Osh Bazaar
Ош базары
Bishkek's largest and oldest traditional market, with dried fruit, spices, mare's milk, handmade felt hats and grilled samsa. It is one of the best places to experience everyday life in Central Asia.
Osh Bazaar lies about 3 km west of the city centre. It is the largest and oldest market in Bishkek, named after the trade routes that once connected to Osh in the south. The market is made up of several covered halls and open-air lanes, with clearly defined zones. The dried fruit and nut area is piled high with dried apricots, raisins, walnuts and pistachios, which you can sample before bargaining. The spice and tea area is colourful. In the meat and dairy area, you can buy kymyz (fermented mare's milk), camel milk and kurut (dried yogurt balls). In summer, the melon, watermelon and cherry stalls offer cheap and sweet fruit. There are also stalls selling traditional white Kyrgyz felt hats (kalpak), felt rugs (shyrdak), embroidery and secondhand Soviet goods. Around the market, small canteens serve grilled samsa (meat pastries), lagman (hand-pulled noodles), plov and flatbread. Getting there: a taxi from Ala-Too Square takes about 10 minutes, and several bus and minibus routes pass by. Note: the market is crowded and pickpockets are common, so keep valuables in front of you. Ask vendors' permission before taking their photo. Most stalls accept cash only.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Toktogul Satylganov National Philharmonic
- Gareev Botanical Garden
- Holy Resurrection Cathedral
- Panfilov Park
- White House
- State Historical Museum
- Ala-Too Square
- Frunze House Museum