Popular Food in Kazakhstan: 12 Famous Dishes Travelers Notice First

The most popular food in Kazakhstan is still rooted in nomadic life: meat, dough, broth, dairy, and tea. The dishes travelers encounter first are usually beshbarmak, kazy, plov, baursaki, manty, and lagman — foods that are filling, practical, and central to hospitality across the country.

12 Popular Foods in Kazakhstan

1. Beshbarmak

Kazakhstan’s best-known national dish: boiled meat over flat noodles with onion sauce and broth.

2. Kazy

Horse meat sausage served at celebrations and feasts.

3. Baursaki

Small fried dough pieces served with tea at nearly every family gathering.

4. Plov

Rice pilaf with meat and carrots, common across Central Asia and especially popular in southern Kazakhstan.

5. Manty

Large steamed dumplings filled with meat and onion.

6. Lagman

Noodle soup with meat and vegetables, especially common in Almaty and among Dungan communities.

7. Samsa

Baked pastries filled with meat and onion, sold in bakeries and at street stalls.

8. Sorpa

Rich meat broth served before or with larger meals.

9. Kurt

Salty dried cheese balls sold in bazaars and roadside stops.

10. Kumis

Fermented mare’s milk, one of the most distinctive traditional drinks in Kazakhstan.

11. Shelpek

Thin fried flatbread often served at tea tables and remembrance gatherings.

12. Shuzhuk

Another traditional sausage made from horse meat and fat.

Which Foods Are Most Common for Travelers?

Food	Where You Will See It
Beshbarmak	Traditional restaurants, family meals
Baursaki	Tea tables, markets, celebrations
Plov	Cafeterias, canteens, southern cities
Samsa	Street stalls, bakeries
Lagman	Casual restaurants in Almaty and Shymkent
Kazy	Festive meals, bazaars, traditional restaurants

Why Kazakh Food Feels Different

Kazakh cuisine often surprises travelers because it is less spicy than other Asian cuisines and more centered on broth, meat, and bread. It also reflects a steppe lifestyle where food had to travel well and feed large groups.

If you want recipes and a deeper breakdown, go to our full guide on Kazakhstan food and traditional dishes.

Where to Try Popular Food in Kazakhstan

The easiest places for travelers to explore Kazakh food are:

• Almaty — widest restaurant range, Green Bazaar, modern and traditional options
• Shymkent — strong southern and Uzbek influence
• Astana — good modern Kazakh restaurants in the capital
• Turkistan — traditional food in a pilgrimage and Silk Road setting

For food-focused travel planning, combine this guide with our article on places to visit in Kazakhstan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular food in Kazakhstan?

Beshbarmak is the most widely recognized and culturally important dish in Kazakhstan, followed closely by kazy, baursaki, and plov.

What food should tourists try in Kazakhstan first?

Most tourists should try beshbarmak, baursaki, plov, manty, and kazy first. These dishes provide the clearest introduction to Kazakh food culture.

Is horse meat common in Kazakhstan?

Yes. Horse meat is a respected and traditional part of Kazakh cuisine, especially in dishes like kazy and shuzhuk.

What drink is popular in Kazakhstan?

Black tea with milk is the most common everyday drink, while kumis and shubat are traditional fermented dairy drinks.

Where can I try traditional food in Kazakhstan?

Almaty is the easiest place for first-time visitors, especially the Green Bazaar and traditional restaurants serving beshbarmak, kazy, and baursaki.