Top 5 Romanian Dishes

Romania is a country in southeastern Europe, bordered by Ukraine, Serbia, Moldova, Hungary, and Bulgaria. It is located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula and is washed by the waters of the Black Sea from the south. Along Romania's Black Sea coast, there are wide beaches, many of which have been awarded the Blue Flag of the EU. Clean water and lack of tides create almost ideal conditions for windsurfing, and many rivers in Romania are excellent for kayaking.

Romania's history has never been peaceful. Many tribes, and later nations, passed through these lands since the Great Migration Period, leaving their mark on Romanian culture and traditions. The national cuisine was not exempt from this influence.

So, besides sunny beaches, rich historical heritage, and mystical legends about Count Dracula, in Romania, you can enjoy incredible craft wines and taste unique dishes of local cuisine by visiting traditional restaurants or local farms.

Romanian cuisine is considered one of the tastiest on the European continent. Today, I present to you 5 traditional Romanian dishes that will undoubtedly please your taste buds.

Mamaliga

Photo: Mamaliga, Source: https://whereismyspoon.co

Mamaliga is considered a Romanian national treasure. This dish is often served with branza (cheese), homemade cream cheese, sauce with forest mushrooms, or crispy bacon. The method of preparing and serving this cornmeal-based dish has been known since ancient times and is passed down in Romanian families from generation to generation. Traditionally, mamaliga was cooked in a special round-bottomed cauldron called "chaun." After boiling, the porridge was poured into the center of a wooden village table with a special recess. There, mamaliga would cool down, retaining its round shape. The porridge was then cut into portions using a stretched thread or thin string. Today, mamaliga is prepared in more modern ways, but in many rural households in Romania, you can still notice tables curved and shining in the center – a sign of the daily tradition of eating mamaliga.

Ciorba

Photo: Ciorba, Source: https://vatra.ro

Ciorba is a traditional Romanian soup, made with vegetables, pork, chicken, beef, or even fish. However, the dominant taste of the dish is sour, achieved by adding lemon or juice from pickled cabbage. To the finished ciorba, eggs, noodles, or sour cream are often added. Sometimes, this soup can be prepared with liver, pork bones, and beetroots. The dish is served hot and often accompanied by pickled hot peppers and fragrant bread.

Sarmale

Photo: Sarmale, Source: https://centraltransylvania.com

Sarmale is a mixture of meat stuffing, rice, and vegetables wrapped in pickled cabbage or grape leaves. Sarmale is considered a truly folk dish in Romania. It is prepared for everyday meals and served on family holidays, Christmas, or Easter. Traditionally, Sarmale is served with spicy sour cream sauce, special yogurt, or a snack with horseradish.

Salata de vinete

Photo: Salatа de vinete, Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com

Salata de vinete is a traditional Romanian summer dish. First, eggplants are fried or baked over an open fire. Then, the vegetables are chopped to make the dish look like grainy mousse. Oil, salt, and lemon juice are added to the mixture. The dish has countless variations. For example, some recipes include adding raw onions, egg yolks, and sour cream sauce. It is believed that the best drink to pair with Salata de vinete is a glass of dry white or red Romanian wine.

Placinta

Photo: Placinta, Source: https://www.tasteatlas.com

Placinta is a traditional Romanian pastry made from thin dough, made from flour, water, eggs, milk, yeast, and a pinch of salt. The filling depends on the mood - it can be homemade cheese, branza, sweet cheese, mashed potatoes, stewed cabbage, fruits, berries, jams, and much more. Depending on the filling, placinta can be a snack, main course, or dessert. The dish is usually served warm, sometimes accompanied by sour cream sauce.