10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (2024)

Just one taste of Plombir ice cream and you’ll fall in love with Russian cuisine. Guaranteed! And once you do, there’s no turning back.

Want to learn about Russian food? The Russian supermarket in your city is a great starting point. We bet you’ll find lots of delicious things there!

1. Sunflower seeds

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (1)

The Arbat store, Budapest.

Maria Stambler

For many Russians, fried sunflower seeds taste even better than popcorn or other snacks. So much so that Russia is a world leader not only in producing but also importing, sunflower seeds. They’re mostly used for making oil, of course, but have you ever tried chewing on them? And although it’s probably not great to do so it in public places — the discarded husks make a mess, after all — it is impossible to stop! It’s also relaxing and even a kind of meditation for some people.

2. Vareniki

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (2)

The Gourmanoff store, New York.

Gourmanoff

This is one type of dumpling. But what is the difference betweenvarenikiandpelmeni? Well,pelmeniuse raw fillings (usually meat or fish), whilevarenikiare stuffed with ingredients that are already cooked. The most popular fillings are cherries,tvorog, potatoes, mushrooms, and minced meat. One way to tell them apart is thatvarenikiare traditionally made in the shape of a semicircle. Likepelmeni,varenikigo great with sour cream. Sweet dumplings can also be served with jam, while savory ones go well with fried onions.

3. Plombir ice cream

If you like ice cream, then you definitely need to try the legendary Russian Plombir. The technology for manufacturing it was actually brought over from France, but somehow Plombir became most popular in Russia and the former Soviet Union. Made from rich cream and butter, Plombir is an extremely rich and fatty ice cream. And so, as you can guess, it’s also delicious. Oftentimes, it is packed into waffle cones or briquettes, sometimes with berry filling or covered in chocolate.

4. Kvas in briquettes

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (3)

The Arbat store, Budapest.

Maria Stambler

You may know that in Russia there is a drink calledkvas, which is made from rye bread. It tastes like a very low-alcohol beer and is perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. Homemadekvastakes lots of time because you have to filter breadcrumbs, but a dry starter makes the process much easier.

5. Chocolate

It’s not an exaggeration to say that chocolate is one of the pillars of Russian cuisine. The mass production of chocolate began here in the 19th century, and kids have been eating it ever since. Many pre-revolutionary factories are still in operation, keeping the traditions alive while making chocolate under new brand names. What kind of candy is best to try? There’s no easy answer. Everything, really. Maybe start with Clumsy Bear, but don’t forget about Kara-Kum and Little Red Riding Hood!

6. Tvorog

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (4)

The Food Mart store, Pattaya.

Tatyana Kurtova.

To understand what Russiantvorogis, you really just need to taste it. Russians generally make a more granular version (although softtvorogis also sold here). It is neither salty nor sweet, consists mostly of fat (9% fat is most popular) and is wildly delicious! Russians usetvorogto prepare cheesecakes,syrniki, casseroles and use it as filling for pancakes, but it’s also great on its own or with jam or sour cream.

7. Caviar

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (5)

The Gourmanoff store, New York.

Gourmanoff

One of the main delicacies of Russian cuisine can be easily found in any Russian store abroad. Red and black caviar is the very essence of a New Year's feast in Russia. To eat it like a Russian, make a sandwich with wheat bread and butter, try filling pancakes with it or simply eat it on its own with a spoon.

8. Pickles

Fermented products are in vogue now as health foods, but Russians have a long tradition of preserving food this way. Of course, you can pickle cucumbers or tomatoes yourself. It’s not that difficult! But who wants to wait until they’re ready when you can just pick up a jar and dig right in?

9. Halva

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (6)

The Russian store in Zagreb.

Maria Grigoryan

This Middle Eastern dessert came to the Russian Empire in the early 20th century and quickly became a part of Russian cuisine. Russian halva is a bit different though. It is traditionally made from sesame seeds, but in Russia (no surprise!) it is most often made from sunflower seeds. Halva is sold by weight, in briquettes or covered with chocolate.

10. Russian soda

10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (7)

The Arbat store, Budapest.

Maria Stambler

It wasn’t so long ago that Western brands of "capitalist" soda appeared on the shelves of Russian supermarkets. In the Soviet period, people drank completely different sodas, many of which are still popular today. We recommend trying Duchess with pear syrup,Baikalwith herbs or the vanilla-tasting Cream Soda.

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10 foods from your local Russian store you've GOT to try (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 foods in Russia? ›

What are the most popular Russian foods?
  • Borscht. Borscht is a vibrant, sour soup primarily made from beets, which give it a distinctive red color. ...
  • Pirozhki. ...
  • Pelmeni. ...
  • Beef Stroganoff. ...
  • Blini. ...
  • Shashlik. ...
  • Olivier Salad. ...
  • Golubtsy.
Mar 13, 2024

What is the local food of Russia? ›

Pelmeni is considered the national dish of Russia. They are pastry dumplings are typically filled with minced meat and wrapped in a thin, pasta-like dough. They can be served alone, slathered in butter and topped with sour cream, or in a soup broth. A favorite in Russia and Eastern Europe!

What are the items sold at the Russian shop? ›

The Russian Store is the premiere retailer of authentic, hand-made, Russian nesting dolls, matryoshka, amber jewelry, Russian eggs, glass figurines and more.

What are Russian food choices? ›

10 Russian dishes to try
  • Kamchatka crab. Red king crab is a species that's native to the Bering Sea and can be found around the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. ...
  • Borscht. ...
  • Pelmeni. ...
  • Blini. ...
  • Black Sea barabulka. ...
  • Kvass. ...
  • Varenie. ...
  • Sirniki.
Oct 19, 2019

What do Russians eat for lunch? ›

Lunch always features soups and Russian dinners are similar to any Western cuisine, featuring a variety of fried meats and fish. Meals are served with rich salads (the recipe of the most popular salad is very simple: cucumbers + tomatoes +onions + sour cream/mayo), picketed vegetables, and boiled of fried potatoes.

What is classic Russian food? ›

Traditionally Russian soups are cold, light (made from vegetables, as a rule), solyanka, sauerkraut soup and fish soups. Sauerkraut soup is the most famous Russian soup. Along with sauerkraut soup, Russians like different solyankas, rassolnik, fish chowder, noodle soups and summer cold soup okroshka.

What is street food in Russia? ›

Russian mini pies called pirozhki are one of the most popular traditional Russian street foods. Pan-fried or oven-baked, these pies come in many different shapes and can be stuffed with multiply fillings. Besides the typical meat and potato fillings, there are cabbage, peas, cheese, mushrooms and other goodies.

What is a normal meal in Russia? ›

Russian cuisine: Typical dishes include soups, salads and dumplings, and you can eat well on a budget at the stolovoya (cafeteria) or at one of Russia's fast-food outlets. Vegetarian and vegan food: Vegetarian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in St.

What is best to buy from Russia? ›

Shopping in Russia - 6 Amazing things to buy
  • Imperial Porcelain. Russia's cultural capital, St Petersburg, is home to the world-famous Imperial Porcelain Factory. ...
  • Faberge egg replicas. ...
  • Nesting dolls. ...
  • Artisanal amber jewellery. ...
  • Wedding ring shawls. ...
  • Russian chocolates.

What goods come from Russia? ›

Russian main exports are energy (oil and petroleum products, gas, coal), rolled steel, ferrous and nonferrous metals and minerals. The greater part of Russian exports belongs to oil and petroleum products. Other leading exports are natural gas, timber, fertilizers, machinery and equipment, armaments.

What is the most popular product in Russia? ›

The most popular product in Russia today
  • Household chemicals. ...
  • Dishes. ...
  • Cloth. ...
  • Shoes. ...
  • Goods for children. ...
  • School goods. ...
  • Electronics and technology. ...
  • Automotive products. They are becoming more and more in demand among Russian car enthusiasts.
May 8, 2024

What are 5 foods in Russia? ›

5 traditional Russian dishes you must try!
  • Pelmeni. It is impossible to imagine modern Russian cuisine without such a traditional dish as pelmeni, or dumplings. ...
  • Beef Stroganoff. This dish is also named meat po-stroganoffski. ...
  • Syrniki. ...
  • Cabbage meat rolls. ...
  • Blini (Russian crapes)

Is caviar a Russian food? ›

Caviar, the luxurious and flavorful delicacy made from the eggs of sturgeon fish, has a long and rich history in Russian culture. From its origins in the Caspian Sea region to its modern-day popularity as a gourmet treat, caviar has played a significant role in Russian cuisine and society.

What is Russia's favorite vegetable? ›

The most widespread vegetables are cabbage, potatoes, and beets. Cabbages were used in shchi (there are over 60 types of shchi), sauerkraut, stewed cabbage, borscht, and pierogies, while beets were most popular in borscht, cold soups, and vinaigrette salads.

What food do Russians eat almost everyday? ›

FOOD IN RUSSIA

Staples include beets, borscht, salads, cutlets. cabbage, potatoes, buckwheat, mushrooms, beef, lamb, game, sturgeon, grease and vodka. Some of the best dishes are stews and soups such as borscht or spicy fish stew. Good, fresh meat is sometimes hard to get.

What is a common food or drink in Russia? ›

Traditionally, the national cuisine consists of soup, porridge, pancakes, pies, pickles. It was not born under the arches of palaces but in the houses of ordinary, poor people who needed to feed a large family. That is why traditional Russian dishes are usually made with the most affordable ingredients.

What food does Russia produce the most? ›

How many different crops are grown in Russia?
  • The first place is taken by wheat. ...
  • Next comes sunflower with an area of about 152 thousand Hectares.
  • In terms of production, forage grasses are in second place – 148.6 thousand Hectares.
  • And the final culture in the four leaders – barley with an area of 87 thousand Hectares.

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