A Complete Guide Traditional Russian Food || 14 Must Try Dishes
Discover The Beauty of Traditional Russian Food
Russia – known for the Red Square, vodka and the trans-siberian rail.
But what about Russian cuisine?
When we talk of the great cuisines of the world, Chinese, Italian, Japanese – Russia rarely gets a mention.
However, we want to shine a light on some of the wonderful, traditional Russian dishes today – there’s more than you may realise!
From hearty stews to rich desserts, Russian food is sure to please your taste buds.
So what are you waiting for? Get cooking! Here are some of the best Russian foods to try.
Traditional Russian Food || Borscht
Traditional Russian Food || Pelmeni
Traditional Russian Food || Blini
Traditional Russian Food || Solyanka
Traditional Russian Food || Olivier Salad
Traditional Russian Food || Pirozhki
Traditional Russian Food || Vareniki
Traditional Russian Food || Beef Stroganoff
Traditional Russian Food || Shashlik
Traditional Russian Food || Golubtsy
Traditional Russian Food || Ikra
Traditional Russian Food || Kholodets
Traditional Russian Food || Morozhenoe
Traditional Russian Food || Pashka
Traditional Russian Food || FAQs
Traditional Russian Food || Borscht
борщ | One of the most popular dishes in Russia
Whilst борщ is widely regarded as Ukrainian, we couldn’t not include this dish simply for its popularity in the Slavic countries.
Borscht is a vigorous soup made with beetroot, vegetables, and often meat or sausage.
Due to these ingredients, specifically the beetroot – it takes on a distinct red colour.
DID YOU KNOW || The vegetables used in borscht vary depending on the region and the season, but common ingredients include potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, and tomatoes.
Borscht is often suited with a dollop of sour cream on top and can be accompanied by a variety of side dishes such as boiled potatoes, rye bread, or pickles (as you can see in the picture above)
Borscht is often served at celebrations such as Christmas, Birthdays and Easter and is considered a symbol of hospitality and abundance.
DID YOU KNOW || There are many variations of борщ. Different regions and cultures add their own twists to this wonderful dish.
Ukrainian borscht is typically made with a mixture of meats, such as pork, beef, and sausage, as well as beans and sauerkraut. Jewish borscht, however (also known as cholent), is a slow-cooked stew that is traditionally served on the Sabbath.
If there is one dish that symbolises Russian cuisine – it’s Borscht. Must try!
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Traditional Russian Food || Pelmeni
пельнянь | Dumplings typically filled with meat but can also be vegetarian
Pelmeni are the holy grail of comfort food!
Whether you stuff them with juicy beef, decadent cheese, or hearty vegetables, пельнянь will always hit the spot.
Just pop them in a pot of boiling water and they cook in minutes.
They’re an ideal weeknight meal that can be eaten alone or served with any type of sauce – sour cream, butter, or even chilli oil.
Pelmeni brings communities together through shared experiences and is a symbol of love and friendship.
Whether at someone’s home or in restaurants around the world where these little dumplings can be found, пельнянь represents something bigger.
Traditional Russian Food || Blini
блины | Russian pancakes that are often served with caviar or salmon
блины, the traditional Russian pancake!
Blini have in fact been around for centuries and are a delicious treat that make for a great meal!
Soft, yet spongy on the inside and light golden brown on the outside.
Blini are often served with heavenly accompaniments such as caviar or salmon.
DID YOU KNOW || Savoury dishes like блины are thought to bring good fortune when served to guests on special occasions.
TOP TIP || If you’re ever looking for an easy yet impressive way to wow your family or friends, consider whipping up these fluffy carbohydrates – you won’t be disappointed!
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Traditional Russian Food || Solyanka
соля́нка | A soup usually made with beef, pork, or fish stock, and vegetables
Another dish that originates from Ukraine (back in the 17th century).
соля́нка is a unique and flavorful soup that has been around for centuries.
This traditional Russian dish typically uses beef, pork, or fish stock as its base and then includes some variety of vegetables and pickles.
It’s often described as being sour-spicy because of the combination of citrus juice, olives, capers, peppers, bay leaves, and other spices added in its preparation.
DID YOU KNOW || Despite how complicated the flavours might sound, Solyanka is quite easy to make.
All you need are those core ingredients along with a little patience — it takes a while for all of the flavours to really come together.
Once done though, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible soup that’s sure to spice up just about any meal.
And look at the end result 👇
Traditional Russian Food || Olivier Salad
салат Оливье | A salad made with potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and mayonnaise
салат Оливье is a unique and versatile dish, often served at Russian holidays and family celebrations.
The traditional recipe calls for potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and mayonnaise as the main ingredients.
First, boiled potatoes and eggs are chopped into cubes and then mixed in with carrot shavings and green peas for extra flavour.
The finished product is lightly dressed with mayonnaise to give it a rich creaminess that ties the flavours together.
It’s an incredibly tasty blend of crunchy vegetables and creamy mayonnaise that makes Olivier Salad an irresistible dish.
Whether it’s presented as a side dish or as the centrepiece – this Russian salad is one that always goes down well with family and friends alike.
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Traditional Russian Food || Pirozhki
пирожки́ | Pastries filled with meat, potatoes, cabbage, or fruit
Pirozhki are a delicious and filling treat for any time of the day!
These traditional Russian pastries are small, soft pillows of dough that come filled with meat, potatoes, cabbage, or even fruit.
TOP TIP || Deliciousness aside, they’re also super convenient, take a couple with you if you are on the go and in need of a snack.
пирожки́ are super versatile too.
Attend a party and bring some savoury ones filled with cheese and vegetables, or grab some sweet ones to satisfy your cravings for something sugary!
Either way, you’re onto a winner with those delicious little pockets.
Traditional Russian Food || Vareniki
варе́ники | Another type of dumpling that can be sweet or savory
варе́ники is an awesome dish that has been around for generations and is another type of dumpling.
Vareniki is a delicious dough pocket, filled with flavourful ingredients and can be either savoury or sweet.
DID YOU KNOW || You can find варе́ники stuffed with mashed potatoes, cheese, mushrooms, fruit, cottage cheese, and even cherries — so there’s a flavour for everyone.
They’re made by boiling the dough in a pot of salted water until they swell and become fluffy and hearty.
Serve them steaming hot with melted butter and sour cream; they make a great snack or entree — especially when served with a hefty side of kompot (компот), which is a traditional Russian drink.
Traditional Russian Food || Beef Stroganoff
бефстро́ганов | A classic Russian dish of sautéed beef in a creamy mushroom gravy
бефстро́ганов (pronounced almost the same as the English beef stroganoff) is one of those classic dishes that often represents Russia’s cuisine in the culinary world.
It’s made by sautéing strips of beef until they’re golden brown and then simmering them in an incredibly flavourful mushroom sauce.
Onions, garlic, and mushrooms are added to give it an extra layer of flavour, while sour cream thickens the sauce into a creamy delight.
Serve this over hot egg noodles or mashed potatoes for the perfect, hearty dish.
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Traditional Russian Food || Shashlik
шашлык | Skewered, grilled meat including lamb, pork and beef
шашлык is a popular and beloved dish in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe.
It is made with various types of meat, such as lamb, beef, or pork, and is typically marinated in a mixture of spices and herbs before being grilled to perfection.
шашлык can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as pitta bread, vegetables, and sauces.
It’ll come as no surprise that this is a popular choice for outdoor barbecues and gatherings.
Traditional Russian Food || Golubtsy
Голубцы | Cabbage rolls with a meat filling
Голубцы are stuffed cabbage rolls filled with minced meat and rice, wrapped in a cabbage leaf and then cooked in tomato sauce.
It’s classic comfort food that everyone loves!
TOP TIP || The key to making golubtsy is the perfect balance of flavours. The mixture of spices, herbs, onions, garlic, and beef yields a delicious blend of tastes that truly bring out the best in each ingredient.
After rolling the cabbage leaves around the ground beef and rice filling, they are cooked in a tomato-based sauce until tender and fragrant.
Serve them over some mashed potatoes or with a side of buttered bread for an authentic Russian meal that is sure to satisfy any appetite.
Golubtsy is both comforting and delicious — perfect for chilly nights or anytime you need something hearty.
Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
Traditional Russian Food || Ikra
икра́ | “The Russian Caviar”
икра́ is a delicacy made from the eggs of sturgeon fish.
It is a popular and luxurious food in Russia and has a long history dating back to the days of the Russian Empire.
Ikra is typically served as an appetizer and is enjoyed on its own or spread on top of crackers or toast, just like the caviar you know and love.
Unsurprisingly, икра́ is often associated with wealth and luxury.
Traditional Russian Food || Kholodets
холодец | Jellied Meat or Fish
Not so easy on the eye this one, but we had to include it given how beloved this dish is through eastern Europe.
Kholodets is a traditional Russian dish made from meat or fish that is set in a gelatine broth and served cold.
холодец is typically made with various types of meat such as beef, pork, or chicken and seasoned with various spices such as paprika and caraway seeds.
Trust us when we say this isn’t anywhere near as bad as you might think. Give it a go!
TOP TIP || Eat холодец with a side of hot mustard, a shot of Russian vodka, and you have yourself an authentic Russian experience!
Traditional Russian Food || Morozhenoe
мороженое | Traditional Russian ice cream
Onto the sweet and tasty treats now!
мороженое is (of course) a popular and beloved treat in Russia and has a long history dating back to the days of the Russian Empire.
It is typically made with a custard base and is churned in an ice cream maker until it creates a smooth and creamy texture, just like the ice cream you enjoy every summer!
In Russia though, мороженое is a popular and refreshing treat that is enjoyed throughout the year – not just the hot summer months!
You can grab a мороженое on the streets quite easily and they’ll be plenty of flavours for you to choose from.
Traditional Russian Food || Pashka
па́сха | A type of cream cheese and fruit egg custard popular during Easter
Another sweet dish, па́сха is a traditional Russian dairy dessert made from milk and is often flavoured with various ingredients such as fruit, nuts, or spices.
Pashka is traditionally served at Easter and symbolizes renewal and rebirth.
DID YOU KNOW || This is another popular snack food in Russia that can be found at outdoor markets and food stalls.
You can enjoy па́сха on its own or as a topping for assorted desserts such as cake or pie.
There we have it – 14 amazing Russian dishes you have to try! What do you think? Tell us your favourite in the comments below.
Whilst we’re talking about food…
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Finally, to top it all off here are the best Japanese foods to binge on when travelling to Japan. It’s not all about Sushi!
OK, that’s enough food talk for today… Hope you’re hungry!
Traditional Russian Food || FAQs
What are pelmeni?
Pelmeni are a type of Russian dumpling typically filled with meat (although there are vegetarian offerings too).
What is Pelmeni in Russian letters?
Pelmeni in Cyrillic letters is пельнянь.
Is Borscht Russian?
Actually, борщ is widely regarded to be a Ukrainian dish.
With that being said, Borscht is enjoyed throughout the Slavic countries and eastern Europe with many variations of the dish prevelant.
What Russian dessert is typically enjoyed over the Easter period?
Pashka (па́сха) is traditionally served at Easter and symbolizes renewal and rebirth.
DID YOU KNOW || This is another popular snack food in Russia that can be found at outdoor markets and food stalls.
You can enjoy па́сха on its own or as a topping for assorted desserts such as cake or pie.
Do Russian eat caviar?
Yes, caviar is enjoyed in Russian. It is known as Ikra (икра́ ).
What is Shashlik?
Shashlik (шашлык) is a popular and beloved dish in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe.
It is made with various types of meat, such as lamb, beef, or pork, and is typically marinated in a mixture of spices and herbs before being grilled to perfection.
шашлык can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as pitta bread, vegetables, and sauces.
What is салат Оливье?
салат Оливье is Olivier Salad in English.
In a nutshell this is a salad made with potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and mayonnaise.
It’s very popular in Russia!
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