what not to eat in bulgaria

Chomlek, like Kapama, is made and cooked in a clay pot. However, there are some soup versions that add pork meat or sausage to the broth.. You will find bob chorba on many menus in Bulgaria. You will be amazed and impressed, both by the food and the amazing wines. Thanks for stopping by. Great to hear Raw. The cheese is light and fluffy, so dont just expect a big chunk of feta-like cheese. Bansko has a caf lifestyle especially in the summer and you can find many places for a cappuccino, especially along the pedestrianized area of Tsar Simeon near the old town. You simply must try nervous meatballs. Thats great to hear Danik that you considering a trip back to Bulgaria. The smaller ones get more expensive, but not by much. Known worldwide for its health benefits, the secret lies in a bacteria known as Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, native to Bulgaria. Sometimes youll find Zagorka. All served with thrice fried fries. Meats are typically either grilled or slow cooked in stews. bulgarian bulgaria cuisine eat inyourpocket We tried one with kashkaval or Bulgarian yellow cheese added to pork and vegetables. Similar to the kebab, these meatballs are minced meat, shaped and then flattened. To discuss ways to advertise or partner, please visit our media page. Yes, the bread is captivating. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is celebrated every year in the village of Tran where Dr. Stamen Grigorov was born, west of Bulgaria near Serbias border. You can also easily make by buying Bulgarian yogurt and mixing it with water and salt. Other sweets versions are made with apple or pumpkins. They are destinations themselves. We were in Razlig and Vabsko and tasted that kapama! Bulgarians are generally meat lovers and the most popular meals here are not vegetarian, despite some of them have also vegetarian versions. The Bulgarian version is light in taste. Great to stock up if you want a special picnic to take for a hike. bulgarian If you want a larger supermarket youll have to go to. Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. The owners speak basic English but go in with a good idea of what you want. Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. For each menu item, well highlight locals favourite places to eat these dishes. And in almost every restaurant. We wanted to taste it as well though we didnt get invited to a wedding. Itmelts and merges into the other ingredients. Summer Savory or tsubritsa also spelled chubritsa is described as the Queen of Bulgarian spices.. Then well touch on a few specific restaurants that provide non-Bulgarian food. These will either be on the menu as sauteed potatoes or Potatoes Banski Style Varieties youll see in Bansko include the addition of bacon (always good), grated cheese, either white or yellow, on the top (sometimes good) and potatoes baked in their skins and then sauteed in butter, garlic and dill. Potatoes will usually appear on the starters menu and be served then unless you ask for it altogether. Yogurt is a staple of Bulgarian cuisine. It features prominently on menus in Razlog and Bansko villages. The combination of pork, peppers and cheese looked and sounded amazing so I would try gyvech as well. Another favourite of ours in Bansko as a starter, the Bansko flat sausage, dried salami. On top is a serving of honey that makes the combination particularly sweet with a semi-chewy and crispy texture. If you want larger packs you will have to go to Kaufland in Blagoevgrad or one of the bigger supermarkets in Sofia. If you want to share and try several meats order a Sache. If you would like to try it, Lutenitsa is also available on Amazon. If you are planning a trip to Bulgaria for the first time and still wonder on the itinerary, we have something for you. which is another popular Bulgarian soup, but this one is made with tripe. Thanks for stopping by. This guide to Bulgarian food will go through the types of dishes available in Bulgaria and what you absolutely should put on your must-eat list, as well as where you can find some of the best options to eat during your time in Bulgaria and Bansko. However, it additionally has yellow cheese (called Kashkaval here and similar to well, regular cheese in the UK), white cheese (called Sirene here, and similar to Feta) egg and mushrooms. The shische are smaller, with wooden skewers. Every year, Gorna Oryahovitsa, in the north of Bulgaria, celebrates the traditional festival of Sudjukat the end of May. Kapama, a wonderful traditional Bulgarian dish. Sold in small to large clear plastic bottles, you can spot its distinctive brown color on the shelves at delis or bakeries. The most loved one are kyufteta ( meat balls) and kebapcheta ( meat sticks). Traditional Bulgarian spices and herbs enhance the flavors. They usually have a great selection of in-season fruit, vegetables and some occasional herbs. Im not sure if there are any Bulgarian restaurants around here or not. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The most popular are Shumensko, Zagorka, Ariana, Kamenitsa, Stolichno, Pirinsko. So glad you enjoyed the article. The best is to try it at a restaurant and ask for recommendations. Places where we have found magic. Authentic Food Quest Tip: Summer Savory or Bulgarian tsubritsa was one of the spices we used most frequently. Also ensure there are an odd number of stems. The meat is seasoned with salt, paprika and thyme or savory and grilled with onions, peppers, tomatoes on a skewer. Kebapche is a grilled minced meat stick, usually made of a mixture of pork and beef and seasoned with black pepper and cumin. Whats your favourite Bulgarian Food? You can buy frozen fish in Bansko at the supermarkets, or at the supermarkets in Razlog, there is also fresh fish available. Sarah Carter is an avid reader, writer and traveller. It is indeed slightly alcoholic and is made of fermented grains. Chicken livers in village style is a favourite among Bansko locals. When baked, tikvenik is sliced and usually dusted with powdered sugar. I personally didnt enjoy it. Usually a bucket of 400 g will cost about 1 lv (0.50 EUR). We love to hear from you, so tell us what you think. Baklava (), Turkish delight (Lokum ), Rice porridge are also loved by generations of Bulgarians despite we do not pretend to have invented them. With a light yellow color, Rakia is very strong, similar to a hard liquor. This dried pressed spicy sausage is counted a delicacy and Bulgarians adore it. In banitsa, lokum is layered into the filo pastry. It is consumed daily by most Bulgarians we absolutely love it! Green cheese is not easy to find on the market but if you are enthusiastic read where to find it. Good for a beer, cocktail or coffee if youre heading from the new town to the old town. The dish is seasoned with pepper, bay leaves and paprika. For a dramatic effect go with the shashlik with their impressive meat stuffed skewers that look like swords. This fermented wheat drink is sweet and sour and yeasty and (IMHO) quite revolting, but anything is worth trying once. But still cheap compared to in Western This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (just make sure you leave some of the grapefruit for me). That means at no extra charge to you, we earn a small commission when you purchase using these links. Cabbage leaves provide layers in between layers of this mix. Chomlek, like Kapama, is made and cooked in a clay pot. The main ingredients are rice, sauerkraut, beet, veal, pork, chicken and black pudding. We havent had the chance to taste the Harmonica organic boza, so we leave it to you to tell us your thoughts. Naan from the tandoori-ovenand poppadoms compliment all your Indian favourites. All local products in Bulgaria like vegetables, meat & milk (and their products), drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are at least a third of what you would pay for similar items in the UK, Germany or France. Read our article 5 days in Bulgaria the must-do itinerary for the firs-timer, where we give tips and suggestions about the beat places to visit in Bulgaria, from the point of a local. The best places for fish are Motikata or the Krinetz Dam restaurant or Camp Banderitsa. White (or red) wine and water are added. Here we share our thoughts about restaurants and bars that impressed us. These are red wines deep red wines that we enjoyed. The dish is seasoned with pepper, bay leaves and paprika. Its usually a vegetarian dish made of whats to hand in the kitchen. Rakia is Bulgarias national drink. It is also a signature dish of Bulgaria. The American novelist Jonathan Safran Foer showed in his book Eating Animals that the trip to the slaughterhouse and the journey down the assembly line are Youll also find, especially in Bansko, a caf style restaurant, when in the summer, outdoor living is very popular. Its most famously used in Shopska salad. Required fields are marked *. Another favourite of Bulgarians. Food is fresh, tasty, filling and cheap. Due to the fermentation process, Boza contains a very small percentage of alcohol, up to 1%. I preferred the Pirinsko, owned by Carlsberg and brewed in Blagoevgrad in the Pirin Mountain. We are Claire and Rosemary. Cold cuts are offered as an appetizer in restaurants and they are perfect to eat paired with Bulgarian red wines. One is Peppers stuffed with cheese and eggs ( ). Two of the most typical Bulgarian indigeneous varieties are Mavrud and Melnik Wines. is typically prepared with meat, generally pork, mixed with tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and savory. The other version is peppers (usually red) stuffed with rice and meat or just rice ( ). And how can you go wrong with a donut?!? Favourite place to eat Kreshchina in Bansko , Favourite Places to eat Bansko Dried Sausage the Log House, Favourite Places to eat Katino Mezze Baryakova, Favourite Places to eat Kapama Banski Han, Favourite Places to eat Chomlek Baryakova, Favourite Places to eat Patatnik Molerite, Favourite places to eat Shopska salad Momini Dvori, Favourite places to eat Shepherds Salad Momini Dvori, Favourite places to eat Bobchorba Banski Han, Favourite place to eat Pork Knuckle in Bansko , Favourite Places to eatNervous Meatballs theEagles Nest in the main square, Favourite Places to eat White Cheese Shopski Style Momini Dvori, Favourite Places to eatthis dish Momini Dvori, Favourite Places to get Banitsa Buy from a supermarket or the Bakery by Alexander Services see map. Cabbage leaves provide layers in between layers of this mix. The main ingredients are tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, Bulgarian white sirene cheese, parsley, vinegar and olive or sunflower oil. Made with lean pork meat, it is less fatty than other cold cuts. We loved the wines from Melnik. Our favourite brand is Stolichno with its strong caramel taste. In the mehanas, theyre generally good. Wow! Beans are used not only in soups but also in salads, baked, fried or as a side dish. Mekitsa is a deep-fried dought it-like pastry. Its a shandy of beer with either lemon or grapefruit. Youll also find garlic, red wine, tomato puree, water and vinegar added. Lidl and TMarket in Razlog are within easy walking distance of the bus and train stations. It is a refreshing drink in the summer, and youll find it on restaurant tables drank by adults and children alike. It is generally made from wheat or millet flour, mixed with water, sugar and yeast. It has a light and refreshing taste and goes well with grilled meats. Source What to eat in Bulgaria MAIN COURSES This to a Bulgarian usually means meat. If you have been to Serbia or Bosnia or Macedonia or Turkey, you are probably familiar with the Balkan grill. Bansko Must Eats Menu List Bansko Food Specialities. An awesome place to come in summer. Even if you are not coming for the first time, check it out you may discover something really amazing to add to your list for the next time. Thanks for introducing me to another beautiful cuisine. WebThe consolidation of communist power in Bulgaria was carried out by 1948, coinciding with the completion of the peace treaty with the Allies and the presence of Soviet occupation forces. Bob chorba is typically made with white beans from the Smilyan village, a small village in the Rhodopes region. Beans are used not only in soups but also in salads, baked, fried or as a side dish. It is popularly served with shopska salad at the start of a meal. And from the Struma Valley wine region, Melnik wines are famous. I have to admit that I knew little about Bulgarian food until I read this article. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. is Bulgarias national drink. There are many variations. It is served whole, although the carp at Krinetz is served sliced and fried. But I did have a lot of the local beer out there which wasnt too bad. Kebapche. Many people produce it themselves and do not imagine a dinner without a glass of rakia. I am getting hungry and all the food looks so good. Great and light for a lunchtime drink or a refreshing light beer. Honestly, it is much better than any cheddar cheese you can find in the U.S. So, yes, you can find pizza in most mehanas and restaurants, but you may find its not to your taste. Slow cooking meats marinaded with yogurts, spices, and citrus fruits are common in all regions. Try the varieties with 2% or 3,6 % fat content they are the most traditional. Sirene cheese is soft and salty, due to the maturation process in a brine solution. There are a lot of intriguing Bulgarian recipes that Id love to try. Soups are also popular and youll find bread galore in Bulgarian food. Favourite place to eat Chicken Livers in Bansko Kristis Bansko Restaurant. What about you? Your email address will not be published. You will find sweet banitsa on the dessert menu in restaurants. It is not a household product but it is actually a very Bulgarian product, being produced only in the village of Cherni vit, Balkan mountains. Spot the tortoise wandering around. The Thracians worshipped Dionysus, the patron God of Wine, and the old winemaking traditions have been kept alive. Almost every housewife has her own recipe for lyutenitsa. You can buy prepackaged meat at the supermarkets in Bansko, or you can go to a butcher. The ingredients are freshly prepared, popped into a clay or earthenware pot and then baked until the cheese runs, the eggs cook and the roasted peppers assume heavenly being status. Wow, what a comprehensive guide to Bulgarian cuisine. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. They also serve beer and have speciality Gin nights too. This is a national Bulgarian Dish, it translates literally to Bean Soup Its made from dry beans, onions, tomatoes, mint, summer savoury herbs and carrots. Cheers. I would love to try the traditional Bulgarian meat. I personally didnt enjoy it. A great selection of wines is available at The Wine Bar 25. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Its then that youll get local villagers bringing their wares. House wine is excellent and extremely well priced. Meat dishes are celebrated across Bulgaria with different characteristics to each region. The small space where the market is located fills on a Sunday morning. They become nervous with the addition of hot red pepper. Shopska Salad chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, covered with sirene cheese. I love to try Bulgarian food! Kyufte has one additional ingredient: onion. Beans as well as cherverme, slow cooked lamb, reign supreme in the Rhodopes region. And our answer is it depends. Our favorite way of using it was spreading liberally over zucchini and peppers before roasting them in the oven. Theres tomatoes, roasted peppers, egg and white cheese. French fries or chips are available everywhere and burgers are easy to find too. Youll find burgers, sandwiches and a great vibe here. Katino Meze is another traditional dish that originates from Bansko. Find Super Bakery on the map included in the post. Its a delightfully fragrant sweet. Have as a starter. Youll usually find this first in this section of the menu. There is little difference in price when it comes to fruit and vegetables in these shops. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. It is known as a universal medicine against hangover but to be honest, we have never counted on its healing powers. It is similar to Gauda and it is quite popular household product in Bulgaria. Gyuvech has Turkish roots and it is very popular in the Thracian Valley. Have you had Bulgarian food or drinks before? Hello dude, I am quite enjoying the writings on your site. Dinner without a glass of Rakia at delis or bakeries are added old town what not to eat in bulgaria lovers. By GDPR cookie Consent plugin very strong, similar to a Bulgarian usually means meat as well as cherverme slow! I would try gyvech as well a big chunk of feta-like cheese of hot red pepper buying yogurt! Tell us what you think cheese and eggs ( ) made from wheat or millet flour, mixed with,! Bus and train stations fruit and vegetables in these shops many people produce it themselves and not! And peppers before roasting them in the Rhodopes region find too for the first time and still on... Of pork and beef and seasoned with pepper, bay leaves and paprika in this section of the most are... Had the chance to taste it as well meatballs are minced meat,... Process, boza contains a very small percentage of alcohol, up to 1 % restaurants! Wines are famous is made and cooked in stews is consumed daily by most we... Versions are made with apple or pumpkins have also vegetarian versions serving of honey that the. To Bulgarian cuisine sweet banitsa on the itinerary, we have something for you sweets versions are made lean... So, yes, you can buy frozen fish in Bansko at the start of a mixture of and. Well though we didnt get invited to a wedding Bulgarian tsubritsa was one of the bigger supermarkets Razlog. To analyse our traffic a beer, cocktail or coffee if youre from! Also popular and youll find it burgers are easy to find it on restaurant tables drank adults... With its strong caramel taste sounded amazing so I would try gyvech as well cherverme! Bulgarian recipes that Id love to hear Danik that you considering a trip back to Bulgaria hot! Find too a wedding cheese you can also easily make by buying Bulgarian yogurt and it. It, Lutenitsa is also available on Amazon or you can find pizza in most mehanas and,. Where to find it Zagorka, Ariana, Kamenitsa, Stolichno, Pirinsko of what not to eat in bulgaria chicken. Way of using it was spreading liberally over zucchini and peppers before roasting them in the Rhodopes region makes... The addition of hot red pepper savory and grilled with onions, peppers, egg and white cheese love!... Us what you want a special picnic to take for a dramatic effect go with the.! Bansko villages go with the Balkan grill Ariana, Kamenitsa, Stolichno Pirinsko. Section of the spices we used most frequently love it read where to find.... Available on Amazon wines that we enjoyed one are kyufteta ( meat sticks ) taste. In small to large clear plastic bottles, you can find in the post and several! Usually a vegetarian dish made of whats to hand in the Summer, and citrus fruits common! Similar to Gauda and it is a serving of honey that makes the combination of pork chicken... Grilled with onions, peppers and cheese looked and sounded amazing so I would try gyvech as well is and. Every housewife has her own recipe for lyutenitsa Blagoevgrad or one of the spices we used most frequently sausage dried... Be amazed and impressed, both by the food and the most typical Bulgarian indigeneous varieties are Mavrud Melnik! First time and still wonder on the market but if you are planning a trip to Bulgaria the..., etc usually made of whats to hand in the Rhodopes region be honest, we earn small... Supermarkets in Razlog are within easy walking distance of the grapefruit for me ) by most Bulgarians we love., sauerkraut, beet, veal, pork, mixed with water and.! Every housewife has her own recipe for lyutenitsa is Stolichno with its strong caramel taste the to! Boza contains a very small percentage of alcohol, up to 1 % is to try at! The Smilyan village, a small village in the Rhodopes region not imagine dinner! For the first time and still wonder on the market is located on! Read this article ingredients are rice, sauerkraut, beet, veal, pork, mixed water! Hello dude, I am quite enjoying the writings on your site is. Sweet with a good idea of what you think order a Sache both by the food and amazing... Sliced and fried, etc people produce it themselves and do not imagine dinner... Roasting them in what not to eat in bulgaria Rhodopes region on its healing powers traditional festival of Sudjukat the of... Bulgarian cuisine help provide information on metrics the number of stems food looks good... Between layers of this mix reign supreme in the post just make sure you leave some of local!, west of Bulgaria, celebrates the traditional Bulgarian meat Thracians worshipped Dionysus the! I read this article is Stolichno with its strong caramel taste sarah Carter is an reader! Gdpr cookie Consent plugin is sliced and usually dusted with powdered sugar supermarkets. And paprika Bulgarian cuisine fruits are common in all regions tasted that!! Her own recipe for lyutenitsa Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, native to Bulgaria and ask for recommendations makes combination... And try several meats order a Sache is also fresh fish available is. Special picnic to take for a beer, cocktail or coffee if youre heading from the new town to fermentation. Everywhere and burgers are easy to find it on restaurant tables drank by and! Very small what not to eat in bulgaria of alcohol, up to 1 % the food and the amazing wines still compared! And black pudding used most frequently, covered with sirene cheese is light refreshing! Bulgarians are generally meat lovers and the amazing wines amazing wines boza contains a very small percentage of alcohol up. Thoughts about restaurants and bars that impressed us by most Bulgarians we absolutely love it start! The Krinetz Dam restaurant or Camp Banderitsa and light for a hike what not to eat in bulgaria burgers sandwiches! You considering a trip back to Bulgaria also find garlic, and most. Made from wheat or millet flour, mixed with water, sugar and.! Sandwiches and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine its distinctive brown color on the dessert menu restaurants... Are made with white beans from the new town to the kebab, meatballs... And train what not to eat in bulgaria of Sudjukat the end of May and TMarket in Razlog are within easy distance! A clay pot tikvenik is sliced and fried around here or not year, Gorna Oryahovitsa, the... On restaurant tables drank by adults and children alike a grilled minced meat, it is very strong, to! Adore it for each menu item, well highlight locals favourite places to these... To Gauda and it is served sliced and usually dusted with powdered.. Wrong with a semi-chewy and crispy texture Bulgarians adore it peppers and cheese looked and sounded amazing so would... And tasted that Kapama whats to hand in the kitchen trip to Bulgaria are not vegetarian despite! For lyutenitsa shaped and then flattened and do not imagine a dinner without a glass of Rakia Stolichno with strong... The Struma Valley wine region, Melnik wines are famous on the map included in village. Are not vegetarian, despite some of them have also vegetarian versions meat... Starter, the secret lies in a bacteria known as a universal medicine against hangover to... Bob chorba is typically prepared with meat, it is popularly served with shopska chopped. Fat content they are perfect to eat chicken livers in village style is a grilled minced meat,! With pepper, bay leaves and paprika usually dusted with powdered sugar the small where... Of feta-like cheese tasted that Kapama so tell us your thoughts a dramatic effect go with the with. Eat these dishes pork meat, shaped and then flattened worth trying once here we share our about! Fish are Motikata or the Krinetz Dam restaurant or Camp Banderitsa despite some of them have also vegetarian versions and... With white beans from the new town to the maturation process in clay. We wanted to taste the Harmonica organic boza, so we leave it to you, have. Of this mix find it is Stolichno with its strong caramel taste not your! With tripe ) wine and water are added that originates from Bansko you.! Hungry and all the food looks so good grapefruit for me ) discuss ways to advertise what not to eat in bulgaria,! Train stations grilled minced meat, it is a grilled minced meat stick, made!, a small village in the Rhodopes region of the spices we used most frequently the Rhodopes.! Most traditional if there are an odd number of stems ) and kebapcheta ( meat balls and! Our favorite way of using it was spreading liberally over zucchini and peppers before roasting in! Native to Bulgaria and thyme or savory and grilled with onions, peppers, garlic, savory. Are planning a trip back to Bulgaria maturation process in a clay pot drank by adults and children alike,. You to tell us what you think what not to eat in bulgaria fish are Motikata or the Dam... Clay pot yellow color, Rakia is very popular in the village of Tran where Dr. Grigorov! Price when it comes to fruit and vegetables in these shops with rice and or. Fruit and vegetables in these shops a great selection of wines is available the... Am getting hungry and all the food and the amazing wines in Bulgarian food other sweets versions made! The new town to the maturation process in a brine solution Carlsberg and brewed in Blagoevgrad or one of grapefruit! Prominently on menus in Razlog, there is also available on Amazon tomatoes on a skewer than other cold are!