Ukraine is world-famous for its cultural heritage, one of the components of which is its national cuisine. However, it is not just borsch, varenyky and pampushky. Here is a list of 15 dishes that are a must-try in Ukraine

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Gastro-tourism as a way of learning about national culture has recently become increasingly popular. It is expressed in the form of rural tourism (for example, visiting villages in Volyn, where frogs are still put into milk to prevent it from spoiling) and urban tourism (routes to food processing plants in Kyiv and Dnipro regions). We bring to your attention 15 dishes that will satisfy the most demanding tastes of gastro tourists and which you should definitely try during your visit to Ukraine - read the article.

1. Borsch - you can try it in every corner of Ukraine

Of course, each of us knows that borsch is a symbol of Ukrainian cuisine. It's a red, rich soup to which each region adds something different - beans, lard, tomatoes, etc. The historical roots of the dish have only recently been recognised by the international community - in 2022, UNESCO added borsch to the list of intangible cultural heritage.

You canlearn more about the most famous traditional Ukrainian dishes and drinks on our website here.

2. Kapusnyak - a unique traditional dish

The second most popular traditional Ukrainian dish is made from fresh white cabbage and millet. The combination of sweet and sour flavours leaves an interesting aftertaste that is only possible in Ukrainian kapusnyak. The finished dish has a thick consistency without particles of other substances. You can try kapustnyak in traditional restaurants in any town in Ukraine.

For more dishes that foreigners should try in Ukraine, follow this link.

3. Jellied meat - a traditional holiday dish

Jellied meat is a real novelty for foreign tourists, because in European countries, the broth is mostly hot and the jelly is sweet. Ukrainians, on the other hand, cool the broth with pieces of meat (chicken, pork, beef) and then serve it on the festive table. The pork hooves and bones, which are sometimes added to the broth, are particularly impressive. You'll find jellied meat in restaurants less often, so we recommend checking the menu before visiting.

If you want Ukrainian culinary exoticism, follow the link. We have something to surprise you!

4. Kalach is good not only at Christmas

Christmas has passed, but the shelves of bakeries in Ukraine are still filled with kalach. So now is the time to try this traditional Ukrainian ritual delicacy. Kalachs are made from white flour, the dough is intertwined and twisted to create a hole in the middle. You don't need to go to a traditional restaurant to try a kalach - you can buy one at the nearest bakery.

You can learnmore about traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes on the Visit Ukraine portal.

5. Bograch unites Ukrainians and Hungarians

You can try bohrach, a meat dish with bacon, potatoes, carrots, onions, kohlrabi cabbage and spices, in the villages of Zakarpattia. Several centuries ago, bograch was a traditional Hungarian dish, but the multiculturalism of the region has played a role, and the tradition has been ‘divided’. Bograch is traditionally cooked over a fire in an open cauldron.

6. Okroshka is a legacy of Volodymyr the Great

For a long time, scientists could not understand the origin of another traditional Ukrainian dish, okroshka. Eventually, they came to the conclusion that the dish originated in the Middle Ages, when Prince Volodymyr the Great of Kyiv ordered people to distribute ‘food, honey and kvass’. Kvass became the basis of a cold soup to which honey and herbs were added. It is a traditional dish of Eastern Ukraine, so look for it in Kyiv and Poltava and be sure that the recipes will differ dramatically.

7. Dumplings or pies?

A dish made from lean dough with a variety of fillings is called varenyky in the East and pies in the West. Researchers claim that the dish dates back to pre-Christian times. In every corner of Ukraine, varenyky are filled with potatoes, onions, cheese, cherries, blueberries... There are also original variants: in Chernihiv region - with cracklings, in Zakarpattia - with brynza, in Polissia - with crushed beans.

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8. Kulish is a Cossack heritage

Kulesh has more than half a millennium of history behind it. It was a favourite dish of Ukrainian Cossacks and Chumaks who travelled south to buy salt. The dish is based on millet, to which potatoes, carrots, lard, onions and herbs are added. Real kulesh is always thick and rich.

9. Banosh - the most famous dish of Galician cuisine

To try banosh, go to Zakarpattia - it is cooked here almost every day. It takes more than a day to make a real Galician banosh. First, sheep's sour cream or cream is stored in the pantry for 3 days, and only then is corn grits added. Banosh is cooked in a cauldron over an open fire and seasoned with feta cheese, porcini mushrooms or bacon.

Readall about the gastronomic attractions of Zakarpattia on the Visit Ukraine portal.

10. Stuffed cabbage rolls - on weekdays and holidays

Cabbage rolls are not etymologically a Ukrainian dish, but they have long been traditional. In most regions, cabbage rolls are cooked on weekdays, and only in some regions of the Right Bank - only on holidays. To make cabbage rolls, good cabbage leaves are selected, steamed or fermented, and then stuffed with minced cereal, fried onions with cracklings or meat. In the past, meat was added only on holidays, but nowadays such cabbage rolls are much more common.

11. Pancakes - kings of the North and East

Traditional Ukrainian potato pancakes are most common in the eastern and northern regions. They are also called kremzlyky, terchanyky, rysylovanyky, etc. Deruny are grated potatoes mixed with onions, flour, eggs and salt. They are prepared quickly and are available in almost every traditional Ukrainian restaurant.

12. Kyiv cutlet - the capital's gastronomic speciality

The main ingredient of the dish is chicken fillet fried in breadcrumbs. The filling of the cutlet is liquid, with the addition of butter, herbs and spices. The cutlet appeared on the tables of Ukrainians at the beginning of the 20th century, but it has been actively cooked since the 60s.

Find the best restaurants in the capital on the recommendation of Misha Katsurin and Anton Ptushkin on Visit Ukraraine.

13. Poltava dumplings - a traditional dish of the central regions

Ukrainians used to cook dumplings in all regions, but they took root in Poltava region. In the centre of the city, you can even see a monument to the dumpling and attend a festive festival. And not far away, near the Gogol Theatre, you can try dozens of varieties of this lean dish.

14. Tulka meatballs - the youngest tradition

Bytochky are perhaps the youngest attribute of Ukrainian cuisine. They came here during the Second World War. Traditionally, they take fresh seal, roll it in an egg-mayonnaise mixture and fry it in oil.

15. Shovdar - the record holder for cooking time

Shovdar is cooked in Zakarpattia on major holidays. Each owner has his own recipe, but the traditional one is as follows: pork ham is rubbed with saltpeter, sugar, salt and spices and placed in a tub full of salt for 3 (!) weeks. Then the fat is cleaned of salt and placed in a smokehouse for 3 days. Ready-made shovdar can be eaten raw, boiled or fried.

Each region of Ukraine is famous for its unique culture, traditions developed over the centuries, and, of course, its cuisine. If you can't decide on a region, start with the most popular routes - to Kyiv or Lviv. You will definitely be impressed by the variety of options on offer for gastro tourists.

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