Just a few kilometers north of the Mediterranean coast, Romania stands out as one of the most populous countries in southeastern Europe, boasting an impressive history that is woven into its vibrant culture and delectable cuisine. It’s no wonder then that it often features on many travelers’ and tourists’ must-visit destinations – but what kind of culinary delights await those who venture to this Eastern European gem? If you’re eager to get a taste of Romania, look no further!
We’ve curated a list of 23 mouth-watering Romanian dishes that you simply have to try. Whether you want to cook them in the comfort of your own kitchen or indulge in them while exploring the country’s culinary scene, we’ve got you covered with the best Romanian foods for you to savor and enjoy!
Palinka-Based Fruity Cocktails From Romania
Many people are familiar with palinka, a type of brandy commonly found in Romania. This spirit is made by infusing wine or fruit to create a unique and flavorful drink. Some refer to palinka as plum brandy, which is often associated with its rich flavor profile. While bottles of palinka can be easily purchased at most liquor stores, for those who want to create something special, we’ve prepared a recipe for a delicious cocktail that incorporates this traditional Romanian spirit.
Cheesy Romanian Pie Sensation
Taking center stage in Romanian cuisine is the beloved placinta, a type of cheese pie that has won the hearts of many with its unique flavor and texture. Typically, placintas are savory yet have a bread-like consistency, making them both light and deliciously cheesy. This versatile pastry is also incredibly easy to prepare at home, requiring minimal ingredients and effort. If you’re eager to try your hand at making placintas, the following simple recipe is an excellent place to start.
Romania’s Lamb Egg Loaf Delicacy
Delving into the world of Romanian cuisine, drob de miel is a distinctive dish that echoes the concept of ‘lamb haggis’. This traditional Easter food consists of an amalgamation of lamb entrails, carefully crafted into a single loaf that is packed with protein and essential nutrients. At its core lies a substantial egg, underscoring the significance of this unique dish in Romanian culture.
If you’re eager to experiment with new variations, feel free to substitute lamb with chicken; simply refer to the provided recipes for inspiration on creating your own customized version.
Romania’s Favorite Pork Delight: Pomana Porcului
Notably, Romania’s most beloved pork dish is known as ‘Pig’s Alms’, and its popularity stems from the simplicity and heartiness of its ingredients. This delectable dish, Pomana Porcului, can be prepared with cubes of pork from any part of the pig and is traditionally enjoyed during Christmas festivities. However, it’s not a seasonal restriction – this delicious meal can be savored at any time of the year.
The main components of Pomana Porcului are pork itself, complemented by a side of garlic fries that add an aromatic twist to the dish. As a result, it has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike, with numerous restaurants and cafes throughout Romania offering this mouthwatering treat.
Fish Roe Salad with Carp or Pike
Varying the original concept of salata de boeuf, salata de icre takes on a more traditional fish roe salad approach. Unlike its beef-based counterpart, this dish is made with carp or pike roe, resulting in a significantly different texture and flavor profile. While it may share a similar name, salata de icre is more akin to a spread, often served as a sauce for potatoes or used as a topping for slices of bread due to its lighter consistency, yet still manages to pack a punch in terms of taste.
Romanian Mutton Sausages with a Kick
Majority of sausages found in stores are made from pork, but Plescoi sausages stand out as they originate from Romania and are crafted using mutton. The unique combination of ingredients includes chili peppers and garlic, which significantly elevates their taste and flavor. It’s worth noting that this distinct characteristic makes them particularly appealing to those who crave a more exotic experience.
While it may be challenging to come across Plescoi sausages in the United States, enthusiasts can still attempt to create their own version at home using mutton, garlic, and chili peppers. However, for an authentic taste of Romania’s culinary tradition, one must venture into the country itself and indulge in this local delicacy.
Salam Dessert: A Romanian Rum Treat
Beneath the surface of Romanian cuisine lies a fascinating tale of two foods that share an unusual name: Salam and Biscuit Salam. The former is a type of salami made from pork meat and fat, enjoyed as a cold meat in various dishes. On the other hand, Biscuit Salam is a sweet treat that has no resemblance to its savory counterpart. This dessert is crafted using rum, cocoa powder, and buttered biscuits, resulting in a unique taste experience.
The reason behind the shared name lies in the appearance of Biscuit Salam, which resembles a salami sausage due to its long and thick shape. If you’re intrigued by this Romanian dessert, be sure to try it out for yourself using the simple recipe provided below.
Romanian Ricotta Pastries with Lemon Twist
Hailing from Romania, Branzoaice is a type of sweet pastry that has gained popularity worldwide for its unique flavor combination. The traditional recipe pairs the brightness of lemon with the creamy richness of soft ricotta cheese, making it an ideal treat for tea time or as a dessert. By following this simple recipe, you can create your own Branzoaice and enjoy them as a sweet snack or even as a creative breakfast alternative.
They’re surprisingly easy to make and their distinctive folding pattern gives them a charming appearance, reminiscent of flowers – so don’t be afraid to give them a try!
Transylvanian White Bean Dip Delight
Savoring the flavors of Transylvania, we come across fasole batuta – a delectable vegan puree made from white beans. This scrumptious dip or side dish owes its sweetness and stickiness to the caramelized onions it incorporates, and surprisingly pairs amazingly well with meats such as sausages and pork, as well as vegetables like onions and peppers.
The versatility of fasole batuta allows you to enjoy it in various ways – spread it over a piece of fresh bread for a satisfying snack or use it as an accompaniment to your meals. Whether at home or trying out a new recipe, fasole batuta is definitely worth exploring.
Hearty Meatball Soup, Romanian Style
Often, people’s minds are blown by the rich flavors and aromas of traditional Romanian cuisine. One such dish that is sure to capture your attention is Ciorba de perisoare – a hearty liquid soup that combines the best of vegetables with delicious meatballs! Oozing with flavor and goodness, this broth is made using a medley of ingredients including beef, pork, rice, egg, lemon juice, and tomato paste.
While it may require some effort to source all these ingredients, the end result is a nutritious and mouth-watering hot broth that’s packed with vitamins and has just the right amount of zing. It’s the perfect comfort food for those feeling under the weather – so why not give it a try? To get started, click on ‘Go To Recipe’ and indulge in this Romanian culinary delight!
Romanian Roasted Veggie Spread Recipes
Packed with roasted peppers and eggplant, zacusca is a delicious vegetable spread that’s quintessentially Romanian. While the traditional recipe is often made with just these two main ingredients, creative variations have emerged over time. For instance, some versions kick up the heat by incorporating hotter types of peppers, while others opt for a sweeter flavor profile by adding a drizzle of honey. The best part?
You can easily tailor zacusca to your taste preferences, whether you like it mild and subtle or bold and spicy. And while it’s traditional to serve zacusca on bread, feel free to think outside the box and use it as a sauce for noodles or pasta, or even as a dip for tortilla chips – the possibilities are endless!
Romanian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Variety
When it comes to versatile vegetable side dishes, sarmale is often overlooked, but this type of cabbage roll has more tricks up its sleeve than you might initially think. Variations of sarmale can be stuffed with an array of meats, including the classic pork, as well as beef and bacon, making them a popular choice in Romania where they are enjoyed at any time of day, whether as a snack, a light lunch, or a side dish.
The beauty of sarmale lies in their adaptability, allowing you to adjust the fillings to suit your personal tastes, making them an excellent option for those with diverse dietary needs. With so many possibilities, it’s worth giving sarmale a try and discovering all they have to offer.
Romania’s Favorite Sizzling Street Food
Known for its hearty flavors, Romania’s cuisine often features pork as a main ingredient in many of its popular dishes. One such dish that showcases the versatility of pork is mici, which is essentially Romania’s version of sausages but with a twist. Not just any ordinary sausage, mici is typically classed as street food, bursting with the aromatic flavors of garlic and barbecue, and cooked to perfection on an open flame until each sausage is tender and juicy.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can easily replicate this Romanian favorite at home by following our simple recipe, available in the link below.
Making Romanian Style Telemea Cheese
Making its way into various Romanian recipes, Telemea is a renowned cheese originating from this Eastern European country. Its unique characteristics set it apart from other types of cheese – it has an incredibly light texture and leaves a distinctively tangy aftertaste on the palate. As you would expect, true telemea also possesses a slightly salty taste, and some recipes may include additional flavor enhancers such as cumin seeds to give it a nuttier twist.
While Telemea is not commonly found in stores across the United States, this shouldn’t deter cheese enthusiasts from attempting to make their own at home. Fortunately, there are recipes available that guide you through the process of crafting your very own telemea cheese, allowing you to experiment with its distinct flavor profile whenever you desire – or perhaps when you next visit Romania!
Romanian Beef Tripe Soup Delight
Generally considered one of Romania’s most beloved soups is ciorbă de burta, also known as tripe soup. Its distinctive ingredients include garlic, sour cream, eggs, and beef tripe, which come together to create a creamy texture that sets it apart from other dishes. When prepared with all the necessary components, making ciorba de burta is relatively straightforward, and each spoonful offers an abundance of nutrients and flavor.
This makes ciorba de burta a great feel-good food option for when you’re feeling down.
Romanian Chocolate Swirl Bread Treat
Welcoming the sweet charm of Romania’s desserts, one must-try is the delightful cozonac – a type of sweet bread that bears a striking resemblance to marble cake when sliced. The combination of rich chocolate swirls in a thick bread makes it as visually appealing as it is delicious to devour. Traditionally, cozonac is savored during Easter celebrations in Romania, but with this simple recipe, you can recreate the experience and indulge in its buttery texture and complex, nutty flavors at home.
Vegetarian Twist on Traditional Romanian Bors
Not only does this version of bors offer a unique twist on the traditional sour soup, but it also allows vegetarians to indulge in Romanian cuisine without compromising their dietary preferences. Bors is a beloved dish in Romania and surrounding countries, typically made with meats such as chicken or pork – but this vegetarian recipe adapts the classic flavor profile to accommodate plant-based eaters.
One of the best aspects of this soup is its ability to fill and nourish, setting it apart from other soups you may have tried before.
Romanian Beef Salad with a Twist
Generally speaking, one of the most beloved Romanian holiday dishes is salata de boeuf – or beef salad. This particular dish stands out for its unique blend of various root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, combined with pickles, beef, and mayonnaise. Some recipes take it a step further by incorporating boiled eggs and olives into the mix.
One of the greatest advantages of salata de boeuf is that it remains edible for several days after preparation, allowing you to serve it as a cold salad even when reheating is not necessary.
Romania’s Sweet Papanasi Delight
Focusing on traditional Romanian cuisine, papanasi stands out as one of the country’s most beloved desserts. This classic dish shares many similarities with a fried donut and is often served alongside a generous helping of sour cream and fruit jelly. The tangy and sweet contrast adds depth to the dessert, making it perfect for enjoying after a meal or as a standalone sweet treat.
With its unique flavor profile and presentation, papanasi has gained popularity worldwide, and this recipe provides an opportunity to try making it at home.
What Is The Most Popular Dessert In Romania?
Just as many Romanians claim papanasi is their ultimate dessert, it’s no surprise that these sweet dumplings have gained popularity among both locals and tourists. Found in abundance in cafes and restaurants throughout Romania, they’ve become a staple of the country’s culinary scene. With their widespread availability, it’s not hard to see why they’re on every foodie tourist’s must-try list – so go ahead and indulge in one (or two!) for yourself!
