Kyrgyzstan Eating

Eating

As in any country, food is a multitiered product, with outstanding quality available at western style bistros and questionable quality food available at street corners. In general you do not go wrong if you eat "shashliks" (what westerners know as shish-kebabs) wherever you go. Quality feeding can cost a foreigner between ten and thirty dollars a day. There are no free rides here. It is advisable to invest in quality eating as one might find at the Navigator. Those with health concerns and vegetarian fixations may wish to either revise their habits or be prepared to risk purchasing fresh foods at the Osh Market. While outstanding vegetables are available here the risk of hepatitis remains a concern. Kyrgyz delicacies are based on lamb and these are truly astounding. "Monte" is a steamed dumpling filled with finely cut lamb (lower grade variants are filled with ground beef). Ashlam Fu is a noodle and meat based meal. Plov is a form of risotto. All are excellent and a must for travellers. Somewhat more exotic fare includes boiled sheeps head of which the eyes are considered a particular delicacy. Tradionally the Kyrgyz are a pastoral people so much of their food is based on meat and milk derivatives. There are no McDonalds or KFCs in Kyrgyzstan though some immitators are present. Very cheap vodka is available for $2 or $3 a 500ml bottle. We advise highly against such drinks as they may be the product of home stills ("samagonka") and of highly dubious quality. Stay with reputed brands. Cognac is actually quite good provided it comes from Armenia. Bottled water is widely available and beer is good to excellent. The Russian "Baltika" brand is reliable.