What to Eat in Kyrgyzstan: Typical Kyrgyz Food and Specialties | Page 2 of 2
Kyrgyz Beer
The history of Kyrgyz brewing dates back to the early 20th century, when the most prominent brewery producing the Arpa brand was established. This Soviet-style pale beer is popular more for nostalgia, with a simpler flavor profile. The second major local brand is Zhivoe beer. As a beer lover, I tasted both in Kyrgyzstan - Zhivoe pleasantly surprised me with its flavor, while Arpa was more of a disappointment for me.
Kyrgyz Cognac
Kyrgyz cognac is a brandy made from wine distillate, produced in Bishkek by the Kyrgyz Konyagy plant, the successor to the Soviet Shampanvinkombinat. The stars on the label give away its age, and it's sold at three, five and seven years old. Meanwhile, a trade war is being fought over the name itself - nobody is allowed to register the words Kyrgyz cognac as a trademark.
Osh Bazaar: The Market in the Heart of Bishkek
Osh Bazaar is one of the biggest and cheapest markets in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. This Soviet complex from the 1980s, named after the southern Osh Region, is the pantry of Kyrgyz cuisine: kazy horse sausages, sacks of kurut, pots of kumys, bread stamped with its baker's mark and spice blends for plov. And by the soda machine, an attendant still sits with a little pile of coins.
Orto Say Bazaar: A Market in Southern Bishkek
Orto Say Bazaar is the largest market in southern Bishkek and a favorite with locals that most tourists never reach. Several markets operate side by side here under one name: fresh fruit, meat, dairy and pickled vegetables, plus clothing and household goods. Between the stalls, manty steam away, boorsok sizzles in hot oil, and a bakery right on the grounds sells hot tandyr nan flatbreads.
Ak Emir Bazaar: A Small Market in Central Bishkek
Ak Emir Bazaar is a small food market in central Bishkek, a few blocks from the GUM department store. Compared with the city's big bazaars, it's tiny and easy to navigate: the counters hold seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs, ready-made salads, smoked chickens and fish, and dried fruit and nuts. Among locals, it has a reputation as the most expensive market in the Kyrgyz capital - you pay extra for convenience and location.
Kvass: A Traditional Fermented Drink Made From Rye Bread
Kvas is a traditional fermented drink popular in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It has a slightly sour taste, with a distinct rye bread flavor. The history of this low-alcohol beverage dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was considered beneficial to health due to the vitamins and probiotics produced during fermentation. In the hot summer months, kvas is often sold on the streets in Kyrgyzstan.