakh dishes along with some fusion foods. The menu includes popular Kazakh dishes as well as Georgian fusion food.
Gosti
Gosti is a restaurant where you can enjoy European dishes with a Russian influence. The fact that the restaurant resides inside a Russian-style mansion adds to its charm.
Baursak City
The menu of this restaurant includes all the dishes that reflect the Nomadic past of Kazakhstan. The decor and ambience of the place makes it perfect for enjoying a family meal.
Alasha
Alasha is another option for authentic Kazakh cuisine. Apart from the food, every aspect of the restaurant, right from the decor to the uniform of the staff, has a touch of tradition.
Almaty promises you a fantastic gourmet experience. So, what are you waiting for? Book one of the best Almaty tour packages and get ready to enjoy the city along with the food that the city offers.
