Kazakhstan food is a reflection of the country's unique ethnic and religious composition. Beer, vodka, brandy and sparkling wines are available in many restaurants.
National specialties: • Kazi and
chuzhuk, horsemeat sausages.
• Kaurdak, mutton stew.
• Sheep's head.
• Besbarmak, made from horse meat or mutton and dough.
• Shashlyk, skewered chunks of mutton barbecued over charcoal.
• Lepeshka (round unleavened bread) are often sold on street corners and make an appetizing meal.
• Plov is made up of scraps
of mutton, shredded yellow turnip and rice, and is a staple dish in all the Central Asian republics.
• Manty (boiled noodle sacks of meat and vegetables).
• Samsa (samosas).
• Chiburekki (deep-fried dough cakes) are all popular as snacks.
• Almaty is renowned for its apples – indeed the city was named after them.
National drinks: • Kazakh tea or
chai is very popular and there are national cafes called
Chai-Khana (tea-rooms) where visitors may sip this Kazakh specialty. It is drunk very strong with cream.
•
Kumis, fermented mare’s milk. Cafes where this can be ordered are called
Kumis-Khana. Refusing it when offered may cause offence.
• In the steppe and desert regions where camels are bred, the camel’s milk, called
shubat, is offered to guests.
Tipping: This is not customary at restaurants and cafes, but is increasingly common in international hotels. A service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills. There is also a fixed charge in taxi and railway transport.
NightlifeThere are a number of nightclubs and casinos in Almaty and several other cities. Many restaurants play music after 2000. Kazakhstan’s most reknowned concert halls and theaters are all located in Almaty.
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