12 Traditional Polish Dishes to Savor

So, the day has finally arrived!! You are about to leave for Poland. Do you want to know what the traditional cuisines of Poland are? Which ones you must try?? Well then continue reading our food blog till the end and get ready for a hearty feast.

Pro tip: While taking a food tour in Poland, remember to arrive empty stomach before a meal, as Polish cuisine is rich and served in generous portions.

Here is a list of 12 traditional Polish cuisines that you should not miss during your trip to Poland.

Come, join us on a food tour to:

• Krakow
• Warsaw
• Gdansk

1) Soups

Soups form an important part of a Polish meal. An average Polish person enjoys a bowl of soup at least a few times a week. Polish cuisine has more than 200 different types of soups and they vary from region to region.

Traditional polish soups are not creamy, but rather chunky, and taste unique when tasted for the first time. So let’s have a look at the ones you must try.

 

Read More: Where to Eat Traditional Polish Food in Gdansk

 

– Rosół: (roh-soow) is a common meat broth every Pole enjoys as their first course before dinner. This traditional broth is made out of chicken or beef, and served with other ingredients like noodles, chopped parsley, onion, green celery, cabbage, small leak and seasoned with pepper and salt. It’s a culinary cure for cold and flu or simply when you are feeling down.

– Soured Rye Flour Soup (Żurek): (ZHOO-rek): Have you ever tried having your soup served inside a bread bowl? Yes Zurek takes the soup tasting experience to another level. The soup is made of soured rye flour and usually contains pieces of either smoked bacon or sausage or ham, another version being boiled potatoes and eggs. The broth can be served in a soup plate or in an edible bowl made of bread. There is nothing that can warm your bones more than a bowl of Zurek on a cold winter day.

 

Know About The Best Polish Beers

 

-Red Borscht (Barszcz Czerwony): A beet soup commonly served during the feast on Christmas Eve. This nourishing soup is served either hot or cold, and is served using ‘Uszaka’, which means “little ears” the shape of the dumplings. Uszaka is filled with meat or cabbage and mushrooms. The recipe of the soup varies from region to region depending on local traditions. The soup has a deep colour and bold flavour, and after tasting it, you will not forget about it for a long time.

– Tripe (Flaki): The name is derived from its main ingredient i.e. thin cleaned strips of beef tripe, mixed with a variety of vegetables and aromatic herbs. It is also served alongside fresh rye bread for dipping. Its recipe varies across different regions of Poland. It is a common fixture at Polish weddings and a famous remedy for hangovers.

 

If you happen to be in or around Krakow, then try our Traditional Polish Food Tour in Krakow

 

 

2) Polish Dumplings (Pierogi)

The traditional Polish dumpling is similar to the Italian ravioli and Chinese dumplings. This classic is on every Polish grandma’s menu. The crescent-shaped dumpling can be filled with a variety of fillings.
The most common one being cabbage and mushrooms, potato and cheese, or simply meat (pork or beef). The sweet variety of Pierogi is also very popular and is usually filled with cottage cheese and raisins or fruits. They’re served in almost every restaurant across Poland and come in different variations, so make sure you try different types during your tour of Poland.

 

Read More: Try Traditional Polish Cuisine on Your Krakow Food Tour

 

3) Hunter’s Stew (Bigos)

Bigos is traditionally a winter dish and is prepared using ingredients like sauerkraut, cabbage, mushrooms, herbs and spices, and a variety of meats. It is best served with rye bread.
In Poland, this dish has been around for generations and its stewing process is unique. When cooked according to Polish traditions it takes between two to four days to prepare this dish. This allows the flavour of each ingredient to blend with the other. The dish turns more flavourful two or three days after cooking. In present times, due to high demand from locals and tourists, restaurants across Poland serve Bigos that has been prepared overnight. Pronounced (BEE-goss), it is also considered as the national dish of Poland and your food tour is incomplete without tasting this dish. Ah, it can also be served with a shot of vodka or two.

 

If you happen to be in or around Warsaw, then try our Traditional Polish Food Tour in Warsaw.

 

4) Cabbage Rolls (Gołąbki)

Gołąbki is a traditional Polish cuisine made of meat (pork or beef), chopped onions and rice or mushrooms with spices, wrapped into cabbage leaves. It is then baked or fried before being served and is generally accompanied by spicy tomato sauce. Top Tip: They taste best on the second and third day after being cooked. The word Gołąbki literally translates to “little pigeons” and there is an interesting legend attached to this dish. The army of King Kazimierz was fed to Gołąbki before a battle against the Teutonic Order, and their unlikely victory has been attributed to this tasty dish.

5) Potato Pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane)

You will find (PLAT-skee) dishes served at most Polish restaurants, cafes and milk bars. It is popular with locals and tourists, who are looking for a quick and cheap meal.

Placki is made from grated potatoes mashed with onion, spices, egg, and a touch of flour. It is fried in oil and served hot. It is finally topped with sour cream or sprinkled sugar. Another variation of this dish is called “Placek po Zbojnicku” which includes potato pancakes served with meat, sauce and salad.

6) Open-Faced Sandwiches (Zapiekanki)

This is one street food you should not miss while taking a food tour in Poland. Also known as “Polish Pizza”, this fast food can be relished after enjoying a night out clubbing or bar-hopping.
Zapiekanka is made with half a baguette toasted in the oven and features various combinations and ingredients like deli meat or sausage, mushrooms, peppers, cheese and is topped with ketchup. It is a trademark fast food in the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter of Cracow. And can be found at nearly every train station or fast food cabin across the country.

 

If you happen to be in or around Gdansk, then try our Traditional Polish Food Tour in Gdansk.

 

 

7) Polish Sausage (Kiełbasa)

Kiełbas’ or sausages is a staple Polish cuisine. It can be made out of pork, lamb, veal, turkey, or chicken – the sky’s the limit.

It also comes in different shapes and seasoning, which makes it extremely popular with locals and tourists. The most popular ones are the kabanosy, krakowska and biała.

The dish is often served at Polish weddings and is a traditional Easter breakfast. It can be added to other Polish foods like żurek, bigos, leczo and zapiekanki, which confirms its importance in Polish cuisine.

8) Kotlet Schabowy (Schnitzel)

The most famous lunch and dinner food item in Poland is the almighty “Kotlet Schabowy” served along with mashed potatoes and salads.

Basically, a breaded and fried pork chop (cutlet) is very similar to the Viennese Schnitzel. If you do not like pork meat, you can try chicken and it is prepared in a similar way. You can walk into any restaurant in Poland and be assured of its presence on the menu. The dish is not only satisfying but also a cheap alternative if you are on a budget trip during your Poland tour.

 

Please try our Traditional Polish Food Tour in Warsaw

 

9) Grilled Beef Rolls (Zrazy)

Zrazy is another traditional cuisine of Poland made from slices of beef, veal or game. It is pan-fried then stewed, before being rolled up and stuffed with different types of stuffing (breadcrumbs, mushrooms and cucumber).

There are many ways you can prepare this dish and its filling can always vary. In the olden times, Zrazy was reserved only for the Polish nobles, but nowadays it can be found in almost every restaurant across the country. A must-try dish during your food tour of Poland.

10) Cucumber Salad (Mizeria)

If you are invited for lunch or dinner to any Polish household you will surely find this dish accompanying your meal. Mizeria is a cool and creamy cucumber salad that is often served as a side dish along with meat or rice or any potato-based dish.

Sliced cucumbers are mixed with onions, dill, sour cream, vinegar or lemon juice along with a dash of salt and pepper, making it a refreshing addition to the spread. Did you know Mizeria (mi-ZER-ia) translates to misery?? Well, the origin of the name is not known, but it is believed the name was given as a joke, and somehow the name got stuck to this great snack.

11) Kompot

A glass of Kompot is a typical dinner drink in many Polish homes. It is a fruit beverage made by boiling fruits in water along with additional sweeteners, such as sugar or honey.

In most homes across Poland, this juice is prepared in summer and stored for the fall and wintertime. Warm or cold, the drink can be served any time of the year. Over the last few years, its popularity and consumption in public spaces have declined. But it can still be found in mom-and-pop style restaurants in Poland, or in any Polish grandmother’s kitchen.

12) Traditional desserts & sweet treats

We now move towards a ‘sweet ending’ of your food tour. The Polish have a long list of traditional desserts and iconic sweet treats. All cannot be included here so here are the most popular ones.

– Poppy Seed Cake (Makowiec)
According to Christian tradition, a poppy that contains a thousand seeds in a single head is a symbol of harvest and fertility. Therefore, the Polish believe eating a poppy-seed cake during Easter and Christmas will bring them luck.

Typically, the sweet rolled cake is filled with dark fruit and nuts. The ingredients in the filling include poppy seeds, walnuts, raisins, honey and egg whites. It is often topped with icing. This Polish dessert is certainly worth ticking off your list on your food tour of Poland.

– Polish Doughnuts (Pączki)
Paczki is Poland’s answer to the doughnut of the west. This sugar-topped bun is packed with many flavours. The most popular is rose, while other variations include chocolate, custard and strawberry. They are covered with powdered sugar or icing and sprinkled with freeze-dried orange zest.
They are sold in bakeries throughout the year, but according to tradition, the Polish eat them on Fat Thursday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Enjoy them hot or cold on your food tour of Poland.

– Cheesecake (Sernik)
Sernik is a traditional Polish cheesecake made from grounded fat cottage cheese with dried fruit and chocolate icing. In Poland, it is relished all year round, but it is specially made during Christmas and other celebrations. If you have a craving for sweets then you can enjoy several variations of it during your trip to Poland.

– Apple Pie (Szarlotka)
It is traditional Polish savoury, similar to an apple pie, it is buttery, a light pastry with a hint of cinnamon. It is served cold or warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. It is one of the most popular desserts and can be relished in bakeries and cafes across Poland.

Finally, ask your tour guide for recommendations for his/her favourite restaurants which you should try during your Poland tour. Do you know!! Most tour guides are foodies themselves; they can guide you to the best restaurants in their city.

If you have tried Polish food before, then tell us about your favourite; do share your food experience with us!!!