Sasha meets Russia - Kazan: A Melting Pot of Cultures

Sasha meets Russia is our new food and travel series. Traveling across the world’s largest country, Sasha uncovers the traditions and flavors of its many peoples — proving the best way to know a place is through its food.

An American traveler, 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.

Watch “Sasha meets Russia - Kazan: A Melting Pot of Cultures” on RTD website and on RT’s live feed. The time of the broadcast is available on RT’s schedule page.