The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Moldovan Foods. If you manage to be in an Moldovan restaurant or you are visiting Moldova, I recommend the following:
1. Frigărui (Grilled Kebabs)
Frigarui is a typical Moldovan meat dish, similar to kebab, kebab or kebab. The meats used are beef, pork, chicken and lamb, as a single ingredient or in combination, which may be interspersed with pieces of sausage or vegetables.
2. Cușma lui Guguță (Crepes Cake Gugutsa’s Hat)
Guguts hat is a hearty and hearty Moldovan dessert. It consists of stacked crepes topped with cherries and covered with whipped cream. The pancakes are arranged in pyramids and then sprinkled with dark chocolate chips on top. Gugutsa hat is a much-loved cake and one of the best Moldovan dishes.
3. Ardei Umpluți (Stuffed Bell Peppers)
This is the Moldovan version of stuffed peppers, made with yellow peppers stuffed with ground pork and white rice, then seasoned with herbs and garlic. Other versions are made with mushrooms and vegetables, cheese or rice, carrots, onions, aubergines and tomatoes. These stuffed peppers are traditionally cooked in tomato sauce seasoned with salt, pepper and bay leaf and served hot with sour cream or yoghurt.
4. Mămăligă cu brânză și smântână’ (Polenta with Cheese and Sour Cream)
In ancient times, Mamaliga, one of Moldova’s traditional foods, was only eaten by the poor. But, over time, this version of cornbread became so popular that it started to be offered even in high-end and luxury restaurants. It is so easy to make that you can even have it at home. Its main ingredient includes corn flour, water and salt, and it can be prepared in two ways, soft or thick.
5. Sarmale (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Sarmale is one of Moldova’s traditional foods that has been in the country for centuries. It is a delicacy made of rice, minced meat and vegetables such as carrots and pepper, which is rolled in cabbage leaves. It is then served together with soup. The cooking process of this dish is quite long and can take a few hours to prepare, but we can assure you that it is worth the wait. Also, in Moldova, it is served with a sour cream sauce for a more flavourful experience.
6. Tort Smetanik (Madonna Cake)
Although originally a Russian cake, smetanik cake has become very popular in Moldova over time. It is such a popular dessert that it is often served at birthdays, weddings and other gatherings. It can also be bought in most grocery shops, bakeries or restaurants. This is a Moldovan dessert that is enjoyed in homes all over the country. Covered with a rich white glaze, this multi-layered cake is creamy, moist and melt-in-the-mouth.
7. Plăcinte (Moldovan Pie)
This traditional Moldovan food is a takeaway dish and is widely available throughout the country. Placinta is a fried bread with different types of filling depending on the season. During winter, the most popular filling is pumpkin, and in summer, it will most likely have a cherry filling. This dish also goes well with many side dishes, including brinza, potatoes and fruits. If you want to try the best Placinta in Moldova, it is best to visit the villages and buy from the locals.
8. Colțunași cu brânză (Cheese Dumplings)
There are two types of cheese dumplings in Moldova. The first is ‘colsunasi harnici’, which literally means ‘hard-working dumpling’. The other is ‘colsunasi lenosi’, which translates as ‘lazy dumplings’. Interestingly, the name actually comes from the fact that diligent dumplings require more effort and more cooking time than lazy dumplings. “Colsunasi harnici’ usually consists of homemade matzah dough wrapped in a cheese filling. Boil the dough packets in salted water for a few minutes. In more modern versions of this recipe, you can find various fillings (not just cheese) and even sweet jam.
9. Zeama (Moldovan Chicken Noodle Soup)
One of the traditional dishes you will love in Moldova is Zeama. It is a soup based on chicken broth with noodles and numerous types of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots and more. It also differs in all regions of Moldova, but it has the same extraordinary taste. It is a year-round meal that is a perfect main dish, as it is light and combines many flavours that go well together. In addition, Zeama is best served with bread and sour cream.
10. Borș (Borscht)
It is a comforting soup made with beetroot, stock or bone broth and sautéed vegetables. There are many variations: the broth can be made with beef, pork, chicken or vegetarian. The soups usually contain fermented beetroot juice (kvas), meat is often added, and the typical vegetables are root vegetables and cabbage. The basic ingredient of every borscht is beetroot. It gives the food its distinctive red colour and characteristic earthy taste.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.