Kazakh Cuisine Cooking Class in Almaty: Learn Baursaks

Five hours learning to cook three traditional Kazakh dishes from scratch

A five-hour cooking class in Almaty where you learn to prepare baursaks (fried pastries), kuurdak (meat stew) and shalgam salad under the guidance of an English-speaking chef. No prior cooking experience is required. You work through each dish step by step, receive instruction on techniques and ingredients, and leave with a recipe booklet so you can recreate the meals at home.

What’s included

• Full cooking workshop with hands-on preparation of all three dishes.
• recipe booklet in English.
• all ingredients and cooking equipment.
• instruction from an English-speaking chef.

Times

• Every day No fixed time

Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English and Russian

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Ages Adult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby

Operated by Kazia Tour

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

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The experience

Baursaks are the centerpiece of this class: soft, golden deep-fried pastries that appear on tables across Kazakhstan for celebrations and everyday meals alike. Your chef walks you through the dough, the frying technique, and the timing that makes them puff correctly. The class also covers kuurdak, a traditional Central Asian stir-fried meat stew built on layered flavors and quick heat, and shalgam, a tangy salad that balances the heavier dishes. Each one teaches you something about how Kazakh cooking sustains people across long journeys and open country.

The class is structured so you handle the prep and cooking yourself, with your instructor demonstrating techniques and answering questions as you work. All ingredients and equipment are provided, and you'll receive a recipe booklet in English so the dishes travel home with you. The chef speaks English and Russian, and the minimum age is 12. Public transportation options are available near the venue if you need them.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What exactly is baursaks and why is it important in Kazakh cooking?

Baursaks are soft, golden deep-fried pastries served on special occasions throughout Kazakhstan and as part of regular meals. They're a signature dish that appears at celebrations and family gatherings, and learning to make them correctly (with the right dough consistency and frying temperature) is the core skill this class teaches.

Do I need cooking experience to take this class?

No. The class is beginner-friendly and requires no previous cooking experience. You just need to bring your appetite and curiosity. The chef guides you step by step through each dish.

What other dishes do I learn besides baursaks?

You also prepare kuurdak, a traditional stir-fried meat stew found across Central Asia, and shalgam, a traditional Kazakh salad. Together they give you a foundation in the savory, hearty cooking that defines the cuisine.

Will I be able to cook these dishes at home after the class?

Yes. You receive a recipe booklet in English with all the techniques and ingredient lists you learned, so you can recreate baursaks, kuurdak and shalgam in your own kitchen.