Eastern European Cuisine

July 22, 2019  •  Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Bulgaria, Europe, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Sofia, Travel

Eastern Europe – it’s not on everyone’s radar as a travel destination, but if you take the time to visit you won’t be disappointed. I started in Budapest, then travelled with a group from there across the entire country of Romania to Bucharest, then flew to Sofia, Bulgaria, and ended in Belgrade, Serbia. I was too young during the Cold War to understand a lot of that history, and too busy working and raising a family to focus on the break up of Yugoslavia, so I spent a lot of time on this trip learning about that history. I also tried to eat as many traditional dishes as I could in each of these countries. The cities are all similar, but all very different. Budapest has a gorgeous old town on the river. Bucharest has an incredible park system and pretty tree lined street modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris, complete with a large Arch in the center of a roundabout. Sofia has gorgeous architecture and well excavated and displayed Roman ruins running throughout the city. Belgrade has booming commerce and nightlife. The countryside around these cities is bucolic and impressive, and I loved my time spent there. Read on for the culinary wrap up, with details of restaurants below.

Budapest, Hungary

GoulashHungarian Omelet with Paprika and SausageMangalica Pork Cooked on a Stone TablesideLángos – Hungarian Flatbread with Sour Cream and Roasted PeppersWax Bean Soup with Pressed PorkRoast Chicken with Bok Choy on PotatoesSalmon WellingtonChicken PaprikashStuffed Cabbage RollsCucumber and Tomato Salad with Goat CheesePickled CucumbersFish on Saffron Risotto with PeasGoulash

Cream of Mushroom SoupChef’s SaladRoast GooseGoulashRomanian Sausage on Mashed PotatoesEggplant Salad with Tomatoes and CheesePicklesSteak with Tarragon Sauce and Roasted PotatoesGoulash with Spaetzle and Cucumber and Tomato SaladEggplant Dip on Crostini with SalamiRomanian CheeseVegetable SoupRoasted Vegetables with PotatoesApricot TartChicken Noodle Sour SoupMeatball Sour SoupHigh Tea at Bran CastleManuc’s PlatterGrilled MeatsWhole FishDuck Breast Saladthe ARTIST – see blog post

Cold Cucumber Soup

Shopska SaladMeatballs with Gravy and Mashed PotatoesGrilled Chicken with Fries

BurrataOctopus SaladVeal Tartare

Lekovac MuckalicaFried Zucchini with Tzatziki

Mushroom Caps on RiceSliced LambBeef in Olive Oil and BalsamicShopska Salad

Cheese Spread with BreadTrout Stuffed with MushroomsPerchSalad with Pine Nuts and Parmesan

Garlic Bread with Spicy PaprikaBeef CevapsVeal Ribs with PotatoesBaklava

Karavan Street Food
Budapest, Hungary
Kazinczy u. 18, 1075

Macesz Bistro
Budapest, Hungary
Website

Restaurant Hanu’ Lui Manuc
Bucharest, Romania
Website

the ARTIST
Bucharest, Romania
Website

Cosmos
Sofia, Bulgaria
Website

Este Restaurant
Sofia, Bulgaria
Website

Ambar
Belgrade, Serbia
Website

Restoran Manufaktura
Belgrade, Serbia
Website

Saran
Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia
Website