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Five Kazakh Dishes That Captivated Foreign Guests at the World Nomad Games
After the World Nomad Games in Astana, which celebrated national sports and the rich cultural heritage of the Great Steppe, foreign visitors left with glowing reviews. While the sporting events were impressive, it was the traditional Kazakh cuisine that truly captured their hearts.
Based on feedback from local tour operators, here are the five Kazakh dishes that stood out most to international guests at the Games:
- Kazakh-Style Meat (Beshbarmak)
The clear favorite was Kazakh-style meat, a traditional dish of boiled meat served with large rectangle-shaped noodles (jayma) and a flavorful broth. The meat is often a mix of lamb, beef, horse, and camel, with horse meat being a must for festive occasions. Enhanced with onions, herbs, and national delicacies like kazy (horse sausage), shuzhyk, zhal, and zhaya, this hearty dish impressed visitors with its juicy and rich flavors. - Bauyrsak
Second on the list is bauyrsak, a staple of the Kazakh dining table. These golden, fried dough balls, soft and airy, won over guests with their simple yet delightful taste. Popular across Kazakhstan, especially the crispy shi bauyrsak, many tourists even took some home as souvenirs. - Kymyz
Kymyz, a fermented drink made from mare’s milk, ranked third. Its sour taste and health benefits intrigued tourists, who saw it as more than just a beverage, but a glimpse into ancient nomadic traditions. - Kurt
Kurt, a salty snack made from dried cottage cheese, secured fourth place. Its unique flavor fascinated international guests, offering an authentic taste of Kazakh cuisine. - Shubat
Rounding out the top five is shubat, a thick, creamy drink made from fermented camel milk. Especially popular in Kazakhstan’s western and southern regions, where camel herding is a cultural tradition, shubat left a strong impression on visitors.
“Kazakh cuisine is not just food, it is a cultural bridge connecting the past with the present. Gastronomic tours are becoming an important part of tourists’ visits to Kazakhstan,” said Aizhan Zholdasbekova, representative of the Tourism Industry Committee under the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of Kazakhstan.
These traditional dishes not only offered a taste of Kazakh hospitality but also strengthened the cultural connection between Kazakhstan and its foreign guests.
