20 Traditional Russian Foods You've Never Heard of (But Need to Try) (2024)

20 Traditional Russian Foods You’ve Never Heard of (But Need to Try)

Russian cuisine is a mash-up of flavours and influences influenced by the country’s wide geography and unique history. Russian cuisine provides something for everyone, from robust soups and stews to exquisite pastries and sweets.

Using seasonal ingredients is one of the most recognizable elements of Russian cuisine. Due to Russia’s lengthy winters and short summers, chefs have learnt to make the most of what is available. Borscht (beet soup), shchi (cabbage soup), and pelmeni (dumplings) are popular winter foods in Russia. They eat fresh fruit and vegetables in the summer and delicacies like okroshka (cold soup) and salatka olivier (potato salad).

Russian cuisine is likely to delight, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just searching for a new gastronomic adventure. So, the next time you want to try something new, be sure to try some of these classic Russian cuisines.

1. Rasstegai

Rasstegai is a traditional Russian pirog with a hole in the top that is commonly consumed throughout the winter. Rasstegai is supposed to have originated in the Novgorod area of Russia, in the town of Staraya Russa, and were particularly popular among the Russian nobility.

Rasstegai is created with a yeast dough that is rolled out and then filled with a fish mixture. The dough is then folded over to form a half-moon shape, leaving a hole at the top. After that, the rasstegai are cooked till golden brown.

Rasstegai is often served on a plate with broth poured into the hole in the top. This allows the liquid to absorb into the filling, resulting in a moist and tasty meal.

2.Syrniki

Traditional Russian cottage cheese pancakes are known as syrniki. They’re commonly made with cottage cheese, eggs, flour, and sugar and served with a choice of toppings including sour cream, jam, or fresh berries. In Russia, syrniki is a popular breakfast or snack item, as well as a dessert.

Syrniki is simple to build and may be tailored to your preferences. For example, you can flavour the batter with raisins, dried fruits, or nuts, or top the syrniki with your favourite sauce or syrup. Syrniki is a tasty and adaptable dish that can be served at any meal.

3. Blini

Blini are classic Russian pancakes cooked using a range of flours such as wheat, buckwheat, and oatmeal. They are generally thin and crepe-like in texture and can be topped with a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients. Blini are popular all year in Russia, but they are popular during the Maslenitsa celebration, also known as Pancake Week.

Blini are created in a number of ways, but the main components are flour, eggs, milk, and yeast. The batter is combined and left to rise for many hours. After rising, the batter is placed onto a heated pan or griddle and fried till golden brown on both sides.

4.Pelmeni

Pelmeni are classic Russian dumplings filled with delicious ingredients such as ground beef, pig, chicken, or mushrooms. They are often served with sour cream and cooked in broth. Pelmeni can be cooked with a variety of meats, such as beef, hog, chicken, or lamb.

The ground beef is combined with onions, spices, and water to make a filling. Flour, eggs, and water are used to make the dough. After that, it is rolled out and cut into rounds. Each circle is filled with a small quantity of filling, and the dough is folded over to seal the dumpling.

Pelmeni is traditionally eaten with sour cream, however, they can alternatively be accompanied by ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

5. Vareniki

Vareniki are typical Ukrainian dumplings that can be filled with either sweet or savoury fillings. They are often served cooked in water with sour cream, butter, and fried onions. Potato vareniki, cheese vareniki, cabbage vareniki, pork vareniki, mushroom vareniki, berry vareniki, and fruit vareniki are the many forms of vareniki.

Vareniki is usually boiled in water, although it can also be fried or baked. The most frequent method, boiling, yields the most tender and tasty vareniki. Vareniki are a tasty and adaptable cuisine that may be eaten for breakfast, lunch, supper, or dessert. They are a terrific way to use up leftover ingredients and may be tailored to your preferences. Enjoy!

6.Shchi

Shchi is a typical Russian cabbage soup prepared with vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes. It’s usually accompanied by sour cream, toast, and a dab of horseradish.

Fresh or sauerkraut can be used to make shchi. Fresh cabbage shchi is cooked using beef or chicken broth, whereas sauerkraut shchi is produced with vegetable broth.

7.Borscht

Borscht is an Eastern European soup prepared from beets, vegetables, and meat or broth. It’s usually accompanied by sour cream and fresh herbs. Borscht recipes vary, but the most frequent components are beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and meat or broth. Beets give the soup its distinctive red hue and earthy taste. Sweetness, acidity, and texture are provided by the other veggies.

Borscht can be cooked with a variety of meats such as beef, hog, chicken, or lamb. For a vegetarian or vegan variation, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Borscht is a tasty and adaptable soup that may be served for lunch or dinner.

8. Solyanka

Solyanka is a thick and sour Russian soup. It’s cooked with beef, ham, sausage, and bacon, as well as pickles, olives, capers, and vegetables including potatoes, cabbage, and carrots. Sour cream and fresh herbs are frequently added to the soup before serving.

Solyanka is classified into two types: meat solyanka and fish solyanka. Meat solyanka is the most frequent and is produced from a range of meats, whereas fish solyanka is created from a variety of fish, including salmon, cod, and haddock. Solyanka is a substantial and flavorful soup that is ideal for a cold winter day.

9. Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a traditional Russian meal prepared with thinly sliced beef sautéed in a sour cream, mushroom, and onion sauce. It’s usually accompanied by rice or noodles. Beef Stroganoff is a popular meal in many countries, and there are several variants of the recipe.

Other ingredients, like as mustard, Worcestershire sauce, or paprika, may be added to the sauce in certain recipes. Others recommend serving the meal with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes or veggies. Beef Stroganoff is a tasty and simple recipe that is ideal for a weekday dinner.

10. Holodets

Holodets is a classic Russian meal prepared with meat, bones, vegetables, and spices. It is also known as meat jelly or aspic. The meat is simmered for many hours until it slips off the bone, and the liquid is then drained and refrigerated until it forms a jelly.

Holodets are usually accompanied by horseradish, garlic, or mustard. It’s usually served as a cold appetizer or main meal, and it’s especially popular around the holidays.

11. Kasha

Kasha is a sort of porridge or cereal prepared with buckwheat groats. Buckwheat is a pseudocereal, which means it is not a true cereal grain, but its nutritional content is comparable. Buckwheat is high in protein, fibre, and minerals including magnesium and iron.

It is usually eaten at breakfast, lunch, or supper. Kasha can be eaten simply or with a variety of toppings such as milk, yoghurt, fruit, almonds, or seeds.

12. Pirogi

Pirogi are classic Eastern European dumplings filled with a savory or sweet filling. The dough is created with flour, water, salt, and eggs, and the filling might include potatoes, cheese, meat, veggies, or fruit. Pirogi can be cooked in three ways: boiled, baked, or fried.

They are commonly served as a main meal or as an appetizer. Pirogi can also be frozen and then reheated. Pirogi can be topped with a variety of ingredients, including sour cream, butter, fried onions, and ketchup. They’re also tasty on their own.

13. Okroshka

Okroshka is a cold Russian soup prepared with raw vegetables, cooked meat or fish, and a sour beverage such as kvass, kefir, or yoghurt. It’s a light and refreshing soup that’s ideal for a hot summer day.

Okroshka may be made using a variety of vegetables, but the most typical are cucumbers, radishes, green onions, and dill. Meat or fish can be cooked in a variety of ways, although it is most commonly boiled, grilled, or roasted. The tangy taste of the soup is provided by the sour liquid.

14.Kvass

Kvass is an Eastern European fermented cereal-based beverage. It is a non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beverage with an alcohol concentration ranging from 0.5-2.2%. Kvass is produced from rye bread or rye flour, malt, and water. It’s a light, pleasant drink with a sour aftertaste.

Kvass is normally served cold and is popular on hot days as a pleasant beverage. It helps one to stay hydrated during hot days. It’s also a great basis for soups, stews, and marinades. There are many various flavours of kvass, including Rye kvass, Bread kvass, Fruit kvass, and Vegetable kvass.

15.Medovukha

Medovukha is an old Russian honey drink consisting of honey, water, and yeast. It’s a sweet and refreshing drink with a hint of booze. Medovukha has been consumed for generations in Russia and is still a popular drink today.

Typically, medovukha is created by heating honey in water and then adding yeast. Depending on the desired alcohol concentration, the combination is subsequently fermented for many days or weeks. Medovukha can range in alcohol concentration from 5% to 18%.

There are several sorts of medovukha, including light medovukha, dark medovukha, and spiced medovukha. Medovukha is a delicious method to consume honey. It is also high in probiotics for the intestines.

16. Vareye

Vareye is a classic Russian dessert prepared with cooked fruit or berries in sugar syrup. It’s a sweet, sticky dessert that’s usually served with tea or coffee.It’s usually produced in the summer when the fruits are in season.

There are several varieties of варeне, each with its own distinct flavour. Yablokovoye varenye (Apple jam), vishnevoye varenye (Cherry jam), malinovoye varenye (Raspberry jam), klubnichnoye varenye (Strawberry jam), and chernikovoye varenye (Blackberry jam) are some examples of варене. Varenye is a delightful and simple dessert that is suitable for any occasion.

17.Pryaniki

Traditional Russian gingerbread cookies prepared with honey, flour, eggs, and spices are known as pryaniki. They’re usually cooked in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be topped with icing, frosting, or other toppings.

Pryaniki has been loved for generations in Russia. They’re frequently connected with holidays and special events, and they’re frequently given as gifts. Medoviye pryaniki (Honey gingerbread cookies), shokoladnye pryaniki (Chocolate gingerbread cookies), orekhovye pryaniki (Nut gingerbread cookies), fruktovye pryaniki (Fruit gingerbread cookies), and yablokovye pryaniki (Apple gingerbread cookies) are some types of pryaniki.

18.Pastila

Pastila is a classic Russian fruit sweet.Pastila is traditionally prepared with sour Russian apples like Antonovka or mashed Northern berries flavoured with honey or sugar and lightened with egg whites. The paste is cooked in a Russian oven for many hours before being placed in numerous layers within an alder box and dried in the oven. It’s typically eaten with tea or coffee, but it may also be used as a filling for pies and pastries.

19. Guriev kasha

Guriev kasha is an old Russian delicacy prepared of semolina porridge, baked milk, candied almonds, fruits, and berries. The dish is named after Count Dmitry Guryev, who is supposed to have originated it in the early nineteenth century.

Slowly heating semolina in milk until thick and creamy is how the porridge is produced. Baked milk is prepared by gently baking milk in the oven until a golden brown crust appears. Before serving, the candied nuts, fruits, and berries are mixed into the porridge and baked milk.

20.Stroganina

Stroganina is a traditional dish of Siberian and Russian Far Eastern indigenous peoples. It is made using thinly sliced raw fish, most commonly salmon, trout, or whitefish. Typically, the fish is frozen and then chopped into thin strips approximately 1/4-inch thick. The strips are then seasoned with salt, pepper, and, occasionally, lemon juice.

In Siberia and the Russian Far East, stroganina is a popular meal. It is frequently served as an appetizer or starter. It’s also a popular meal to offer at picnics and festivals. Stroganina is a tasty and refreshing dish that’s ideal for a cold winter day.

Traditional Russian foods are a delectable and diversified culinary experience with a rich history and culture. There’s something for everyone’s taste buds, from robust soups and stews to delicate pastries and sweets.

Russian cuisine provides something for everyone, whether you want a robust dinner or a sweet dessert. Russian cuisine is a gourmet excursion that will tickle your taste buds with its robust tastes and unique dishes.