The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Kyrgyz Foods. If you manage to be in an Kyrgyz restaurant or you are visiting Kyrgyzstan, I recommend the following:
1. Dimlama
This is an Uzbek stew made with various combinations of meat, potatoes, onions, vegetables and sometimes fruit. The meat (lamb or beef) and vegetables are cut into large chunks and layered in a hermetically sealed pot to cook in their own juices. In addition to potatoes and onions, Dimlama vegetables include carrots, cabbage, aubergines, tomatoes, peppers seasoned with garlic and various herbs and spices. It is usually prepared in spring and summer, when vegetables are more diverse.
2. Laghman
This typical Kyrgyz dish can also be found in other parts of Central Asia where they settled in the 19th century. There is a great variety of Laghman, but the essential part of the dish is the noodles. These are mixed with meat (any kind) and whatever vegetables the cook basically thinks best at the time. This can come in the form of a soup with a meat and vegetable broth or fried noodles (Boso Laghman). Whichever way it is served it is really delicious.
3. Shashlik
This dish can be found with the whole repertoire of Kyrgyz meats; be it chicken, beef or lamb, the latter is said to be the most incredible and delicious of all. The spiced meat comes chopped and skewered on a skewer that is grilled over wood or charcoal and tastes simply exquisite. This dish is accompanied by an indispensable element: bread. The well-known naan or lepyoshka, which you can find in a variety of shapes and flavors.
4. Beshbarmak
Beshbarmak, a dish of lamb stewed in broth mixed with noodles and onions, is popular in Turkish village kitchens. Translated from Turkish (consisting of ‘besh’ and ‘barmak’), beshbarmak means ‘five fingers’ and may be related to the nomads who eat beshbarmak without using cutlery. At mealtimes, it is customary to hand out the best cuts of meat to neighbors or distinguished guests. The best thing about beshbarmak is its homemade taste and nutritional value.
5. Samsa
This is a nutritious Uzbek delicacy that is prepared for a party or every day in the oven. Actually, samsas are baked puff pastry balls with various fillings, with a unique oriental aroma and taste. Samsa can come in many different types and shapes, and there are many recipes and cooking methods. It is prepared from meat (lamb, chicken, beef), vegetables (pumpkin, potatoes, onions), as well as mushrooms, eggs, peas, herbs and even a sweet filling.
6. Kuurdak
Kurdak is a traditional meat dish from Central Asia, especially Kyrgyzstan. Described as ‘braised pork’, the dish is usually prepared with lamb, fat and onions. But it can also be made from veal or any other type except pork. In Kazakh cuisine, kuurdak is prepared with lamb liver, kidneys, heart and lungs.
7. Oromo
Oromo is a layered steamed rolled dough filled with a variety of fillings, the most commonly used being pumpkin. The warm, comforting and hearty main dish is the perfect meal to order with a hot cup of tea after a cold day. Oromo people are most often associated with the peoples of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Tatarstan. Unlike many other Central Asian dishes, such as plov, manti and laghman, Oromo has failed to gain a following in Russia and Eastern Europe.
8. Manti
You probably already know them as they are traditional in many parts of the world, especially in Asia, but they often go under a different name. Basically, manti are a kind of dumpling filled with meat, cabbage, potato or pumpkin. They are really delicious and make a most delicious appetizer, ideal for sharing and to accompany a main dish.
9. Horse Meat
In Kyrgyzstan they eat a sausage made from ground horse meat mixed with various spices: garlic, cumin, salt, paprika… called sucuk. Like all sausages, the mixture is stuffed into casings and dried for several weeks. The meat is horsemeat, but in several other countries, from the Balkans to Central Asia to the Middle East, it is eaten as beef or veal; or pork in non-Muslim countries.
10. Ashlan Fu
Ashlan soup is a bomb in your mouth, bursting with a tangy, spicy and fresh mix that will warm you up at any time. It is one of those dishes that you either love or hate. But it’s certainly a typical Kyrgyz food, ideal for after a long trek, or, indeed, anytime. It’s a plateful of thick, slimy rice noodles mixed with thin wheat noodles dipped in a cold chili soup, meat, eggs and vegetables.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.