The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Bulgarian Foods. If you manage to be in an Bulgarian restaurant or you are visiting Bulgaria, I recommend the following:
1. Banitsa
Banitsa is a Bulgarian pastry, typically eaten as a dessert, but also for breakfast. You will find both sweet and savoury types of this layered and buttered puff pastry. While homemade versions are usually baked, fast-food banitsas served on the street are often fried. Fillings can vary from eggs, spinach, pumpkin, sweet milk, yoghurt, feta or other white cheeses. Sweet banitsa is very common especially at Christmas or New Year, when you may find lucky charms or sayings written on paper in your banitsa to bring you luck.
2. Tarator
Tarator is a cold Bulgarian soup composed of yoghurt, cucumbers, water and spices. Arguments about its origins are severe, as the Greeks consider that the Bulgarians stole the salad (only yoghurt and cucumbers) and added some extra water in it. Some sources indicate that Tarator was first cooked in the country far from the Greek border and no interaction with the culinary traditions of the Hellenic heirs is indicated.
3. Kyufte
Kyufte is not just any meatball. You might think that this Bulgarian dish is very similar to kebapche as it is basically the same meat with a different shape. Unlike kebapche, kyufte usually has pieces of onion mixed in with the minced meat. Parsley is also a common addition, unlike kebapche. And finally, kyufte is not necessarily grilled (as is the case with kebapche). There are also plenty of options for vegetarians: potato kyufte is a lunchtime classic, but recently parsley, courgette or spinach kyufte have also appeared on restaurant menus.
4. Moussaka
Chances are you have seen and eaten Moussaka in restaurants all over the world. The dish came to Bulgaria from the Middle East when the Ottoman Empire ruled for almost 500 years in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Moussaka is a class of its own. The baked dish may remind you of a lasagna, but with many more vegetables and eggs. The rich flavour of local mushrooms and nutmeg make Bulgarian moussaka stand out and a real treat for the taste buds.
5. Turshia
Turshia is essentially an assortment of vegetables, pickled in vinegar, sugar and brine, to which herbs and spices such as black pepper, dill, parsley, celery or bay leaf are added for flavour. Two varieties of turshia are the most popular in Bulgaria: royal turshia (tsarska turshia) and village turshia (selska turshia). The difference between the recipes is a matter of debate, but the common ingredients of turshia are various peppers, cauliflower, carrots and perhaps green tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, onions and garlic.
6. French Fries With Sirene
French fries are a universal food, but fries sprinkled with sirene cheese are a typical Bulgarian meal. On every menu you will find this option, in addition to the basic fries side dish. But the combo of freshly fried potatoes with a layer of white cheese brine sprinkled on top is absolutely irresistible – you can’t leave Bulgaria without having tried this dish!
7. Kebapche
Kebapche is a variation of one of the most classic dishes of our time all over the world: Kebab. Kebapche, as it is called in Bulgaria, contains minced meat, spices and herbs rolled up in a long sausage-like bun. What distinguishes the Bulgarian kebab is the fact that Bulgarians grate Sirene, their white cheese, on top of the bread. The kebapche is a good snack for when you are travelling in Bulgaria.
8. Shopska Salata
This typical Bulgarian salad is prepared with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, fresh parsley and grated white cheese. Vegetable oil (vegetable oil), wine or cider vinegar (if desired) can be added. Garnish the salad with grated cheese and sprigs of fresh parsley, black olives or a little hot pepper. The dish is mainly served in summer and goes very well with traditional, cold Bulgarian spirits such as rakia.
9. Shkembe Chorba
It is made from beef tripe and can be served either hot or cold. Tradition has it that chorba shkembe is one of the best ways to sober up after a long night with a lot of alcohol. It is made from beef tripe, tripe, in essence. And it may not look so appetising at first glance, but don’t be discouraged, as this is one of the dishes you’ll enjoy the most from Bulgaria’s traditional food.
10. Lyutenitsa
It is nothing less than Bulgaria’s national side dish, a condiment that you can’t miss in the middle of lunch. You have to try it, as its tomato-based flavour will fascinate you. It is a perfect accompaniment to almost any typical Bulgarian dish.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.