Is Fast Food Taking Over Kyrgyz Food?

Can you imagine living in a 21st century without fast food? Yes, you heard it right. Without fast food?

Nearly three years ago, there was almost no sign of fast food in Naryn - one of the remotest regions in Kyrgyzstan. Now, there are already restaurants and cafes operating within the region with great options available to fast-food lovers.

The youths' preferences are shifting from traditional food to fast-food. Consumption of Pizzas and burgers is increasing gradually in comparison to traditional Pulof and Lagman.

In such a small town of Naryn, where the traditions and customs have been always prioritized and preserved by the locals, the new trend of cafes has posed a great deal of danger.

Bamboo, Nomad and Smoke are just a few examples of cafes operating here. Can you even imagine that in such a remote area of the world, people can actually find a yummy black burger? This finger-licking lamb black burger is delicious and appetizing. Everyone in this town or even around the world should at least try it once!

"The fast-food is a new concept for Naryn people. The youth is moving from traditional to fast food and they are the regular consumers. Although, I like the concept of diversity, and it should reflect in food as well; however, a complete switch is not a good sign," said Bagymdat Atabaeva, a university student in Naryn.

Interestingly, in the Kyrgyz society, women are still being judged based on their culinary skills. The woman who cooks well is considered to be a perfect wife and the pride of house. Therefore, the young girls have increasingly started learning to cook fast food items at home. The reason is to be simply considered as a perfect wife in the future.

"The demand for fast food is increasing among the youth of Naryn. Seeing the mere fact of not having much cafes and restaurants in Naryn led me to open this cafe here. Our main purpose is to serve people per their demand, which is mostly fast food," said one of the cafe owners in Naryn.

The sudden shift of taste from traditional to fast food can also be attributed to “foreign invasions” in Naryn. International projects being hosted by this city gives internationals a chance to visit and work in this city. It is probably hard for diverse nationalities to quickly adopt traditional taste of Kyrgyzstan, and thus this demand led café owners to grab this opportunity and make profits.

It might conclude here that why youngsters also grabbed an opportunity to love the black burger!