Karagandy's food scene reflects its mixed heritage. Kazakh staples like beshbarmak (boiled meat over flat noodles) and lagman (hand-pulled noodle soup) sit alongside Russian dumplings and Korean kimchi — a legacy of the Korean deportees who arrived in the 1930s and never left. The city centre has a decent spread of cafes and canteen-style restaurants, and the Central Bazaar is the best single place to graze your way through the local food culture.
Prices are low by any standard. A full meal at a local cafe costs very little, and the bazaar stalls are cheaper still. Don't expect fine dining; expect hearty, filling food made without fuss.