Osh is the real gastronomic capital of Kyrgyzstan. Here, at the first sound of the morning call to prayer, entire neighbourhoods come alive with a variety of street food. Large tandoor ovens are fired up to a red heat to bake fluffy, crispy flatbread, generously covered with cumin.

Starting in the early morning, you can visit local cafes to taste fresh, thick rice soup called “mastava,” spiced with rings of fire chili. It pairs perfectly with ayran, a cool and tangy yogurt drink popular throughout the Middle East and Central Asia. If you want something simpler, then order an fragrant shorpo soup with crispy grains of black pepper.

For lunch, the famous Osh samsa is a must-try! While samsa is a very popular dish all over the region, only in Osh can you find the most authentic tandoor samsas in such delicious variety. Make sure to also sample savory kebabs, which are a favorite of both visitors and locals, especially Osh’s popular minced meat lula kebabs.

For those who are a little tired of meat dishes, we suggest enjoying a taste of the most famous steamed mini-manti, little dumplings filled with mashed potatoes and chickpeas, seasoned with mouthwatering chunks of tail fat. For dessert, please don’t forget to try the local varieties of halwa, a light and nutty traditional treat!

Osh is a never-ending feast of flavours. If you like a dish, thank the chef and be sure to ask for his name. In Osh, in search of the best kebab, samsa or pilau, the focus is always on the cook.