It is worth coming to Altai at least to try dishes that are not possible to be found anywhere else in the world. The natives of these mountains are very welcoming and by the time the guests arrive the table is always served. We tell you which local dishes you absolutely must try in order to get acquainted with the traditions and culture Altai. Altai cuisine is based on meat and milk. Favorite foods of the inhabitants of this mountainous region are pine-nuts and honey. You can try traditional local dishes while visiting Uch-Enmek Regional Nature Park or in the small village of Chui-Oozy, located in the Chuysky Territory, in the village of Artybash near Lake Teletskoye and in Belokurikha.
Barley Soup- "Kocho"
For a hearty and thick soup, they first cook the meat broth, which is called “mune” in the Altai. For this, meat is usually used on the bones – lamb, horse meat or beef. Traditionally, in simple and concise Altai cuisine, almost no spices are used. Therefore, only salt and a little dried wild onion are added to the meat broth. It is customary to sprinkle the resulting rich first course with chopped wild onions and garlic and eat from the bowls.
Blood sausage -"Kan"
Such a delicious sausage is one of the local specialties and they threat it like an art. The following dish is a really “specific”, but this is a MUST to try it to fully feel the atmosphere of Altai! It is prepared from the fresh blood of a sheep with milk, garlic and other ingredients.
Cheese -"Kurut"
In the famous wheelbarrow of the “Princess of Ukok” of Altai, excavated by scientists in 1993, they found many real treasures, including pieces of cheese that have been lying for centuries. It was the famous Altai Kurut, which mountain dwellers still do. The tradition of making such a product is common among all nomadic and sedentary peoples of Central Asia and has not changed for millennia. Smoked and very hard cheese is made from milk boiled on a sourdough – Chegen. It tastes salty and can be stored for a very long time.
Altai drinks
