Foods You Must Try In Bulgaria

Bulgarian cuisine is diverse and delicious, consisting of various local dishes, salads, breads and pies. If you have chance to travel to Bulgaria, don’t forget to try the following foods.

Banitsa is a traditional pie of Bulgaria which is a favourite dish throughout Bulgaria. Banitsa is prepared by layering a mixture of whisked eggs, natural yogurt and pieces of feta cheese between filo pastry and then baking it in an oven. The filling is usually soft sirene cheese and yoghurt, and the dough curves around itself like a spiral.

Mekitsa is a popular Bulgarian dish that is traditionally served for breakfast. It is a flatbread made with kneaded dough that is then deep-fried in hot oil and typically served hot with jam, fruits, honey, yoghurt, or powdered sugar. Sometimes dubbed “Bulgarian donuts,” serve with strong coffee for a satiating breakfast.

This dish is a simple mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers, the shopska explodes with flavor when topped with soft white Bulgarian sirene cheese. This is Bulgaria’s most famous dish and national salad. You should not forget to try this fresh and healthy dish when traveling to Bulgaria.

Gevrek is a Balkan pastry akin to the bagel, known in other countries as simit or Turkish bagel. Crusted in sesame seeds, these crunchy breads are sweet or savoury and found in practically every bakery you’ll come across. This type of breads are often have for breakfast and you can easy buy it everywhere.

Kebapche is a Bulgarian variation of the hot dog and makes for a light lunch when served with salad. Blended pork and beef are shaped into a cylinder and then roasted on a grill. A dish similar to kebapche and often combined with it is kyufte, which is often the same in terms of meat and spices but round-shaped.

Bulgarian Sarmi are grape leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat and then boiled. Raisins are an occasional pop of flavor added into the mix. Sometimes cabbage leaves are substituted or the meat left out. Sarmi is a traditional meal in Bulgaria, it is present in every Bulgarian home on Christmas Eve.

Bulgarian Tripe Soup is a hearty soup prepared with the lining of cow stomach. This is a popular meat dish in Bulgarian cuisine. It’s best served with a hearty country-style bread and washed down with a beer.

Meshana skara or mixed grill is a traditional Bulgarian meal consisting of a platter full of meat and sides. This classic dish combines different minced meats, sausages, kebapche and meat patties. Make sure you eat it with ljutenica, a favourite condiment of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, onion and garlic.

Bulgarian yogurt is reputed to be one of the oldest recipes, dating back to 3000 bce. There’s no denying that there’s something special about creamy, delicious Bulgarian yogurt–and we bet it has something to do with its culture, Lactobacillus bulgaricus. This is a must try food because Bulgaria is the homeland of yogurt.

Baklava is a traditional Bulgarian dessert and surely one of the most favorite ones. Phyllo layers are alternated with walnuts, sugar, lemon juice and butter for a flaky treat served with strong Bulgarian coffee.