Hello, I’m Sugiura, the editor-in-chief of Ashu Travel, a travel agency specializing in Central Asia.
What image comes to mind when you hear the word “Kyrgyzstan”? Magnificent scenery surrounded by mountains? Or nomadic culture?
In fact, Kyrgyzstan has many amazingly delicious traditional dishes. Dishes using fresh lamb, sticky handmade noodles, and savory fried bread …… are all special dishes that will make you say “I’m glad I traveled! The dishes are so special that they will make you say, “I’m glad I made the trip!
In this issue, we will show you the full appeal of such Kyrgyz cuisine!
Characteristics and Attractiveness of Kyrgyz Cuisine
I am often asked, “What does Kyrgyz cuisine taste like? I am often asked, “What does Kyrgyz cuisine taste like?” In a word, it is “simple, rich, and delicious, filled with the wisdom of nature and people. I have been to many countries in my travels abroad, and I personally think that Kyrgyzstan is one of the countries with the best rice.
Meat, meat, and meat!
Lamb, beef, and horse meat are the stars of the show. It is as if you have wandered into a “meat theme park. Nutritious meat is a source of strength in Kyrgyzstan’s cold climate!
Fermented dairy products are a treasure trove of surprises
The menu includes a variety of dairy products that you cannot find in Japanese supermarkets, such as “Kumus,” horse milk wine, and “Kurt,” dried cheese. At first you may be surprised, but some people are surprisingly addicted to them.
Simple but profound cooking method
The basic cooking methods are boiling, grilling, and frying. But it is this simplicity that brings out the best flavor of the ingredients. There are many good restaurants, and Kyrgyz people are good at bringing out the potential of the ingredients!
Rich food culture
Basically, meat and dairy products are the main ingredients, but since this is a country with a thriving agricultural industry, fresh local vegetables and fruits of various kinds are used in abundance. It is also interesting to note the mix of influences from other countries, as it was a crossroads on the Silk Road and part of the Russian Empire.
8 recommended dishes to taste in Kyrgyzstan
In this issue, we will introduce eight foods from the Kyrgyz cuisine that you should especially try. If you find them in your travels, you must try them!
I want to eat with my fingers dirty [beşbalmak].
This dish is synonymous with Kyrgyz cuisine. The name means “five fingers,” and the original style is to eat it with your hands in a hearty manner. The lamb meat is cooked slowly and surprisingly tender, and when it is mixed with flat handmade noodles, you can’t stop eating it! The first time you try it, you will be surprised at how simple it is and why it tastes so good. You will be surprised at how simple it is and why it tastes so good.
[Shashilik] to eat outdoors.
Charcoal-grilled skewered meat, a true “meat lover’s paradise”! The meat is savory on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the marinade flavor with a hint of spice makes it even more flavorful. Locals enjoy drinking beer while grilling shashlik in the mountains. This is a bold outdoor meal that you should experience at least once while traveling.
Heartwarming Taste of Kyrgyzstan [Dundama]
Kyrgyzstan’s version of meat and potatoes. It is a home-style dish made with lamb, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, and cooked slowly. The key to this dish is the simple cooking method that only draws out the flavor of the ingredients, and is recommended to give you a warm Kyrgyz family taste. It is good like this.
Mochi Mochi Noodles are addictive [Lagman
Lagman can be called “Central Asian version of arranged udon. It is characterized by its sticky handmade noodles and a wide variety of ingredients such as meat and vegetables. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as yakiudon style or bukkake udon style. All types are delicious, and the unique texture of the noodles and the flavor of the ingredients that fills your mouth are addictive. You will surely think, “I want to bring this back to Japan! I am sure you will think, “I want to bring this back to Japan!
Appeared at the celebration [prof].
It is said to be the origin of the word “pilaf,” but if you think it is just cooked rice, you are mistaken. It is made with lamb, carrots, and plenty of spices, and the fat soaks into the rice, giving it a rich, full flavor. If you think of it as Japanese pilaf, you will be surprised, but you will be hooked.
Full of juices [Manti].
Manti, the Kyrgyz version of the small basket, is a juicy dish filled with lamb, beef, and vegetables. The juices overflow from every bite, and are irresistible. Drizzle yogurt sauce or spicy sauce over the top for a Kyrgyzstan-style experience.
Once you start eating, you can’t stop [Borsook].
The bite-sized fried bread “borsok” is a harmony of crunchy and chewy. The sight of a table full of this bread is a sight to behold! One of the charms of this dish is that you can dip it in honey or cream and enjoy it in any way you like.
Perfect for summer [Ashlan Fu
The dream collaboration of “cold noodles and spicy food” is Ashramphu! The perfect balance of sourness and spiciness makes it easy to eat even in the hot summer. Many tourists are so addicted to the spicy soup that they keep coming back for more.
Healthy and delicious Kyrgyz cuisine at Ashu Guesthouse
You can also enjoy delicious traditional Kyrgyz cuisine at the Ashu Guesthouse, where you can stay on our tours. Kyrgyz cuisine is delicious everywhere, but the charm of Ashu Guesthouse is that it is healthy. The menu is well-balanced, using plenty of fresh local vegetables.
Along with meat dishes, you can enjoy a meal with refreshing vegetable dishes and homemade jams, so you don’t have to worry about stomach upset. Refresh yourself with a meal that is kind to your body!
Take a trip to Kyrgyzstan to enjoy Kyrgyz cuisine!
Kyrgyz cuisine is an important point to enhance your trip. Time spent dining with local people under the beautiful mountains and starry sky will be a special memory that you cannot experience only by sightseeing. Kyrgyzstan is famous for its spectacular scenery, but we also recommend visiting Kyrgyzstan with the theme of “a trip to eat!
Recommended Tours by Ashu Travel
If you want to enjoy a culinary journey in Kyrgyzstan, a tour of both the countryside and the city is recommended. Ashtravel’s “Gorge Horseback Riding Trek to Lake Korkoglu Tented Tour” includes a visit to Ash Guesthouse, camping at the spectacular Lake Korkoglu, and a visit to the bazaar in the capital Bishkek, so you can enjoy different types of food.
Japanese-speaking guides will take you around, so be sure to ask them about recommended Kyrgyz cuisine and restaurants!
Click here for the official Instagram account, full of the charm of Central Asia!
Account name： @ashutravel_jp
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