An Insider’s Look at the Food Culture of Bulgaria

When most people think of Bulgaria, the first things that come to mind are the country’s incredible wine and its tasty cuisine. While those are both important parts of the Bulgarian food culture, there’s so much more to it than that. The foods you’ll find in this part of the world might be different from what you’re used to, but you’ll love them just as much as any of your favorites. If you want to learn more about the food culture of Bulgaria, keep reading!

Introduction

When most people think of Bulgarian cuisine, they think of greasy food that doesn’t taste very good. However, there is so much more to the food culture of Bulgaria than that! In fact, there are many delicious and healthy dishes to be found in this country. From traditional breakfast foods to unique drinks and dinner items, there is something for everyone in Bulgaria. Keep reading to learn more about the food culture of this fascinating country! A dish with a taste that can only be described as rustic but incredibly sophisticated, Harmancha are a must-try when visiting Bulgaria. The traditional meal is made up of yogurt, walnuts, garlic cloves, onions and bread crumbs then cooked over low heat until the mixture turns into a golden crust. Harmancha is served over thin slices of tomato with salt and pepper on top.
One of the best lunches you’ll find anywhere in Eastern Europe; Bulgur pilaf resembles risotto with it’s rich creaminess but differs by being made from fine bulgur wheat instead of rice or semolina. While Bulgur pilaf does contain cheese and butter, it can also be prepared vegan if you request no cheese on your plate!

Breakfast

In Bulgaria, breakfast is usually a smaller meal than what we’re used to in the States. It might consist of some cheese, ham, and bread, or even just a slice of cake.Bulgarian breakfasts consist of yogurt or sour milk mixed with water, honey or sugar (the most common combinations), boiled eggs, fresh fruit juice, coffee or tea. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and it’s usually eaten around 1 or 2pm. Dinner is typically a lighter meal, and it’s usually eaten around 7 or 8pm. Bulgarians love to have their meals outside on balconies and patios during the summer months. It’s not uncommon for Bulgarians to eat outdoors as late as 11pm!

Traditionally, Bulgarians would spend summers on family farms, eating traditional foods such as meat pies called burek, majstara which are meat pies made from chicken or beef respectively, corn soup with beans called shopska salata or peppers stuffed with rice called charska salata. These dishes are still popular today but you’ll see them at every meal of the day. In addition to these home-cooked meals, there are plenty of fast food options available in Bulgaria as well. You can find McDonalds restaurants scattered all over the country, and they offer Westernized versions of Bulgarian favorites like french fries dipped in tarator sauce – one of my favorite ways to enjoy them! The old tradition may be dying out due to changes in lifestyle, but this does not mean that Bulgarian cuisine has become stagnant.

Salads & Soups

Bulgarian salads are usually made with fresh vegetables, and often include feta cheese or yogurt. Soups are also popular, and many are based on beans or rice. One of the most popular soups is shkembe chorba, which is made with tripe, garlic, and vinegar. A number of dishes from the Balkans region, such as moussaka, baklava, sarma (rolled cabbage leaves), and borek (baked phyllo dough filled with meat or cheese) were created in Turkey and brought to Bulgaria by traders along the Silk Road during Ottoman rule.
Bulgarians use a variety of spices in their cooking: caraway seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, paprika powder, dried hot peppers. Black pepper is sometimes used as well. Some traditional recipes call for wine to be added to the dish during cooking to make it richer tasting – this process is called mirinchevo that makes any dish taste better!

The main food staples of Bulgaria are bread, milk products, potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Milk is considered one of the foundations of life and has been worshipped since ancient times because they had no other source of nourishment. The three main types of milk consumed in Bulgaria are cow’s milk (most common), sheep milk, and goat milk.
A typical meal includes soup or salad served first followed by an entree such as plov or kashka bademjan accompanied by potatoes with tomato sauce; tzatziki; beet salad; lentil soup; musaka; and pita bread.

Main courses

In Bulgaria, main courses are typically hearty and filling. They often consist of meat and vegetables, and are often served with a side of bread. Some popular main courses include shkembe chorba (a soup made with tripe), kavarma (a stew made with pork or lamb), and musaka (a casserole made with potatoes and ground meat). Bulgarian cuisine also has its share of international influences: many dishes have been adopted from neighboring countries such as Greece, Turkey, and Russia.

Examples include Shopska salad (a simple salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions) and Gyuvechky pirozhki (baked puff pastry filled with ground beef and onion). A few Bulgarian dishes to look out for are moussaka (an eggplant dish that is similar to lasagna) and banitsa (similar to phyllo dough stuffed with spinach and feta cheese), both very delicious but also heavy on dairy! Bulgarians love their dairy products so be sure to try some яйце (yeet-cheh; yogurt), кисело мляко (keeso milakho; sour milk), брашно (braa-shnoh; cottage cheese) and other Bulgarian cheeses. These can be enjoyed on their own or paired with food such as eggs, salads, meats, etc.

Be careful not to overeat these rich foods though – they may spoil your appetite for dessert! The desserts in Bulgaria are quite different than in America and generally much sweeter than what you’re used to. You should try the local favorites like pandekaki (banana pie), sernik (apple cake), turtushki (butter cookies dipped in honey) and baklava if you happen to see them. The last option might seem strange at first because it consists of several layers of filo dough dipped in butter and then topped with nuts before being drizzled with syrup…

Desserts, Drinks, Etc.

There is a lot to learn about the food culture of Bulgaria. For starters, some of their most popular desserts include baklava, kadaif, and tulumba. Another key part of Bulgarian cuisine are their beverages. Some favorites include boza, which is a fermented drink made from wheat or millet, as well as many different types of wines. The drinks served in restaurants usually come with an alcoholic content ranging from 11% to 14%.

In addition, more traditional foods that you can find in Bulgaria include yogurt mixed with garlic and cucumbers, as well as tsatsi- a dish consisting of two layers of dough – one filled with cheese or meat and the other topped with sirene- yeast bread crumbs mixed with water. One last thing that may be worth mentioning is the use of grape leaves. Grape leaves are not only used for cooking but also for decoration, especially during religious holidays like Easter.
Bulgaria has always had a large variety of dishes and ingredients influenced by the many cultures that make up its history.

In fact, it was originally occupied by the Ottoman Empire for over 500 years until 1878 when it was liberated from them by Russia and Eastern Rumelia. During this time Turkey became a major trade partner with Bulgaria, influencing how Bulgarians ate. As a result of these trade partnerships, many dishes such as çoban salatasi (shepherd salad) were created out of economic necessity when sheep were too expensive to eat regularly due to tariffs placed on them by other countries.

Restaurants

In Bulgaria, restaurants are typically small and family-owned. The menu usually features traditional Bulgarian dishes, such as banitsa (a savory pastry), kavarma (a stew), and tarator (a cold soup). dining out is typically a casual affair, and it’s not uncommon to see families sharing large plates of food.
If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, you’ll find plenty of options in the capital city of Sofia.
There are many international cuisines available, from French and Italian to Indian and Middle Eastern. One popular dish that has recently become trendy is sarma (meat or rice wrapped in cabbage leaves). You can get this delicious meal either warm or cold. Sarmi is also often served with tzatziki, which is a yogurt-based sauce made with cucumbers and garlic. If you want something lighter, try some yumurtali tsemen (yogurt mixed with quince jam) or boza (drink made from fermented barley flour).