Authentic Asian Restaurants in Astana

The city’s premier izakaya-style restaurant boasts a luxurious waterfront view and a contemporary interior with touches of Eastern elegance. The experience is completed by an open kitchen, an extensive wine cellar, and the impeccable service characteristic of all St. Regis hotel restaurants. Malaysian chef Azrul Ismail offers guests a predominantly Japanese selection with subtle Thai and Korean influences. Portions are predictably modest, and prices match the restaurant’s status.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Spicy Tom Yum with sea bass and shellfish in coconut milk. There’s a high chance of love at first spoon, and the ₸10,000 price tag won’t seem overpriced

·    Raw food lovers will appreciate the salmon sashimi and Philadelphia roll with mango sauce

A cozy restaurant serving homemade Japanese cuisine, where chef Kishigami Daiske reigns supreme. You won’t find fancy interiors, dressed-up waitstaff, or generic Philly rolls here. However, securing a free table requires some effort. Your persistence will be rewarded with an immersive dive into Japanese culture. The atmosphere is enhanced by anime posters on the walls, manga collections on bookshelves, and Japanese conversations at nearby tables.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Hambāgu — juicy beef patties in brown sauce. Order three at once — one patty won’t be enough

·    Curry Rice — a thick stew of vegetables and meat (beef or chicken) in curry sauce. Don’t confuse it with Indian curry — the Japanese wouldn’t forgive that

·    Chicken Katsu — fried chicken cutlet with crispy breading. Be sure to pair it with traditional cabbage salad

·    For dessert, try the chiffon cake — exactly what No-Face enjoyed in Miyazaki’s Spirited Away

When Chinese restaurants come to mind, Turandot is the first name that appears. Having opened its doors back in 1998, it long set the gold standard for authentic Chinese gastronomy in the capital. One of the most beautiful restaurants boasts an extensive menu that fully showcases the diversity of Chinese cuisine. Bonus: at the Saryarka branch, you can host a small banquet, sing karaoke, and enjoy the spectacle of hot pot preparation.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Legendary Peking Duck. Served classically: aromatic meat, rich broth, bones fried with aromatic spices, and pancakes. For freshness, the dish is traditionally accompanied by cucumbers and leeks

·    Wan Ze Soup — a spicy soup with meatballs, glass noodles, tofu, spinach, and fresh tomatoes. Perfect for warming up on chilly days and giving your cheeks a rosy glow

·    Yi Min Pi Lu — an assortment of seafood in spicy sauce, served sizzling on a hot plate

Ramen, tteokbokki, and kimbap are conquering the world, and Astana is no exception. Among the many decent (and not-so-decent) spots, our editorial team has selected a few standouts. One is Koreana BBQ, which has been delighting us with authentic Korean cuisine for over 20 years. It’s also one of the few restaurants where guests can grill skewers and samgyeopsal right at their table. After a hearty meal, playing a round or two of pool or singing in a private karaoke booth is a delightful way to cap off the evening.

Editor’s Picks:

·    If you’re dining with a group, we recommend budae jjigae — a spicy stew with ham, sausages, beef, cheese, tteokbokki, tofu, and two types of noodles. It comes with rice and a couple of salads on the side

·    Kkotgetang (we agree, the name is intriguing) — a highly marbled American ribeye. After grilling, the steak is sliced into convenient pieces, wrapped in lettuce leaves, and happily devoured

·    Samgyeopsal is thinly sliced pork belly for grilling on a Korean barbecue. Served with lettuce leaves, spicy sauce, and rice. You can order it pre-cooked, but the real fun is grilling it yourself at the table

To be honest, finding authentic Indian cuisine in Astana is extremely challenging. You can either dive into the world of spices and passion at a modern fast-casual café with a mixed menu or choose a simple restaurant that resembles a beer pub but serves genuine Indian dishes. Our selection features the former option — we’ll get to the latter another time.

The urban café Koktem prides itself not only on its magnificent view of Bayterek but also on its diverse menu, ranging from homemade cutlets with mashed potatoes and lasagna to vegan lavash with falafel and bibimbap. But don’t let that deter you — the Indian dishes are crafted by the visiting chef Mohan Bhandari. In his open kitchen with tandoor ovens, he works real magic.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Kathi Roll — an Indian «shawarma» consisting of tikka chicken, eggs, chili peppers, and a duo of green sauce and ketchup, all wrapped in roti bread

·    Tandoori Chicken — chicken marinated in yogurt and special spices, then baked in a tandoor. Best enjoyed with Indian bread like cheese garlic naan and rice

·    Hari Pyaz Paneer — fried slices of paneer cheese with green onions, ginger, cilantro, and garlic

·    Samosa — golden «pies» with potato filling, are best washed down with masala tea

«A premium gastronomic experience of Asian cuisine,» declares the Di Wang. It may sound boastful and flashy, but it’s true. Just take a look at the menu by chef Rustam Omarov: beef tataki with ponzu and momiji oroshi, mango salad with roasted duck, bao burgers with horse meat, vegetables, and cilantro — can you feel how Asia’s rich culinary traditions are masterfully woven into this menu? Add to that a conceptual interior blending European futurism with Asian authenticity, and voilà — you have the perfect spot for romantic dates.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Shrimp Wontons in aromatic broth. Legend has it that the more dumplings you eat, the more money you’ll make next year. And who are we to argue?

·    Braised Beef Cheeks with wood ear mushrooms and wasabi potatoes — the chef’s personal favorite, which isn’t just a recommendation but a call to action

·    Peking Duck with rice pancakes and hoisin sauce. You’ll also get a side of fresh vegetables and a cup of rich broth

·    Did we mention they serve the best dim sum in town? If not, we just did

This halal restaurant’s signature dish is huo guo (Chinese hot pot). Despite many people disliking DIY cooking at restaurants, this place is almost always packed. Guests choose Aiala Hogo for its built-in tabletop grills for steaks and seafood, as well as its excellent selection of vegetables, noodles, and meat for hot pot. We can’t praise the service, but we’ll give them credit for teleporting you to a huo guo joint in Sichuan province.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Unsurprisingly, we recommend the spicy hot pot. In it, we suggest cooking shrimp, squid, beef, enoki mushrooms, tofu, and broccoli. Ask the staff to mix the dipping sauce for you

You know those stories where a tiny market stall or a five-square-meter kitchen cooking food to sell leads to success and a full-fledged restaurant? This is one of those cases. Our selection includes the brainchild of Elina Tian. Korean Home Food has long secured its place on Astana’s culinary map thanks to its cozy space, high-quality service, and, of course, delicious homemade Korean dishes. This recommendation is solid — dig in with confidence.

Editor’s Picks:

·    Traditional Kimchi made from Napa cabbage — the dish that put this restaurant on the map

·    Yangnyeom Chicken Wings in sweet-and-sour sauce — finger-licking good

·    Galbitang — beef short rib soup with carrots, daikon, and sweet potato noodles, served in a traditional ttukbaegi pot

·    For dessert, try mochi — some of the best in town. And don’t miss the Pungo Pang (fish-shaped pastry with chocolate filling) paired with green tea