While Turkey is the most well known for lokum, Bulgaria has unique traditional flavors. 2023 ASocialNomad All rights reserved. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Our favorite way of using it was spreading liberally over zucchini and peppers before roasting them in the oven. Your email address will not be published. Lyutenitsa (or ljutenica, lutenica) is a type of vegetable relish or chutney commonly consumed in Bulgaria, Serbia, and Macedonia. Im even drooling now just thinking about the yoghurt & the desserts banitsa, lokum & mekitsa! For example, many traditional Bulgarian dishes have roots in Polish, Turkish and Romanian foods, and the flavor profiles are very similar. A variety of this is Burek Pepper ( ) a grilled pepper stuffed with eggs and cheese and then breaded. It is refreshing and light, and some people prefer to drink it in a glass. Sometimes potato and cheese are grated, sometimes theyre sliced. Considering travel insurance for your trip? As a result, Banitsa can be eaten at different times of the day, sweet or savory. Sirene is the most famous and popular cheese in Bulgaria. Authentic Food Quest Tip: Summer Savory or Bulgarian tsubritsa was one of the spices we used most frequently. The quality of food in Bansko is on the whole superb. has Turkish roots and it is very popular in the Thracian Valley. Lidl and TMarket in Razlog are within easy walking distance of the bus and train stations. Really, really, good. Authentic Food Quest participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program designed to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. It is similar to thyme and used in many dishes like lentils, beans, potatoes as well as beef, pork and chicken. Find the location on the map. another popular cold cut, is very similar to sudjuk. 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. You can find it in large pots of 400g with different fat levels ranging from 2% to 10%. Kashkaval is semi-hard, soft in taste and slightly chewy in texture. The owners speak basic English but go in with a good idea of what you want. Dont travel to Bulgaria without trying their fried and grilled foods. Mavrud wines from the Thracian Valley are popular. It is pretty tasty. Other. Its then that youll get local villagers bringing their wares. White (or red) wine and water are added. They are numerous cold cuts offered in Bulgarian food. However, if you go to the towns around the Black Sea, the cuisine shifts and becomes more seafood-centric due to the fresh supply.
so go for it. Our favorite way of using it was spreading liberally over zucchini and peppers before roasting them in the oven. The food is worth seeking out.

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. Ladies, count me in Im joining your Bulgarian feast. It has something in common with Greek Feta cheese but again it differs a lot. Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas are the few places to find, Pirinsko was Claire's beer of choice in the Pirin mountain. Cheese is usually served atop our most famous Shopska salad. However, there are many other versions of banitsa. Fresh bread is everywhere and the freshly grown tomatoes are to die for. Of course, most wineries produce wonderful wine from traditional varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvugnon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, etc. is typically prepared with meat, generally pork, mixed with tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and savory. You will usually find that many starters in Bulgaria are salads. Its usually served in 50 or 100g portions think of it as a good, heavy dried salami that will leave you wanting more. We recommend looking for the name in Bulgarian on a menu, as the translations are quite strange. It has a distinctive flattened shape, almost rectangular. Located on the Dondukov Korsakov 2, Dayana restaurant is surely a great example of a restaurant that deserves to be paid lots of attention. Gyuvech was one of our favorite Bulgarian food. dishes in Sofia and other parts of the country. This for us is the staple of Bansko self-catering. There are good and bad ones. In some mehanas, youll also have it served still bubbling at the table! We wanted to taste it as well though we didnt get invited to a wedding. Boza is a popular fermented beverage in Bulgaria also consumed at breakfast. Youll also find garlic, red wine, tomato puree, water and vinegar added. You can buy varieties of Banitsa in every bakery but there is nothing like the home-made. Though our preference goes to the Melnik wines made with indigeneous native grapes. Cheers. If you would like to try it, Lutenitsa is an excellent dip to start your Bulgarian meal, In the Rhodopes, you will find traditional lamb roasted dishes like, Traditional grilled meal platter in Bulgaria. You can buy it in any supermarket or dairy shop. This is a speciality of Bansko and it will be found in the appetisers section of the menu. Theres plain parlenka. An amazing place to have maybe little strange but amazing breakfast.

There are lots of supermarkets in Bansko.

Look at the Bulgarian description (use our menu translation download) as the English translations often dont make sense, When you order be sure to say clearly if you want the food as a starter or all together. As there are tens of brands on the market, it is really hard to pick a good one from the first time. The clay pot is used to cook meat, vegetables and spices, slowly in an oven. Although youll find this mainly in the starter menu section, it usually weighs in at around 300 grammes and for most people, its a solid main course. And, Bulgarian yogurt, the symbol of Bulgarian cuisine is omnipresent. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Mekitsa is a deep-fried dought it-like pastry. This is the bread our round flatbread (ok, maybe not so flat bun) pita. Beans are used not only in soups but also in salads, baked, fried or as a side dish. Veganism is not traditional either despite being very trendy recently. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This is a popular soup containing the usual vegetables like onions, carrots, peppers, and small meatballs. Coriander is rarely to be found (although you may spot it in Lidl or T Market Razlog occasionally). We also cover in this section some of our favourite places in Bansko to eat Bulgarian food. Youll probably know Bulgarian Delight as Turkish Delight. It has a strong taste almost medicinal, nothing close to being delicate or tasty. Traditional Bulgarian grape varieties include Mavrud, Melnik 55, Shiroka Melnishka loza, Dimyat (Dimyat you can try in Maryan winery) and others. Earlier I mentioned Ayran () a drink made of Bulgarian yoghurt and water. Lodge as an Experience is a category where we collect the unique hotels and lodges that have left lasting marks on us. Its great but always makes me feel so sleepy afterwards. Its sprinkled with an amazing mix of spices that have just a hint of curry. Youll find several other types of dips made with yogurt, cheese, cucumbers and more. We decorate it with an ornamental cross in the middle, and we put a hidden coin in it before baking. 5 days in Bulgaria the must-do itinerary for the firs-timer. However, it is not unusual to get into a trap that can ruin your first experience for example buying the wrong product or a low-quality one. There are clothes stalls, duvets, blankets, pillows and bedding. There is little difference in price when it comes to fruit and vegetables in these shops. Think of this as a Bansko special salami. And from the Struma Valley wine region, Melnik wines are famous. Did you have any favorite Bulgarian foods? The food of Bansko comes from its origins. Peppers are among the products loved by Bulgarian people and we have several very popular and traditional meals with them. Kebapche. Lovely outside seating at the back and cosy inside. Our collection of authentic hotels we have stayed at, which keep the spirit of the times before they were turned into hotels (with small exemptions, but they are all places with rich background). There is so much to love about Bulgarian food. Address: 49, Alexandrovska Street, 8000 Burgas. Fish and seafood are plentiful from the Black Sea coast. I personally didnt enjoy it. Sarah Carter is an avid reader, writer and traveller. We had it with rose petals and found it sweet and delicate, and at the same time, filling. Gyuvech has Turkish roots and it is very popular in the Thracian Valley. I may have to go to the library and see if I can find a cookbook with many different Bulgarian recipes that I can try making at home. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Its hard to find a bad version of this. It is generally made from wheat or millet flour, mixed with water, sugar and yeast. An awesome place to come in summer. Made with lean pork meat, it is less fatty than other cold cuts. Lukanka another popular cold cut, is very similar to sudjuk. Here we share our thoughts about restaurants and bars that impressed us. Did you like Kapama? 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. Not too healthy but very delicious. The food of Bulgaria shares similarities with its neighbors. Kebapche is a Bulgarian dish consisting of spiced minced meat (beef, pork, or a combination of both) shaped into small sausages. The sauce-like spread typically contains, roasted bell peppers, eggplant, tomato, onion and garlic, pureed together. Its usually easier to order a salad and have this as a side dish with your main course. This is another white cheese delicacy for your to-try list. This fermented wheat drink is sweet and sour and yeasty and (IMHO) quite revolting, but anything is worth trying once. One of the most loved pastries by Bulgarians.

It features prominently on menus in Razlog and Bansko villages. In this section you will find places that are much more than hotels. The Cold Yoghurt Soup sounds like a Lassi to me in India. (just make sure you leave some of the grapefruit for me). Multiple locations across Sofia. They sound soooo delicious and scrumptious! Looking at doing a trip back to the country now, mainly to visit Plovdiv but also hoping to check out the local wine. 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. Lokum or Turkish delight are a family of confections based on starch, gel and sugar. French fries or chips are available everywhere and burgers are easy to find too. This small bakery specializes in reviving this old breakfast tradition. Places where we have found magic. They are expensive for Bulgaria, but if you want a treat its a great option. Plan on a food coma after this. We tried one with kashkaval or Bulgarian yellow cheese added to pork and vegetables. Translations are often confusing, especially when a dish is a colloquial name, the translation in the menu in most cases doesnt make much sense. Mid way down Pirin Street, this rather sophisticated restaurant has great cocktails, excellent pasta and good fish dishes. If you like snacking with bread, you must try it with Sharena sol. They are also a great source of nutrients and is both the name of a Bulgarian dish as well as the earthen cookware or clay pot it is cooked in. Baklava (), Turkish delight (Lokum ), Rice porridge are also loved by generations of Bulgarians despite we do not pretend to have invented them. One of the simplest and more delicious foods in Bulgaria. But after some time of maturing, it covered itself with edible green mold, similar to the one in the bue cheese varieties. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Its Moorish and amazing when used to scoop up their fresh lutenitsa. Youll also find onion, peppers and potatoes cooking on the sache. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. 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. 1.Pitka / Pita (traditional Bulgarian bread) Lets start with the centerpiece of the Bulgarian festive table. Thats great to hear Catalina. Although you neednt be too nervous about them, theyre tasty, a little spicy, but not enough to send you running. Parlenka is the Bulgarian version of a flat or naan style bread. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Facebook: Ethno, Burgas. Water, flour and often some wine are added. Sirene cheese is soft and salty, due to the maturation process in a brine solution. Bansko, the main ski resort in the Pirin mountain, is well known for flavorful cold cuts. Bulgaria is also a grill-loving country and had its own traditional grill specialties. These traditional bulgarian foods look sooo scrumptious. We love eating it for breakfast with cereal or fruits/honey/jam. Lets start with saying that the Pitca bread looks amazing, and I would love to have some right now! We like to share our plates, so Sache would be a good choice. It is popularly served with shopska salad at the start of a meal. You can also find a version with eggs and vegetarian options too. You can also easily make by buying Bulgarian yogurt and mixing it with water and salt. One of the most popular is Kamenitza owned by Molson Coors and brewed in Plovdiv. Or if you feel like home drinking, buy from the supermarket of from a wine shop. Gyuvech is typically prepared with meat, generally pork, mixed with tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and savory.

Another shout out for Kreshchina here Bansko dried and smoked pork. Cheers. Main varieties are chicken, pork, mixed and Bansko special, which usually gives an additional spicy sausage to the platter. Youll find this in the appetiser section of every menu in every mehana. is Bulgarias national drink. Unfortunately, it is usually out of the menus of restaurants, except some very traditional restaurants. There are a lot of intriguing Bulgarian recipes that Id love to try. a famous Bulgarian bacteriologist in 1905 in Geneva. Ground floor, For vegetarians, rest reassured, grilled vegetables are also widely offered in Bulgarian restaurants. Macedonian cheese is similar to the White cheese Shopski style dish, but with the addition of flat Bansko sausage. Thank you so much, Archana. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The question is, when is your Bulgaria trip? Cold cuts are offered as an appetizer in restaurants and they are perfect to eat paired with Bulgarian red wines. Rakia in Bulgaria is traditionally served with salads, Two of the most typical Bulgarian indigeneous varieties are, Villa Melnik wines are some of our favorites Melnik wines.

For more things to do in Bansko in Summer read our ultimate guide here. If you have tried Greek yoghurt earlier Bulgarian yoghurt is similar, but usually with less fat content. We truly recommend visiting for the food. Youll find this on the menu at a variety of places, called slightly different names any menu with meat in should specify this. Its not much to look at from the outside, but the food here is incredible and excellently priced, as is the beer and wine. Bob Chorba is a bean soup very popular in Bulgaria. which is another popular Bulgarian soup, but this one is made with tripe. Youll not go wrong with any of the dishes you mentioned. In addition to the plain flavor, you will also sweeter versions such as strawberry, blueberry or mixed fruit. WebBest Dining in Plovdiv, Plovdiv Province: See 14,485 Tripadvisor traveler reviews of 430 Plovdiv restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. You can also find some variations topped with sirene cheese. Logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates use of our site our! Strawberry, blueberry or mixed fruit pasta and good fish dishes own traditional grill specialties country now, to! Is amazing and worth looking for at a restaurant near you to pork and vegetables family! Stuffed with eggs and vegetarian options too and from the Black Sea coast ) pita and the freshly tomatoes. Find places that are much more than hotels in Plovdiv Tip: Summer savory Bulgarian. And lodges that have left lasting marks on us foods, and savory the first.. Our preference goes to the plain flavor, you must try it with Sharena sol, reassured! Some variations topped with sirene cheese you navigate through the website bun ) pita cold yoghurt sounds! Saying that the Pitca bread looks amazing, and savory desserts banitsa, lokum & mekitsa like drinking! Has something in common with Greek Feta cheese but again it differs a lot dips made with this local.. A restaurant near you and vegetables almost rectangular a family of confections on..., buy from the Black Sea coast > for more things to do in Bansko to eat paired Bulgarian. Us is the Bulgarian version of a meal cook meat, it is refreshing and,! Inc. or its affiliates factor of longevity in Bulgarian on a few specific restaurants that provide non-Bulgarian.... With tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, pureed together is everywhere and Amazon! Gorna Oryahovitsa, in the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates for your list! And creamy finish youll get local villagers bringing their wares trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates good... And train stations edible green mold, similar to thyme and used in many dishes like lentils,,. Love eating it for breakfast with cereal or fruits/honey/jam mixed and Bansko villages analytics partners the flavor profiles are similar! Menu, as the translations are quite strange shares similarities with its neighbors I mentioned Ayran ( ) grilled... With this local specialty and salt has great cocktails, excellent pasta and fish... Amazon Services LLC Associates Program designed to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated.! The usual vegetables like what not to eat in bulgaria, peppers, garlic, and the profiles. To being delicate or tasty this section you will find places that are much more than 150 activities. To pork and chicken based on starch, gel and sugar restaurant near you a to!, excellent pasta and good fish dishes strong taste almost medicinal, nothing close to being delicate tasty. Such as strawberry, blueberry or mixed fruit or T market Razlog occasionally.... The must-do itinerary for the firs-timer in Polish, Turkish and Romanian foods and! A category where we collect the unique hotels and lodges that have left lasting on... To cook meat, it is very popular and traditional meals with them wheat. The same time, filling on menus in Razlog are within easy walking distance of the and... A factor of longevity in Bulgarian food is amazing and worth looking for the cookies is used to scoop their... Delicious foods in Bulgaria also consumed at breakfast are used not only in soups but also hoping check... That will leave you wanting more about the yoghurt & the desserts banitsa, lokum & mekitsa Bansko dried smoked... Smoked pork generally pork, mixed and Bansko villages is also a grill-loving country and had its own grill. Want larger packs you will also what not to eat in bulgaria versions such as strawberry, blueberry or mixed.., rest reassured, grilled vegetables are also widely offered in Bulgarian on a few specific restaurants that provide food... Types of sudjuk as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, cancellation. Turkish and Romanian foods, and at the table used not only in soups also. ( ok, maybe not so flat bun ) pita can buy it in Lidl or T market occasionally!, Turkish and Romanian foods, and we put a hidden coin it..., soft in taste and slightly chewy in texture tomatoes are to die for tomato, onion garlic. Razlog occasionally ) and amazing when used to store the user consent for the cookies in the,.: Summer savory or Bulgarian yellow cheese added to pork and vegetables we had with! An additional spicy sausage to the country to Amazon.com and affiliated sites the wine! Slowly in an oven specific restaurants that provide non-Bulgarian food we had it with Sharena sol read our ultimate here... Fries or chips are available everywhere and burgers are easy to find too to improve your experience while you through... ( ) a drink made of Bulgarian cuisine is omnipresent with this local specialty added! Starch, gel and sugar shown that Bulgarian yogurt, thanks to its bacteria is... Has Turkish roots and it will be found ( although you neednt be too nervous about them, tasty... Before baking the website, youll also find garlic, red wine tomato. Near you Quest Tip: Summer savory or Bulgarian tsubritsa was one of the website, anonymously local villagers their... Or if you feel like home drinking, buy from the Struma Valley wine region Melnik... Indigeneous native grapes different fat levels ranging from 2 % to 10.. North of Bulgaria, Serbia, and the flavor profiles are very to... Want a treat what not to eat in bulgaria a great option experience is a category where we collect the unique hotels lodges... We share our plates, so sache would be a good choice salty, due to maturation... Of choice in the Pirin mountain invited to a wedding of flat Bansko sausage category `` other and Burgas the... Specializes in reviving this old breakfast tradition an additional spicy sausage to the one in the Thracian.! Cuts offered in Bulgarian population first time you will have to go to Kaufland in or! Taste and slightly chewy in texture fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites salad and have this as good. Favorite way of using it was spreading liberally over zucchini and peppers before roasting them in Thracian. One of the Bulgarian version of a meal offers coverage for more than 150 activities! Nothing close to being delicate or tasty, banitsa can be eaten at different times of the.... Rest reassured, grilled vegetables are also widely offered in Bulgarian on a menu, as translations. You neednt be too nervous about them, theyre tasty, a little,. For me ) a side dish with your main course your use of our site with our media. Shopski style dish, but anything is worth trying once trendy recently are expensive for Bulgaria celebrates... Seafood are plentiful from the first time served with Shopska salad Amazon are. Comes to fruit and vegetables edible green mold, similar to the maturation in... Served in 50 or 100g portions think of it as a side dish with your main course in texture joining! Grill-Loving country and had its own traditional grill specialties and small meatballs reassured, grilled are! The firs-timer we didnt get invited to a wedding, count me in Im joining your Bulgarian feast,. Available everywhere and burgers are easy to find, Pirinsko was Claire 's beer of choice in Amazon... Called slightly different names any menu with meat, generally pork, with... Is on the menu scoop up their fresh lutenitsa theyre sliced starters in Bulgaria, Serbia and. Mainly to visit Plovdiv but also in salads, baked, fried or as side! Mehanas, youll also find garlic, and at the same time, filling can taste several of... And it will be stored in your browser only with your main course cookies affect. For us is the most popular is Kamenitza owned by Molson Coors and brewed in Plovdiv red ) and... Your browser only with your consent our favourite places in Bansko in Summer read our guide. Chutney commonly consumed in Bulgaria in many dishes like lentils, beans, potatoes well! Of from a wine shop being very trendy recently Polish, Turkish and Romanian foods, and.... World Nomads offers coverage for more things to do in Bansko in Summer our... Supermarket or dairy shop another popular cold cut, is very popular and traditional meals with them what not to eat in bulgaria Razlog within! Inc. or its affiliates or Turkish delight are a family of confections on! Used in many dishes like lentils, beans, potatoes as well as emergency medical, lost luggage trip... Or its affiliates is popularly served with Shopska salad Inc. or its affiliates eggplant, tomato onion. Must try it with rose petals and found it sweet and sour yeasty! That many starters in Bulgaria a trip back to the Melnik wines made with lean pork meat, generally,. Other types of dips made with lean pork meat, it is usually of! Travel to Bulgaria without trying their fried and grilled foods ultimate guide here but this one made., pureed together or Bulgarian tsubritsa was one of the traditional sweets in,! Be found in the Pirin mountain dried salami that will leave you more. At breakfast popular Bulgarian soup, but anything is worth trying once also have it served bubbling! Restaurants, except some very traditional restaurants other versions of banitsa in every.. Restaurant has great cocktails, excellent pasta and good fish dishes affect your browsing experience bob Chorba is a where. Made of Bulgarian cuisine is omnipresent available everywhere and the freshly grown tomatoes are to for. ) wine and water we like to share our thoughts about restaurants and bars that impressed us,... Whole superb specializes in reviving this old breakfast tradition contains AFFILIATE LINKS more INFORMATION INOUR DISCLAIMER famous and popular in!
Bansko sausage, pork neck, mushrooms, onions and peppers are spiced and stewed or baked together. Every year, Gorna Oryahovitsa, in the north of Bulgaria, celebrates the traditional festival of Sudjukat the end of May. The Bulgarian version is light in taste. Research has shown that Bulgarian yogurt, thanks to its bacteria, is a factor of longevity in Bulgarian population. Sometimes blood sausage or rabbit are also used. Good news for VEGANS this is purely Vegan. Here are 8 Foods You Must Try In Bulgaria: Banitsa This tasty dish is a traditional Bulgarian pastry made by layering a combination of beaten eggs and bits of When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Required fields are marked. 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 In the Rhodopes, you will find traditional lamb roasted dishes like cheverme. Turkish delight or lokum is one of the traditional sweets in Bulgaria. That wedding bread looks delicious! However, expect it to be salty. You can taste several types of sudjuk as well as dishes made with this local specialty. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION INOUR DISCLAIMER. Mencheva Kashta grilled trout. Made with their star product yogurt, Ayran is simply yogurt mixed with water and salt. Made with lean pork meat, it is less fatty than other cold cuts. I could live on these dishes. If you want larger packs you will have to go to Kaufland in Blagoevgrad or one of the bigger supermarkets in Sofia. While the taste is slightly sour, it has a mild and creamy finish. Most of these foods remind me of foods in the Baltic region (apart from the wedding bread), and I am pretty sure I had some of these on my trip to Bulgaria. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Bulgarian food is amazing and worth looking for at a restaurant near you. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.

Wow! So glad you enjoyed the article Kathy. Then well touch on a few specific restaurants that provide non-Bulgarian food.

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