Fast-food in Ust-Kamenogorsk: the legendary doner

Anyone can agree with the statement that having a local snack while traveling in a foreign country is a delightful thing to do. Even a local coming to East Kazakhstan from north for a short visit would be excited to discover the famous spot that every local enjoys from time to time: the Doner cafe, since 1993! Can you imagine that it has been 27 years since this place opened its doors for the first time? When you come in, the queue is that long that you have to stand almost at the entrance. It is a remarkable thing to add to your traveling memories: taste one of the oldest and most famous fast food delicacies in Ust-Kamenogorsk, the legendary doner!

Doner spot in Ust-Kamenogorsk

Kirov St 49, Ust'-Kamenogorsk 070000, Kazakhstan

Doner in Kazakhstan

Doner is famous street food in the Turkish cuisine. Kazakhstan has adopted this snack and serves doners all over the country in every single city. Apparently, doner is the first street food added to the Kazakhstani cuisine, and for its fair price, it became quite popular among students. There is a rumor that a doner is a student's meal in other words. As it is served in many parts of one city, it is quite challenging to find the best one, unless you give a try to all of them and choose one. So, at least in Ust-Kamenogorsk, I can tell you that the best one is offered in the Doner cafe. 

The legendary doner of East Kazakhstan

Ust-Kamenogorsk city is about 1.5 hours away by plane from Nur-Sultan. The climate of the town is charmingly warm in summer and very cold in winter. The city itself is diverse, and upon your arrival, you will be witnessing the historical buildings that stand still from the time when Kazakhstan was in the Soviet Union. You can ask any local what the most popular fast-food around the city is: you will definitely be pointed at the Doner spot which opened in 1993! In the restaurant, the snacks, desserts, and the menu are displayed to the clients. You can order your food and have a seat at the right part in a nicely decorated hall. There are many other meals here. However, only one type of doner is served, which is from beef, along with some ingredients such as french fries, vegetables dressed with the ketchup, mayo- all of them wrapped in bread. The price is very reasonable, only 650 tenges! Apart from doners, as in every traditional Turkish restaurant, there are plenty of baklavas to choose from (layers of filo filled with nuts and sweetened with honey). One of them has a particularly funny name 'Sultan's finger': try that one, it is very sweet and unusual!