I am a 22yo female having a 10 day trip in Kazakhstan. So far I have tried some local food, and feel like sharing here.

Beshbarmak (horse)

I ate at Navat. I like it being flavourful without too much seasoning. Noodles underneath remind me of wonton, very comforting, especially at my first night arriving Almaty

Beef manty (fried)

Not so sure if it’s authentic, I ate at Lanzhou noodles. But I quite like it, thin skin with finely chopped meat that is unlike many minced meat one I had ate

Then I went to Yurta at my last night in Almaty. I ate lamb samsa (they sold out of camel meat one) A nice little starter.

For main dish I ordered syrne, a good balance between lean meat, fat and tendon. And I must say that Kazakhstan is good at bringing out the flavour of the meat but not cover it with too much sauce and spices. I like their desert too.

Then I arrived at Astana today. I felt a bit sick, haven’t seen much yet. But feeling a bit unproductive, I decided to get some Kazakhstan local food in supermarket and call it a day.

First up I need to brew some tea, Piala gold tastes just about right, not too strong not too bland, a bit like PG tips in UK (I live in UK)

Then I ate some chocolate, and found out that I might have get the wrong brand, this one is Bayan Sulu, I think I need to get the Rakhat one. This one tastes just fine.

Time for sth more challenging, qurt. Sorry I need to say that it is a bit too challenging for me. But this is a very new experience. I didn’t get it in green bazaar because I am afraid that smaller portion is unavailable. I am also extremely introverted to ask about it.

After that I had some tah, to be honest I can’t find too much information on this one. Is this really a Kazakhstan thing? I was expecting sth like Milkis, but my first mouthful of it completely changed this thought. There was zero sweetness, even had a bit of underlying saltiness.

But it started to get addictive, the desire to analyse what it taste like force me to drink more. Like a thinner salty lassi with bubble, the most surprising finding of the day.

I also tasted a bit Shubat, I am intolerable to alcohol so just a little, it may not be accurate. It tasted like liquid qurt, but it won’t spread in the mouth and melt so it went more smooth.

Will be staying at Astana and Shemkent each for three nights. I would also like to try pilaf, any other food I need to try or restaurant recommendations?

And nah, I don’t just eat, except some regular tourist spot I went to see each Almaty metro station and got super impressed. Unfortunately there isn’t any show in Abai Theatre this few days, but the museum and architecture itself is beautiful enough for me to go there.

Enjoying my time here so far

Привет, я из Латвии, И как мне кажется у нашс есть чтото общее, хотя бы то что когдато мы были в одной стране, и у нас некоторые фрагменты истории схожи, но сейчас я вижу очень мало контактов и взаимодействия между нашими странами. Мне стало интересно понять Казахстан лучше, и узнать какими вы видети нас, Балтийцев. Что вы о нас знаете?

I am a Commanche from America. I have always found.Kazakh people very interesting. whether it be your music or you history, overall your culture is wonderful. But given my personal background and the similarities of a history of being warriors,horse archers, nomads,and being colonized.

How do you view the Comanche people ?

Ассаламу алейкум братья, вещает парнишка из РФ 30 y.o (у нас это ещё молодежью считается).

Хочу узнать про Казахстан больше! Зачем: в последнее время совпадало так, что по жизни мне попадались энергичные и приятные ребята вашей нации, в медиапространстве ваши таланты мелькают и впечатляют, спортсмены могучие, ну и конечно же мне ПРИЯТНО то, как казахи разговаривают. Отвечаю: то, как вы говорите на русском гораздо приятнее моему слуху чем то, как русские на нем говорят, лол.

Хочу лучше понять менталитет, мб статьи какие-то посмотреть, видео нишевые, которые познакомят с культурой и повседневностью, т.к у меня могло создаться стереотипизированное представление.

Откуда стереотипы: я смотрел из банального интервью с селебами из Казахстана + фильм рэкетир в 15 лет ахаха, + общался с боксерами + сосед казах был. И на основании этого у меня создалось ощущение, что ваш народ радушный, когда ты сам нормальный перец, а если выебываешься - то по ебалу схлопотал можно, т.к у вас все боксом занимаются. Также есть представление, что у вас традиции хорошо сохранились, семья - в центре всегда, патриархат, отсюда и топ в плане демографии. Экономический бум - потому что у вас правительство поадекватнее нашего долбоеба. Но и про национализм слышал-видел, но видел я его только в 23 году, когда до русских, которые не хотели воевать, доебывались на видео

В общем, я пришел, выложил всё как есть. Welcome общаться. Развейте или подтвердите моё представление о Казахстане и народе, который его населяет. Мир

Салам алейкум. Увидел пост про жизнь разных народов в Казахстане, но реддит не дал коммент оставить, поэтому решил целый пост сварганить.

Армянин. Родился и вырос в Петропавловске. Люблю свой город, хоть и умирает постепенно.

После школы большинство одноклассников уехало в Россию учиться, сам уехал в Армению в мед уник поступать. Но не могу прижиться к армянскому менталитету и климату страны (в какой-то степени жалею, что не остался в Казахстане и не попытался где-то в Астане поступить).

Очень рад, что родился в Казахстане. Из тысяч школьных конфликтов ни разу не было на почве национальности (несмотря на то, что учился в классе с азербайджанцами — это ещё и в разгар Карабахского конфликта было) турками, русскими, казахами, татарами, таджиками и т.д.), из-за чего научился судить всех людей по отдельности, не обращая внимания на нацию. Моими лучшими друзьями почти всегда были казахи, и каждый раз, когда я слышу от каких-нибудь имбицилов какие-то мерзости про мусульман, хочется прибить ебанатов.

Как город, Петрик откровенно говоря был ни о чём (обычный скучный маленький городок). Но зато улицы не были захламлены мусором, и воздух был чистый. После зимы слякоть, конечно, просто ужас, но этот сибирский климат придавал неописуемый зимний вайб (особенно в новый год). Скучаю по родному городу пиздец как, хоть и делать там нехуй.

Также очень жалею что не выучил Казахский язык. Я всегда считал что учительницы каз яз меня не долюбливали, и этим оправдывался. Но на самом деле виновато было моё отношение к языку (ради правды - даже мои друзья казахи не знали и не хотели учить язык). Хотелось бы извиниться перед преподами если получится когда-нибудь.

Сам Казахстан - весьма коррупционная страна. И слишком бедная (экономически) и мало населенная для своих размеров и ресурсов. Про несчастный тенге я вообще промолчу. Но несмотря на это, я верю в огромный потенциал Казахстана и надеюсь что она сможет достигнуть его (хоть и жалоб на тупые законы, прищемления народа и рост национализма становится всё больше и больше от знакомых).

Про то что СКО - это Россия, бред. Да русский язык преобладает, да русских много, бывает говорят что если Россия захотела бы забрать силой эти территории, то проблем бы не было. Но это всё чисто обычные размышления людей которые видят агрессию Российского империализма и строят теории, кто может быть следующей жертвой. Сепаратизм и похожую пропаганду я видел только в интернете. Уверен, большинству людей и в помине не надо никакого присоединения к рашке.

Так что в итоге то?

Итог - Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world.

Hey, it seems like Kazakh people are taking over the US, every now and then I'm seeing some crazy Kazakh gatherings, you guys bring your culture and keep it instead of hiding it like other cultures do, so I'm just wondering if there are most popular idk influencers, business people, or someone you consider successful

I know it is an unpopular opinion in this subreddit and that is why I think it's important for me to post it, so that there is a representation it. While I understand the frustrations regarding modern geopolitics and the actions of the Russian government, I’m becoming concerned by how quickly this is turning into a broader radicalization against ordinary Russian people, culture, and language. Please remember that majority of russian population share the same frustration about their oligarchic exploitative government.

Russian culture is deeply connected to our history whether we like it or not. Many Kazakhs grew up reading Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, listening to Russian music, studying in Russian, having Russian friends, neighbors, coworkers, even family members. That does not erase our Kazakh identity. I believe we as a nation and I personally greatly benefited from this cultural exchange.

Chokan Valikhanov and Fyodor Dostoevsky. They were intellectual equals who deeply respected one another’s cultures. Dostoevsky once wrote to Valikhanov saying he loved him more than his own brother. This kind of mutual respect helped shape the early Kazakh intelligentsia.

Our nations were united in wars throughout centuries, most notably during WW2 our grand fathers and great grandfathers were brothers at arms. Fighting against a common foe that deemed both of our nations sub human. I don't know what world would we live in or if we even existed in a world of red army didn't stop nazis.

Soviet period is complicated and it had terrible mistakes, true. But those consequences were shared across all nations. And benefits were also shared across all nations. Cities were built. Child mortality dropped tenfold. Education, healthcare, science, industrialization, infrastructure was build in Kazakhstan with the combined effort of all soviet people. And I respect the work that was put there and decisions that benefited me.

Our governments. Russian and Kazakh benefit from this nationalist division. It distracts the general population of the true division. Working class and oligarchs who control the 99% of the riches of the respective countries. Of course there are radical minorities in both countries, but let them stay minorities. Don't fall for that age old divide and conquer trick. In this entire globe, there are few nations are as close as former soviet nations, let's keep it this way.

We live in a free democratic country supposedly. Let people decide what language they speak, what culture to choose freely.

Ordinary people, working people of all nations actually are not enemies to us. Just people. Don't misdirect your anger that was caused by select few politicians to broad population, collective punishment is what nazis did. Don't act like nazi.

I'm an American woman with a Kazakh boyfriend. He is moving to a new apartment and I'd really like to help him decorate it to feel like home. His last apartment and his dorm in college were pretty empty/basic and a little bit grey and sad. We're both in tech so he likes the modern aesthetics but also has told me he wants to go with warmer colors and a more home-like feel for this next move.

What are some subtle modern ways to make his home feel both warm and more Kazakh? Anything I can surprise him with as a housewarming gift?

E.g. a modern warm-toned living room but the rug is kazakh... so subtle but something that feels intentional.

Рақмет in advance!

I’m a 19F currently residing in Almaty. Would love to connect with some people 🥺.

Especially non white folks I guess. I was there for 10 days around new year. I was in Almaty, astana, shymkent and turkistan. No one bothered us as such. But if I needed help in any kind of situation it was very hard. I do understand that most people don't speak English, but I had my Google translate open and yet people were often annoyed when we asked for help. This was 70% of the time. I travelled in trains, marshutka, cabs. And just once in a bus. Some instances: We were at a mall, in a food court and all the tables were taken, no one would share the table even on asking. The old lady selling bus cards refused to explain or answer the questions after taking our money. One of the cards didn't even work. I asked the police man in our train coach if Astana was the last stop using google translate, he was annoyed and gave no answer. Asked a local person what are spots are worth visiting and they were not interested in answering. Many such instances.

The people who were providing services were all nice of course, like drivers or hotel staff.

There were some kind people too who knew English who'd help us out even without us asking. So not saying all the people were unfriendly but yeah this was the vibe. By the end, I started figuring things out on my own instead of asking for help from a stranger. I've visited 8 countries around Asia and Europe and this was the first time I felt this way. If you can see that the person is from a different country and is finding it difficult, isn't is basic human nature to help?

Not here to rant. Just want to understand your point of view.

I’m interested in visiting Kazakhstan in the near future.

I’m learning Russian and some Kazakh. I would like to make some connections before then and get to know the culture and people a little better.

How would you suggest I go about doing this?

Эта церемония меня так сильно растрогала! ❤️

Я бразилец, у меня уже давно отношения с казашкой, и я постоянно слежу за страницей этой замечательной казахской девушки и её мужа-бразильца. Когда я увидел их свадьбу, я влюбился в казахскую культуру ещё сильнее.

Особенно меня зацепил момент қыз ұзату — трогательные проводы невесты. Бразилец нервничал, но спел для своей любимой настоящую казахскую песню о любви. Она держала его за руку, тихонько подпевала, и в этот момент было видно, сколько они прошли вместе: четыре года отношений, расстояния, трудности… и вот они вместе. Это так красиво и искренне!

Я даже задал своей девушке кучу вопросов про эту традицию 😅 Она мне всё подробно рассказала, и теперь я ещё больше восхищаюсь, насколько глубокая и тёплая казахская свадебная культура.

Спасибо, что делитесь такими моментами. Это вдохновляет и показывает, что настоящая любовь не знает границ — ни культурных, ни языковых, ни географических.

Берегите друг друга! 🇧🇷❤️🇰🇿

(Если хочешь, могу сделать текст ещё более естественным или добавить детали про конкретны

Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWeHtQ-iPrr/?igsh=YWIxZzB4OHhvOWU2

А МНЕ КАЗАХСКИЙ БЕШБАРМАК ДОРОЖЕ РОДИНЫ

What's the reputation of European/North American tourists in the country?

Maybe I just haven't noticed it yet, but looking at global travel trends, I've noticed that tourists from certain nations (like Russia, India, and Pakistan) have developed very distinct reputations in places like Turkey, Thailand, Japan, Tajikistan, and even within Kazakhstan itself.

However, I rarely see any specific reputation or stereotypes mentioned regarding travelers from Western Europe or North America. Given that Western tourism to Central Asia is relatively small but growing, how are Americans, Canadians, and Western Europeans generally perceived by locals? Are there any common stereotypes—positive or negative—associated with them? Thank y'all!

Hello everyone in Kazakhstan. I am Japanese.

I have something to tell you all. Yesterday, a Japanese YouTuber posted a video , and it went viral. This person is a creator who travels around the world introducing bustling districts, nightlife areas, and slums. The content of this video shows Japanese men hitting on local young women in Almaty. In the late-night entertainment district, he approaches women in a way that even I find extremely rude. It might be hard to understand without subtitles, and the uploader's Japanese has a strong dialect, but the language used is also extremely casual and could easily be perceived as harassment.

I have one Kazakh friend, and he found this video. I also plan to travel to Almaty for tourism in this March. From what my friend tell me, many people there admire us, love manga and cars, and have a deep interest in Japanese culture. So, sooner or later, I think sensible Kazakhstani people will find this video and be deeply hurt. In some cases, it could provoke significant backlash. I truly believe that's only natural. It genuinely pains me that Japanese people produced and released content that could be perceived as commodifying women. Please remember that such creators do not represent all Japanese people😭😭😭😭

※ If you have any questions, I'll answer them all. You should be able to find that video right away by searching for “Almaty” in Japanese.

I am a Kazakh who grew up in America and was wondering what culture shocks, expectations, and good or bad experiences any people from Kazakhstan had when visiting. I have visited Kazakhstan a couple of times and really loved it myself and was hoping to get some feedback in the other direction.

Earlier this month, a video of Dimash happened to appear in my YouTube recommendations; I clicked on it and became a fan. It was the first time in my life that a song moved me to tears. 

Before this, my only impression of Kazakhstan was that it had a stylish flag, but I became interested in your country and bought an introductory book on the Kazakh language. I hope Dimash lives a long, happy life and becomes the happiest, longest-living man in the world. 

I used Google Translate to help me write this message. 

はじめまして。私は日本人です。 

今月たまたまYouTubeのおすすめにディマシュさんの動画が出てきて、クリックしてからファンになりました。歌を聴いて泣いたのは、人生初の体験でした。 

それまでカザフスタンは国旗がおしゃれな国という印象だったのですが、貴国に興味を持ったのでカザフ語の入門書を買いました。ディマシュさんには世界一幸せな最長寿男性を目指してほしいです。 

上記の英文は、Google翻訳に手伝ってもらいました。

I’m 21 yo Finnish girl looking for somebody to befriend while as i try to understand more of my mothers side of family as in fact my mother is from Kazakhstan but unfortunately i have never learned the language! :(

I just got accepted into university in Finland and my interests are history (religions, culture and such), gaming and art! Hmu if you don’t mind writing in english :)

хочу спросить как выглядел Казахстан еще до ковида в 2017 году, так сказать всю атмосферу прочувствовать. сама не помню, мелкой была, а инсайты о бытовой жизни послушать хочется.

As for women not wearing hijab, that's Just normal in many counties. But the part about islam being more like a tradition or ppl being muslim in name only etc is pretty interesting.