An American traveller, Sasha, arrives in Kazan to explore the secrets of Tatar cuisine. At a local restaurant, she tries echpochmak — a triangular pastry filled with meat and potatoes that has become a symbol of Tatarstan. It’s so popular here that you can even find it as a dessert, sometimes topped with edible gold!
Next, Sasha takes part in a cooking masterclass to learn how to make chak-chak. This famous sweet was once prepared only for major celebrations and weddings, with the belief that a young couple’s happiness depended on how well it was made.
To discover more about Tatar traditions and culture, Sasha visits the Kazan Kremlin, where an Orthodox cathedral stands alongside a mosque. Later, in a traditional Tatar teahouse, she learns the local etiquette of drinking tea — slowly, accompanied by treats and unhurried conversation.
