Support The Moscow Times!

Fans Feast on Tatarstan Pastries in Kazan

Echpochmaks, traditional dish in Kazan Youtube

When in Kazan, eat like the locals do. Since the beginning of the World Cup, football fans have gobbled up some 21,000 echpochmaks in Kazan alone, the Tatarstan tourism department has said.

Shaped like a triangle and filled with mushrooms, potatoes and spices, echpochmaks are the traditional pastries of Tatarstan, a Russian republic of which host city Kazan is the capital.

In the first 20 days of the tournament, 21,125 echpochmaks have been sold in the city and washed down with 87,926 liters of beer, the tourism department said in an online report.

One café reported having served more than 57,674 khinkali — Georgian dumplings — and 5,768 khachapuri — Georgian cheese-stuffed bread —over the course of the tournament.

The report also described foreign fans as “cheerful guests who created a friendly atmosphere and unforgettable impressions,” and who employed the word spasibo generously.

Colombians, who were in town for their match against Poland, left the biggest mark. After dining in a local restaurant they serenaded the chef in gratitude, the report said.

Only a week into the tournament, some bars and restaurants in Moscow warned they were already running low on beer.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more