Ukrainian national cuisine varies from region to region, but overall it’s generally very delicious and nutritious. Ukrainian recipes are simple, and typical ingredients can be found at every market across the country. Its simplicity can be explained by the fact that most recipes were created ordinary peasants who needed to cook calorie-packed meals quickly. They couldn’t afford expensive ingredients as their everyday work was hard and poorly paid, so they generally used fruit and vegetables from their own gardens.
Although many foreigners are familiar with the most common Ukrainian dishes, they are still definitely worth trying:
Borshch: A well-known and very delicious red soup with meat and vegetables that’s typically served hot with garlic bread.
Vareniki: Stuffed dumplings of unleavened dough traditionally filled with potato and mushrooms, however variations such as cherry or cabbage are also common. This dish is served hot with sour cream.
Deruny or draniki: The first is made with marrow and the second is made with potato – both look like small pancakes. Again, this dish is served with sour cream.
Salo: Pork that’s typically served with gorilka (vodka) and pickled cucumbers.
If you’re more interested in tasting less well-known Ukrainian dishes that never make it to foreigners’ plates, however, read on. Our Kiev local Yanna has shared some of her favourites.
1. Krovyanka – Blood Sausage
Ukrainian blood sausage is made from a mix of cow’s blood and buckwheat. It’s traditionally eaten as a snack, but it can also be served hot with a savoury sauce as a main dish. Interesting fact: it’s an essential dish on every special occasion, including weddings, funerals and national holidays.
Photo credit: Mamayeva Sloboda
2. Gribna Yushka – Mushroom Soup
This soup is made with meat bouillon, white mushrooms and spring onions, and is typically served with sour cream. Some restaurants prefer to serve it puréed. As an additional tip I can say that I tasted the most delicious variations of this soup on skiing holidays in the Carpathian Mountains.
3. Pechenya – Roast Meat
Ukrainian men love pechenya because one of the main ingredients is meat, while Ukrainian women love it because it’s pretty easy to handle. It’s basically a mix of smashed potato, roast meat and vegetables, sometimes seasoned with hot spices. It’s traditionally cooked in the oven and served in a clay pot with (surprise, surprise!) sour cream and dill.
4. Golubtsi – Stuffed Cabbage Leaves
Golubtsi is one of Ukraine’s most popular traditional dishes, originating from the end of the 19th century. It’s basically rolled cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of chopped meat and boiled rice, typically served in its own gravy with, you guessed it, sour cream (yes, we are big fans of this stuff).
5. Uzvar – Compote with Dried Fruit
This is a national religious drink with a rich history dating back to dark medieval times. If you want to make uzvar at home, simply soak the dried fruit (apples and pears are a must) in cold water with honey or sugar for at least three hours, then transfer it to a huge pot, cover with water, bring to the boil and add more honey or sugar. Refrigerate the liquid until chilled and then it’s ready! Obviously this one is served without sour cream…
You can try all of these dishes and many other traditional Ukrainian delicacies at Puzata Hata in Kiev.
Yanna was born in Potsdam (Germany), raised in Kiev, spent her teen years in Crimea, then came back to Kiev and moved straight to the Baltics. Although she has spent just 10 years out of 23 in Kiev, she knows loads of interesting things about her city and takes pleasure in discovering hidden places for her readers. If you need any help during your stay in Kiev, Yanna will gladly share her knowledge!
Opening photo credit: Howard Walfish
All other photos from: Mamayeva Sloboda