Central Asia, as a pivotal hub of the ancient Silk Road, has inherited the dietary customs of nomadic peoples, with a significant emphasis on meat. This dietary tradition is shaped by the region's nomadic lifestyle and the prosperous livestock farming, which provides an abundance of high-quality ingredients.

Kazakhstan is closely associated with the delicacy of Beshbarmak. In the Kazakh language, Beshbarmak means "five fingers," referring to hand-pulled noodles with meat, and is a traditional dish of Kazakh people. Beshbarmak is usually made from finely chopped boiled meat, notably horse meat, mixed with dough, typically egg noodles, and onion sauce.

Beshbarmak bears a resemblance to Naryn, a specialty of the Kazakh ethnic group in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Naryn is also made from finely chopped lamb or horse meat with onion sauce. Both dishes showcase the rich culinary heritage and the influence of the nomadic lifestyle in Central Asia.