Russian cuisine is known for its hearty ingredients; it features a variety of dishes that include everything from comforting soups and savoury pastries to pickled vegetables and robust meat dishes.

With a strong emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, Russian cuisine celebrates simplicity and depth.

Let’s go! 20 Most Popular Foods from Russia

1) Pelmeni

Pelmeni are delicious Russian dumplings made from thin dough filled with minced meat, usually a combination of pork, beef, or lamb. 

Pelmeni is typically boiled and served with smetana (Russian sour cream), butter, or a splash of vinegar for extra flavour.

Pelmeni are considered a comfort food and whether homemade or store-bought, this dish is a must-try for any food lover!

2) Borscht

Borscht is a vibrant, hearty soup made predominantly from beets, giving it its unmistakable deep red colour. 

A staple in Russian and Eastern European cuisine, borscht typically includes ingredients like cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and sometimes meat. 

Served hot or cold, borscht is often topped with a dollop of smetana, and paired with dark rye bread. 

The soup’s piquant, slightly sweet flavour comes from the combination of beets and vinegar, making it a comforting and tasty dish in Russian cuisine.

3) Pirozhki

Pirozhki are popular stuffed pastries in Russian cuisine. They can be filled with savoury or sweet ingredients like potatoes, meat, cabbage, or jam. 

Whether baked or fried, these versatile pastries are eaten as a snack, street food, or part of a meal. Their golden dough and tasty fillings make them one of the most beloved foods from Russia. 

Often handheld and easy to eat on the go, pirozhki is a comforting staple in Russian kitchens.

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4) Shchi

Shchi is a traditional soup in Russia made with cabbage as the main ingredient, often combined with potatoes, carrots, and sometimes beef or pork.

This hearty soup is prepared with fresh or fermented cabbage (sauerkraut); this gives the soup a tangy zing!

Shchi is typically served hot and garnished with smetana and fresh herbs, making it a comforting dish, especially during the chilly months.

It’s one of the classic foods from Russia and has been enjoyed for centuries as a staple in Russian homes.

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5) Blini

Blini are thin, crepe-like pancakes that are a staple in Russian cuisine. 

Blini are made from wheat or buckwheat flour and served with sweet or savoury toppings like smetana (sour cream), caviar, or jam.

These are some of my favourite foods from Russia, so try them!

6) Vareniki

In Russia, vareniki are popular dumplings made from dough and filled with either sweet or savoury fillings, such as mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, mushrooms, or fruit such as cherries. 

Vareniki are typically boiled and served with sour cream or butter, adding to their comforting appeal.

Like Ukrainian pierogi, they are enjoyed as a hardy meal or dessert. 

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7) Pryaniki

Pryaniki is a traditional Russian spice cookie or gingerbread known for its rich, spiced flavour and soft, spongy texture. 

Typically sweetened with honey and flavoured with delicate spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, it often has a glossy sugar glaze or is decorated with intricate patterns.

8) Smetana

Sour cream, or smetana, is a common accompaniment to nearly all traditional Russian dishes.

You’ll notice that smetana is served with everything from crepes and soups to desserts. This fresh sour cream melds perfectly into hot dishes, enhancing their flavour and providing a creamy texture.

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9) Vinegret

Vinegret is a famous Russian salad made from boiled beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles, and sauerkraut, typically dressed with sunflower oil. 

The vibrant red colour of the beets gives the salad its familiar look. Often served cold, vinegret is a zesty dish enjoyed as a side during meals or festive gatherings. 

It’s a staple of Russian cuisine, refreshingly contrasting more decadent, heavier dishes.

10) Sbiten

Sbiten is a traditional beverage made from honey, water, and spices like cinnamon and ginger, usually served hot. 

Sometimes infused with berries or fruits, it offers a sweet and spicy flavour that’s incredibly comforting in cold weather. 

Sbiten is a beloved drink perfect for festive gatherings or relaxing by the fireplace.

11) Sorrel soup

Made mainly with fresh sorrel leaves, it often includes potatoes, onions, and sometimes meat or eggs. The soup’s rich green colour comes from the sorrel leaves, which also provide its zesty flavour.

Sorrel soup, typically served chilled in the summer or warm in the colder months, is a delicious way to enjoy seasonal greens.

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12) Kvass

Kvass is a traditional Eastern European fermented drink, slightly carbonated and mildly tangy. 

Made from black or rye bread, it contains a very low alcohol content, making it suitable for all ages. 

Often flavoured with honey, berries, or herbs, kvass is refreshing and versatile. Popular for centuries, it’s enjoyed on its own or used in dishes like cold soups.

13) Okroshka

Okroshka is a refreshing cold soup that’s a true summer favourite in Russia! 

Bursting with vibrant diced vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, and potatoes, it often features boiled eggs and meats such as sausage or ham. This soup has a tangy base made from kvass or buttermilk, adding zing. 

Okroshka is a light, nutritious dish often served chilled and garnished with fresh herbs and a swirl of smetana, of course!

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14) Salad Olivier

Salad Olivier, or Russian salad, is a beloved dish in Russian cuisine, especially during festive occasions and celebrations.

This robust salad features diced boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and eggs, often combined with diced meat like sausage, chicken, or ham. 

The mixture is dressed in creamy mayonnaise, creating a rich and satisfying flavour. The secret to this delicious sauce is adding some pickle juice for the best taste!

15) Varenye

Varenye is a traditional preserve from whole or large pieces of fruit or berries cooked in sugar syrup. 

Unlike jams or jellies, varenye doesn’t involve crushing the fruit, allowing the pieces to remain intact. 

Made from fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries, Varenye is commonly used as a topping for pancakes, toast, or porridge and can be stirred into tea as a sweetener. 

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16) Syrniki

Syrniki are delightful Russian cheese pancakes mainly made from cottage cheese. These fluffy treats are mixed with flour, eggs, and sugar and then fried until golden brown. 

Often served warm, syrniki are topped with smetana, jam, or fresh fruit, making them a popular breakfast or dessert option.

17) Solyanka

Solyanka is a robust soup made with a combination of meats (beef, sausage, or ham), pickles, olives, and vegetables in a zesty broth. 

Seasoned with spices, lemon, and fresh herbs, it offers bold flavours and feels like a warm hug; I love how food does that!

Typically served hot with a dollop of smetana and a slice of lemon, solyanka is perfect for cosy gatherings or cold days when you want to stay inside.

18) Shuba

Shuba, known as ‘herring under a fur coat’, is a prized salad for its colourful layers and distinctive flavours.

This festive dish features layers of pickled herring and grated boiled vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and beets, all topped with a creamy mayonnaise dressing; this preparation of the vegetables provides a pleasing texture, pairing perfectly with this lovely dressing.

Shuba combines salty, sweet, and creamy flavours. It is one of the foods from Russia that you should try at least once!

19) Pickles

In Russia, pickles are more than just a snack; they are a treasured part of the culinary culture. 

Russian pickles are typically made from salted and fermented cucumbers and have a crisp texture and zesty flavour that complements various dishes. 

They are often served as a side dish, a topping on hearty meals, or pair perfectly with a few shots of Russian vodka.

20) Beef stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian dish that has gained international popularity.

Tender strips of beef are pan-fried with onions and mushrooms, simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with smetana and often seasoned with mustard. 

Traditionally served over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, beef stroganoff is known for its hearty, satisfying flavours.

We’ve reached the end of our list of popular foods from Russia! Have you tried Russian cuisine before? If so, what is your favourite dish? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Want to cook some of these popular foods from Russia in the comfort of your own home? Check out these Russian food recipes from BBC Food!

Travel Tips for Europe

We have many travel guides and tips for Europe— an incredible continent!

Are you travelling on a budget? These ten cheapest European countries will help you plan an itinerary that lets you see as much as possible while there.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Europe, and our food map of Europe will inspire your culinary journey.

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies, a couple of them are located in Europe.

Here are 8 things to know about travelling to Eastern Europe and it’s good to know these 7 misconceptions about Eastern Europe too.

These top 6 travel hacks to save money are great to read when planning your travels.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Europe. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual European countries, or consider a regional eSIM for Europe (which covers 39 countries).

If your travels in Europe are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming European departures, or view Tourradar for great deals on group tours in Europe.

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.