Russian food is the type that doesn’t just fill your stomach, it speaks to your soul. These meals are born from long winters and centuries of traditions. Think of things like soups, pies, mouth watering dumplings and sweet treats that blend perfectly with a cup of tea on a cold winter.
So, if you have ever been curious to know how it feels to sit at a Russian family table, these 20 dishes will capture that moment perfectly.
1. Борщ (Borscht)
When it comes to Russian cuisines, no list can start without Борщ. This is a beetroot soup that is a star of Russian cooking getting love across the country.
It usually comes with cabbage, potatoes, carrots and tender beef, depending on each family’s preference. And of course, the bowl is not complete without being topped with sour cream and a slice of rye bread.
2. Солянка (Solyanka)
Solyanka is a thick, tangy soup made with smoked meats, pickles, olives and a squeeze of lemon. It is very soothing and a favorite for cold mornings. In fact many Russians joke by calling it the ultimate hangover cure.
3. Щи (Shchi)
This soup has fed many Russians for centuries. It is simple yet filling having been made with either fresh or fermented cabbage, potatoes and sometimes meat.
This dish is so important to Russians that there is a saying that goes “Shchi and kasha are our food.”
Try pairing it with black bread and you will understand why this dish never goes out of style.
4. Уха (Ukha)
This is a light and fragrant fish soup that has been a love of many since the medieval times. Traditionally, this soup was made with river fish, potatoes, carrots and herbs then simmered just enough to make the broth golden.
Sometimes, a splash of vodka is added at the end to add some warmth to it.
5. Окрошка (Okroshka)
Okroshka is usually a summer dish. This chilled soup is very refreshing. It comes with chopped cucumbers, potatoes, radishes, eggs and meat. It is then topped with kefir (a fermented rye drink) or kvass.
6. Салат Оливье (Olivier Salad)
This dish is known worldwide as Russian salad. It is not only creamy, and filling but it is always present on festive tables.
It is made with potatoes, peas, eggs, pickles, chicken or ham and then coated in creamy mayonnaise. It is especially popular at New Year’s.
7. Винегрет (Vinegret)
Vinegret is a colorful salad made from beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles, and sauerkraut.
It is usually slightly sweet, a little tangy, and beautifully pink, therefore it is served as a side dish as it adds a splash of color to the table.
8. Селедка под шубой (Seledka pod shuboi / Dressed Herring)
This layered salad is as much about presentation as flavor. Pickled herring is covered with grated beets, carrots, potatoes, onions, and mayonnaise, creating a rainbow-colored dish.
It is a must-have dish at New Year celebrations in Russia and a favorite among those people who love bold flavors.
9. Шашлык (Shashlyk)
Think of Shashlyk as a Russian version of barbecue. Shashlyk is basically skewered and grilled meat, usually either pork or lamb, which is marinated until tender. It is then cooked over open coals, to make it smoky, juicy, and best enjoyed outdoors with friends.
10. Пельмени (Pelmeni)
Pelmeni is most of the time referred to as Russia’s national dish. These are tiny dumplings wrapped in thin dough, stuffed with minced meat which are then boiled until tender.
It is eaten with sour cream, butter or even a splash of vinegar making them perfect for sharing. This gives you the feeling of home.
11. Вареники (Vareniki)
Vareniki is similar to pelmeni but usually vegetarian. It comes filled with potatoes, sauerkraut or mushroom if you are going for a savory taste, or with berries or cherries if you are going for a sweet taste.
They are usually slightly bigger and softer and are often topped with butter, sugar or sour cream.
12. Холодец (Holodets)
This is one of the most unusual dishes in Russia and not for the faint of heart especially if you are a newcomer.
It is usually a meat jelly made from rich broth and gelatin then served cold with mustard or horseradish. This dish is a holiday tradition especially around New Year.
13. Каша (Kasha)
Kasha simply means porridge, but in Russia it is a whole category of meals.
Whether made from buckwheat, millet, or oats, it is nourishing, simple, and endlessly adaptable. It is then eaten sweet with milk and sugar or savory with butter and mushrooms.
14. Блины (Bliny/Crepes)
Blini are basically like Russian pancakes only thinner. They are usually served with honey, jam, sour cream, caviar or even smoked fish. They are usually enjoyed all year round but mostly during Maslenitsa, the Pancake Week, where families make stacks of them to welcome spring.
15. Пирожки (Pirozhki)
These golden, hand-sized stuffed buns are Russia’s favorite snack. They can either be baked or fried and filled with anything from meat and mushrooms to cabbage or jam.
They are sold in bakeries, train stations and kitchens alike. Trust me, bite into one and you will finally understand why Russians can’t get enough of them.
16. Сырники (Syrniki)
Made from творог which is a type of farmers’ cheese, these little golden pancakes are crispy outside and tender inside. They are usually served with either jam or honey, syrniki are a sweet breakfast favorite that doubles as dessert.
17. Пряники (Pryaniki)
These are simply Russian gingerbread cookies. Pryaniki are usually soft, spiced, and often glazed with honey or decorated. They are enjoyed with tea, especially during holidays.
18. Квас (Kvass)
Kvass is a traditional fermented drink made from rye bread. Kvass is slightly fizzy, tangy, and low in alcohol. It is even sold on street corners in big yellow barrels during summer.
19. Маринованные овощи (Pickled Vegetables)
From cucumbers to tomatoes, mushrooms to garlic, pickled vegetables are everywhere in Russian cuisine. They are tangy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. Pickled vegetables are served at almost every meal, especially in winter, when fresh produce is scarce.
20. Варенье (Varenye)
Varenye is a simple homemade jam made from berries or fruit preserved with sugar. Unlike regular jam, the fruit often stays whole, floating in sweet syrup. It is served with tea or on pancakes.
Wrapping up
Russian cuisines are not just simple recipes, they are hearty meals that give a feeling of nostalgia. Be it a steaming bowl of borscht or a simple sweet jam like varenye, all these meals have a story to tell.
So, if you ever find yourself at a Russian table, expect all forms of flavors to choose from.
