🇰🇿 Almaty’s "Food Desert"? Think Again—Here’s What to Eat!

Sticking to my rule of skipping Chinese food abroad, I dived into Kazakh specialties over five days in Almaty. Spoiler: It’s far from a culinary wasteland 🌍! 1.1️⃣Shashlychok Na Pastera·Almaty This super popular spot is famous for massive grilled skewers—and it’s the only place I visited twice! The grilled portobello mushrooms are life-changing 🍄—easily the best way I’ve ever eaten them. All other skewers are tasty too, with unbeatable value (~¥40+ per person). A must-stop! 1.2️⃣Master Doner A local fast-food gem. Their claim to fame? Doner—Kazakhstan’s signature grilled meat wrap 🥙. Beyond wraps, there’s a range of flavored grilled meats. Pro move: Kazakh-style grilled meat is dipped in yogurt with stringy cheese sticks—surprisingly delicious, don’t skip it! 1.3️⃣Tagam A community cafeteria we stumbled on by chance. It has staples, desserts, and drinks, but all dishes are cold, and the value is just okay. Still, it’s fun to soak up local life here—blending in with regulars feels like a mini adventure 🏘️! 1.4️⃣Restaurant Venezia Another skewer spot, but here they’re pre-sliced and plated. The grilled mushrooms are just as amazing, and the grilled chicken stays juicy inside 🍗. It’s a bit pricier than the first skewer joint, but still solid. 1.5️⃣Green Bazaar More than just a photo hotspot—grab a bite at the stalls! I tried pilaf and milk tea on the second floor. Kazakh pilaf uses long-grain rice (maybe with extra spices) and tastes different from Xinjiang’s version. The milk tea? Initially tasted like dishwater, but the rich flavor emerges at the bottom—give it a chance ☕! 1.6️⃣Jelly This café is a bit out of the way, but Vlad (my local guide) took me there. It’s packed with local hotties sipping afternoon tea and nibbling light bites like pizza. Their caramel latte was fantastic ☕, and Vlad’s favorite cheese cake? Delicious—sadly, I don’t think we have this in China. Fun fact: Foreigners here steep tea bags just until the water colors, then yank them out—so quick! 😂 #AlmatyEats #KazakhstanFoodie #CentralAsiaTravel #OffTheBeatenPathEats #AlmatyGuide