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).
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.
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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