What Food To Try in Bishkek and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Bishkek for 2024.
National currency: Som, symbol — с (international currency code KGS).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Bishkek cafes and restaurants
$5.7
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $3.44
$22.9
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $14.91
$5.4
Combo Meal
Starting from $4.59
What to Try in Bishkek
Must-try Dishes
Plov - Плов (rice dish) - This hearty dish features rice cooked with succulent pieces of lamb, carrots, and aromatic spices. Locals often enjoy it during gatherings or celebrations, as it’s perfect for sharing among friends.Beshbarmak - Бешбармак (meat and noodles) - A comforting dish of boiled meat, typically lamb or beef, served over handmade noodles and topped with a savory onion sauce. It's a staple for special occasions, often enjoyed with family sitting around a large plate.
Somsa - Сомса (savory pastry) - These flaky pastries are filled with spiced meat and onion, baked until golden brown. You'll find them at street stalls and in bakeries, often enjoyed as a quick lunch or snack on the go.
Lagman - Лагман (noodle soup) - A flavorful noodle dish made with hand-pulled noodles, vegetables, and tender meat, often served in a rich broth. Best enjoyed during lunch in local cafes, it’s perfect for a filling midday meal.
Shashlik - Шашлык (grilled skewers) - Juicy marinated pieces of meat, usually lamb or chicken, grilled over open flames and often served with fresh vegetables and flatbread. You’ll often see locals enjoying this as street food, especially during gatherings at parks.
Ala-Too Plov - Ала-Тоо Плов (festive rice dish) - This is a seasonal variation of plov made with special ingredients like local dried fruits and nuts, creating a sweet and savory medley. Typically made during holidays, it brings a festive touch to family meals.
Chak-chak - Чак-чак (savory fritters) - A surprising dish where dough is shaped and deep-fried, served with a side of spicy sauce. Often enjoyed with breakfast, it combines sweet and savory flavors, surprising many with its deviation from the usual breakfast fare.
Besbarmak - Бешбармак (traditional dish) - A popular choice for family gatherings, this dish features boiled meat served atop broad noodles with a flavorful broth poured over it. It’s a meal that carries cultural significance, symbolizing hospitality and togetherness during gatherings.
Desserts & Drinks
Chai - Чай (spiced milk tea) - A comforting blend of strong black tea brewed with milk, cardamom, and a mix of spices. You’ll often see people gathering around samovars and enjoying it multiple times a day, especially during long afternoon chats. Shara - Шара (chilled fermented drink) - This refreshing drink is made from fermented milk or ayran, slightly tangy and served cold. Perfect on a hot summer day, it pairs beautifully with street food, and locals swear it’s a hangover cure!
Kumys - Кумыс (fermented mare's milk) - A traditional drink made by fermenting the milk of mares, it has a slightly fizzy texture. It’s common during family gatherings, and though its taste can be an acquired one, it’s worth a try for a real taste of the culture.
Baklava - Баклава (nuts and syrup pastry) - This iconic dessert features layers of flaky pastry filled with crushed nuts and drenched in syrup. Often served during special occasions, like weddings or part of a festive feast, it's best enjoyed fresh with a cup of tea.
Kyrgyzchay - Кыргызчай (creamy tea dessert) - A unique dessert made from tea, sugar, and a dollop of condensed milk poured over it; it's chilled to create a sweet treat. This is a favorite during big festivals, such as Nowruz, and feels particularly festive when served in ornate teacups.
By the way, if you order kumys, don’t be surprised if it comes with some raised eyebrows—it's definitely not for everyone! Best to try it in a relaxed setting, perhaps during a Sunday picnic.
Food and Groceries in Bishkek
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.43 |
| Bananas | $1.68 |
| Oranges | $1.86 |
| Potatoes | $0.46 |
| Apples | $0.87 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.39 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.92 |
| Imported Beer | $1.55 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $5.73 |
| Milk 1L | $0.8 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $6.85 |
| Chicken | $5.15 |
| Cigarettes | $1.35 |
| Rice | $1.5 |
| Local Cheese | $9.27 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
There’s a noticeable buzz around lunchtime in Bishkek, particularly in the city center around Ala-Too Square. Many locals gather at cafes and food stalls, indulging in hearty meals around 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This is prime dining time, where families and workers alike break for a satisfying meal, often ordering plov (rice pilaf) or borsok (fried bread) to fuel their afternoons.
In terms of pricing, meals vary by area. For example, a solid lunch at a mid-range cafe in the city center might cost around 600-800 KGS, whereas the same meal at a street vendor could be as low as 200 KGS. These variations reflect the local economic patterns—higher foot traffic in the center brings higher prices, especially for dining establishments catering to tourists. Meanwhile, districts like Osh Bazaar or Alamedin are generally more affordable, with plenty of options below 300 KGS.
When it comes to payment, cash is king in most places, although some moderately priced restaurants accept cards. It can be frustrating to find that not all vendors have card readers, especially in the bustling markets where the majority of street food is sold. Additionally, it's good to keep in mind that tipping, while not mandatory, is appreciated—usually around 10% if the service was good.
Bishkek has its own unique dining habits, one of which is the communal style of eating. It's common to see large groups ordering multiple dishes to share amongst themselves. This contrasts with more individualistic dining patterns I've seen elsewhere. As for timing, locals tend to avoid dining after 8 PM, as many restaurants may close early, especially outside of the city center.
One common mistake tourists make is their approach to reservations—many assume they need one for every dinner outing. While this is true for some high-end restaurants, most casual spots, especially in the markets, don’t require reservations. Just walk in, and you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere.
What’s particularly interesting is the seasonal price variation—during winter, hot soups and warming drinks become more prominent, and you might find that prices shift slightly to reflect the demand for comfort foods. The bustling summer months see outdoor dining areas pop up, bringing a lively atmosphere but also slightly higher prices due to increased demand.
The evolving food scene in Bishkek reflects a blend of traditional and modern influences, making it a vibrant place to explore local dining customs. As new transport links develop, especially around the outskirts, there's potential for exciting new culinary ventures to spring up, capturing the essence of both local and new flavors.
In terms of pricing, meals vary by area. For example, a solid lunch at a mid-range cafe in the city center might cost around 600-800 KGS, whereas the same meal at a street vendor could be as low as 200 KGS. These variations reflect the local economic patterns—higher foot traffic in the center brings higher prices, especially for dining establishments catering to tourists. Meanwhile, districts like Osh Bazaar or Alamedin are generally more affordable, with plenty of options below 300 KGS.
When it comes to payment, cash is king in most places, although some moderately priced restaurants accept cards. It can be frustrating to find that not all vendors have card readers, especially in the bustling markets where the majority of street food is sold. Additionally, it's good to keep in mind that tipping, while not mandatory, is appreciated—usually around 10% if the service was good.
Bishkek has its own unique dining habits, one of which is the communal style of eating. It's common to see large groups ordering multiple dishes to share amongst themselves. This contrasts with more individualistic dining patterns I've seen elsewhere. As for timing, locals tend to avoid dining after 8 PM, as many restaurants may close early, especially outside of the city center.
One common mistake tourists make is their approach to reservations—many assume they need one for every dinner outing. While this is true for some high-end restaurants, most casual spots, especially in the markets, don’t require reservations. Just walk in, and you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere.
What’s particularly interesting is the seasonal price variation—during winter, hot soups and warming drinks become more prominent, and you might find that prices shift slightly to reflect the demand for comfort foods. The bustling summer months see outdoor dining areas pop up, bringing a lively atmosphere but also slightly higher prices due to increased demand.
The evolving food scene in Bishkek reflects a blend of traditional and modern influences, making it a vibrant place to explore local dining customs. As new transport links develop, especially around the outskirts, there's potential for exciting new culinary ventures to spring up, capturing the essence of both local and new flavors.