The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Czech Foods. If you manage to be in an Czech restaurant or you are visiting Czech Republic, I recommend the following:
1. Zelňačka
Cabbage soup tastes sour because it is made from cabbage fermented with sauerkraut. It is usually served with chopped sausage. It is eaten in every household in the Czech Republic.
2. Pečená Kachna se Zelím
In typical Czech cuisine you can’t miss stewed duck with red cabbage – it’s a classic. You will spend time in many traditional restaurants, which always serve potatoes or rolls. It should be combined with beer.
3. Vepřo Knedlo Zelo
Vepřo knedlo zelo may be a challenge to pronounce, but this is the one dish you can’t skip when in the Czech Republic. Considered the country’s soul food, this dish has a pork base with bread dumplings and sauerkraut.
4. Kuřecí Kapsa
A dish made with chicken breasts stuffed with German ham and cheese, with a German influence that makes it a unique and tasty meal, this dish of Czech Republic gastronomy is full of flavours, and is also accompanied by mushrooms and parsley. It is perfect for any occasion, and can be found in the country’s leading traditional restaurants.
5. Goulash
It is a dish originating from Hungary, but in the Czech Republic it is a staple food for the locals. The main difference between Czech and Hungarian goulash is that Czech goulash is prepared with more meat and fewer vegetables. The dish is made using beef (sometimes chicken or pork) and the meat is stewed, covered with a lot of sauce and served with bread. This bread is very popular and is called Knedlíky.
6. Kulajda
A traditional creamy potato and mushroom soup flavoured with dill and vinegar and surprisingly served with a boiled egg. It’s thick and filling, so if you don’t eat much, it can be enough. It is very suitable for the cold autumn and winter.
7. Bramboráky
Bramboráky are delicious golden fried potato pancakes that may not be the Czech invention, but they are very popular and can be a small snack while waiting for the main course.
8. Tatarák
Tatarak is fresh minced meat mixed with egg yolk and served with a bunch of spices. It can be mixed together, but it is better to ask for it to be served separately. This way you will have the meat in the centre of the plate, and garlic, chopped onion, salt, mustard, pepper, paprika, chopped cucumber and ketchup or Worcestershire sauce around it.
9. Svíčková Na Smetaně
Svíčková na smetaně is a unique and traditional Czech dish. It consists of beef tenderloin soaked in vegetable sauce and served with a slice of lemon, cranberry sauce, cream and bread dumplings. It sounds strange but it tastes good.
10. Bread Knedliky
It is a spongy bread capable of absorbing the flavours around it, establishing itself as a real delicacy. They can be made from potatoes or bread rolls, adding eggs, flour, milk and salt. Once integrated and kneaded into a cylinder shape, they are boiled and then cut into slices of approximately two centimetres. They are usually white or yellow in colour and are served on the side of each plate, superimposed on the food in question.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.