One of my favorite Kyrgyz traditions is the "dastorkon," which refers to a dining table where friends, family, and guests eat. However, it also refers to the entire concept of hospitality, communal dining, and respect shown to guests.
Dastorkon is a welcoming spread of food and drink, often prepared for guests or special meals (like holidays)! It can be served on its own or before an entree.
I was amazed when I was presented with my first dastorkon while on a horse trek to Song-Kul. It filled me with a deep sense of warmth, comfort, and appreciation. A dastorkon is amazing after a long day of adventure, or just when you want a snack. Each host’s dastorkon is a reflection of their generosity, attentiveness, and genuine kindness.
The daily dastorkon at my host family's house always includes tea, local honey, fresh jam, bread, and boorsok. Boorsoks are small, fluffy squares made of fried dough. However, a more significant dastorkon could also include fresh fruit, biscuits, candies, kaymak, salad, halva, nuts, cheese, and more. Kaymak is a creamy dip made with the milk from cows, sheep, or goats.
