Local entrepreneurs note that orders come not only from event organizers but also from guests attending these celebrations.
The price of katama varies depending on its size — the cost of one flatbread ranges from 60 to 70 soms.
As for samsa, its price depends on the filling:
- with potatoes — 20 soms each,
- with meat — up to 50 soms.
“According to Batken tradition, guests bring treats to celebrations known as ‘dastorkon tüyüp’. Katama and samsa are mandatory on the table, ensuring a stable demand for these products throughout the year. Some entrepreneurs prepare up to 200–300 pieces of samsa and katama daily, selling them from their own homes,” shared the sellers.
- Katama is a traditional Kyrgyz layered flatbread known for its crispy crust and soft center. It is made from dough that is rolled into a thin layer, brushed with oil, and folded to create layers. Often, finely chopped onions are added to the dough to enhance the flavor. Katama is served hot with tea, kaymak, or as a side dish to meat and first courses.
- Samsa is a popular dish characteristic of Kyrgyz cuisine but also widespread in Central Asia. It is a pastry made from layered or unleavened dough filled with meat (lamb, beef) or vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin), baked in a tandoor or oven. Samsa has become a cult street snack.
