Ukraine is famous for its cultural diversity. The country has also gained global popularity for its diverse cuisine. Ukrainian food is famous all over the world today because of its delicious taste, traditional styles and of course unique ways of serving guests. The main ingredients in the diet that Ukrainians prefer are millet, rye and wheat. They have been harvesting such foods for many centuries. It is worth noting the fact that despite being ruled by many countries including Russia, Poland and Austria, the original inhabitants of Ukraine have kept their culture, traditions and culinary habits alive and intact.
12 popular Ukrainian foods
The distinguishing feature of most Ukrainian dishes is that their ingredients are usually fried or boiled before stewing or baking. Ukrainians always love to explore a variety of cuisines. This is the main reason why they themselves prepare different types of food for them and also love to serve it to their respected guests. Today’s Ukrainians consider it a matter of pride that a select few of their dishes have crossed their borders to achieve international popularity. Check out these 12 best Ukrainian foods .
1. Open Date
One of the popular appetizers of Ukrainian cuisine, kholodet is prepared with meat or fish as the main ingredient. This is a light and less spicy dish, hence it remains everyone’s favorite dish. With the unique flavor of garlic and meat, it offers a mouth-watering delicious dining experience.
To prepare the kholodet dish, the meat broth is boiled for a long time over low heat until completely softened. Sometimes, the meat broth is mixed with onions, carrots and bay leaves. Sounds interesting but one thing to note is that the readiness of this dish is checked by dipping fingers in it. If fingers come out sticky, the broth is ready, so the dish settles out for serving.
Where to try: Pervak, Kanapa Restaurant, Kiev Restaurant
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2. Borscht
It is also popularly called borscht and borscht Borscht is a colorful Jewish soup in Ukrainian cuisine . It is prepared through various vegetables which include beetroot, carrot, potato, cabbage and kidney beans etc. However in its non-vegetarian version, meat is added to enhance that taste.
Although more than 300 types of borscht are prepared nowadays, Ukrainian borscht always remains different. This unique soup is usually prepared with carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions, parsley and beetroot. The distinctive deep red color of this dish makes it unique.
Where to try: Seven Piggies, Café Centaur, the most expensive Galician restaurant, Galushko
3. Easter
Paska is famous as Ukrainian Easter bread. This traditional cake recipe is cooked with the addition of eggs, flavoring agents and alcohol. Be it Christmas or any other holiday, this cake remains the perfect choice among families. It is often decorated with religious symbols to add some religious flavor to it.
Loved by both adults and children, this delicious bread is the perfect companion to grande meat sausages. Furthermore, it remains a popular gift during Easter family visits in Ukrainian societies. This Ukrainian food is also often available in Poland along with the local dish babka. In Ukraine, the process of making this bread begins early in the morning on the occasion of Good Friday. On Easter morning people sink their teeth into the first piece.
Where to try: Krivka, Odessa
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4. years
If you are looking for the best Ukrainian breakfast food, then without a doubt start relying on salo with garlic. Salo, also known as the national Ukrainian dish, is a white pork fat. Due to the high energy content, this dish has become an integral part of the diet in Ukrainian cuisine.
Also serving as a popular Ukrainian snack, salo can be preserved for several days even without refrigerating when salted or smoked. Apart from Ukraine, this dish is equally popular in its neighboring countries Belarus and Russia. However Russian solos are slightly different from traditional Ukrainian solos. The Russian version includes pieces of meat, unlike traditional Ukrainian salvos which are prepared without using meat. Rather, a white layer of fat is used for that purpose.
Where to try: Café Centaur, Seven Piggies
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5. Cowbasa
Whether rural or urban Ukrainian families, they love to eat fragrant home-made Ukrainian sausages or kovbasa – as it is famously called. To make it tasty, thin shells are filled with ground meat, fat and spices. It is a fully cooked product, served both hot or cold. Whether you’re in Ukraine or Poland, you’ll find kovbasa/kobasa available for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.
Kowbasa is a general term in Ukraine denoting any sausage, while kielbasa is the general term for sausage in the Polish language. This simple but delicious sausage is prepared by combining spicy vodka with pork or beef and or paprika. Its taste and flavor improves with time. This dish has also gained popularity in America.
Where to try: Byczewski, Ukrainian courtyard
6. Vareniki
It is impossible to imagine Ukrainian cuisine without vareniki. Prepared from steamed dough with various fillings such as meat, mushrooms, vegetables, fruits and cheese etc., vareniki is not a festive dish. Its aroma and taste literally mesmerize people. It is taken either as a main dish or as a dessert as per the preference of the eaters. It is also known as pierogi in Ukrainian cuisine in some places.
Vareniki, like the rest of the food, has become popular around the world with different names, variations and fillings. For example, in Russia it is called “pelmeni” with meat stuffing. Locals in Ukraine also prefer sweet vareniki but sour cherry stuffed dishes are common. Food is a must have in Ukraine; Its taste and aroma truly make it a must-have for all occasions.
Where to try: Seven Piggies, Café Centaur, Fashion Club
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7. Potato Pancakes
Potato pancakes are also known as deruni in Ukraine. This popular dish is believed to have been invented in neighboring Belarus and local Ukrainians love to eat it. Prepared by mixing finely chopped raw potatoes with eggs and flour, these are delicious pancakes that are considered a Ukrainian breakfast favorite.
Deruny is also taken with tea. It is now available under different names around the world. This classic recipe has probably been a part of Ukrainian cuisine for many centuries. This recipe has stood the test of time due to its incredible taste and being loved by people of all ages. Pairing this recipe with sausage makes it wonderful to enjoy.
Where to try: Guy, Perwak
8. Gatekeeper
Kapusniak is a traditional Ukrainian soup that is popular in every household during the winter season. It ranks second in popularity after borscht due to its density, high nutritional value and rich taste. The recipe was named after its base ingredient, sauerkraut, also known as “kapusta” in the Ukrainian language. Pickled vegetables are added to this soup to add special flavor and sour taste.
The main ingredients of this soup are broth, cabbage and grains. Since these are easily available throughout the year, one can prepare this dish with them throughout the year. This soup used to be popular among farmers earlier. This will also be popular at weddings and funerals. Sooner or later this recipe became common and popular in all Ukrainian homes.
Where to try: Pervak, Zest
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9. Of Nalisni
Nalysnyky is one of the popular Ukrainian foods that has been part of the country’s food culture since ancient times. Also known as Ukrainian crepes, nalysnyki is a beautiful and delicate recipe with its popularity in almost all parts of the country. It is easily cooked in everyday meals, weddings and festivals. As a traditional Ukrainian food, nalysnyki are preferred as a main course meal.
Now popular all over the world, the same principle is used to prepare naliceniki everywhere with the main ingredients except some differences for the use of batter and stuffing etc. It is flavored with a touch of dill, cooked in ample butter and topped with caviar. Food lovers enjoy this dish at their table.
Where to try: Shumka Ukrainian Foods
10. Pumpushki
Pampushki is one of the famous and most sought-after Ukrainian sweets today. Known throughout the world as a festive food, this dessert is easy to cook and is privileged among all other Ukrainian sweets. It is filled with either jam or poppy seeds.
Pampuski, considered a popular dessert in Ukraine, is served with powdered sugar and sour cream on top. It is enjoyed as a tasty and delicious light meal with a cup of tea. Food lovers can enjoy this and many other popular Ukrainian snacks to desserts during their tour.
Where to try: Seven Piggies, Musafir
11. Okroshka
A well-known and frequently cooked favorite among locals, okroshka is a soup prepared in summer. This soup, which protects from sticky weather, is very tasty and refreshing. The ingredients including sausage, cucumbers, greens, carrots and radishes are cut into large pieces to give this soup a perfect texture.
Where to try: Kolo Vegan Restaurant, Kompot, O’Panas
12. Barush
Banush, once a food associated with poverty, has emerged as a favorite main dish in some of the best restaurants in the Carpathians. There can be many different recipes for this one dish in Western Ukraine, but traditionally barush is prepared with corn kernels, fried pork fat, and cheese. It is cooked over fire to get the smoky flavour. To make the taste richer, some recipes call for mushrooms in the porridge.
Where to try: Seven Pigs
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Whether you want to learn about Ukrainian food culture, or are yearning for a plate of delicious Ukrainian breakfast food, plan a trip to this country for a memorable dining experience. Enjoy Ukrainian cuisine with the family by tasting the abundant varieties available in this country. Your satiated craving for diverse cuisines ends here.
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FAQs about Ukrainian food
What is the most popular food in Ukraine?
Vareniki is the most popular food in Ukraine.
What do people drink in Ukraine?
Horylka is a Ukrainian black pepper vodka and one of the most common beverages among the locals.
What are the 12 Ukrainian Christmas dishes?
Kutya, kolaches, meatless borscht, stuffed salmon, fried fillets, pickled herring, meatless holubtsy, vareniki, broad beans, pidpanki with gravy, compote and pampushki.
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