Local dishes of Astana: what to try from Kazakh cuisine

Contents

• What to try
• Gastronomic souvenir
• Practical tips
• FAQ

What to try

Beshbarmak

The main dish of Kazakh cuisine: boiled meat (horse, lamb, or beef), thinly rolled noodles, and rich broth — sorpa. The name translates as "five fingers" — traditionally the dish is eaten by hand. You can try classic beshbarmak at the JUZ restaurant, which serves versions with different types of meat, or at the "Eternal Sky" on the top floor of the Moskva Business Centre.

Kazy and kuirdak

Kazy is homemade horse sausage, served as a cold appetiser or as part of beshbarmak. Kuirdak is a hot dish of fried offal and meat with onions, often with potatoes.

Baursaks

Small fluffy balls of yeast dough, deep-fried. Served with tea as bread or as a standalone snack with honey or sour cream.

Kumiss and shubat

Kumiss is a fermented drink made from mare's milk, shubat from camel's milk. Both have a light sourness and a distinctive taste that may surprise an unaccustomed guest — try a small portion before ordering a full glass.

Sorpa and other soups

Sorpa is a rich meat broth, often served separately or as part of beshbarmak. In cold weather it is a popular warming lunch option — the steppe winter in Astana makes hot soup a particularly fitting choice.

Gastronomic souvenir

The most popular edible souvenirs from Astana are kazy and smoked fat tail (sold vacuum-packed at markets and speciality shops), baursaks and Kazakh sweets, as well as locally produced herbal tea. Before buying meat products, check the import rules for your destination country — they vary.

Practical tips

• Kazakh cuisine restaurants are not confined to the tourist centre — look for local cafés where food is home-style and often cheaper.
• Beshbarmak is usually prepared for at least two people — keep this in mind if ordering for one.
• If you are unsure about unfamiliar flavours (kumiss, horse meat), start with a small portion or a tasting combo if available.

FAQ

What is a must-try in Astana?
Beshbarmak is the hallmark of Kazakh cuisine and should be your first choice.

What is beshbarmak made of?
Boiled meat, thinly rolled noodles and broth; the meat can be horse, lamb or beef.

What is kumiss?
A fermented drink made from mare's milk with a characteristic sour taste.

Where can I try Kazakh cuisine with a modern twist?
For example, at the Sattj restaurant, which combines Kazakh dishes with European and Japanese cuisine.

Can I bring kazy home?
Yes, it is sold vacuum-packed, but check the import rules for meat products in your destination country.