If you’re looking for your next culinary adventure, let me show you an old culture full of food delights. Bulgarian food preserves old traditions, evokes childhood memories from grandma’s table, and blends unique influences of different foreign cultures.
So, if you love delicious food, join me in discovering some “secrets from the kitchen.” As a Bulgarian girl, I will show you some of the most famous and commonly prepared Bulgarian dishes. These must-try foods are essential for your bucket list on your next trip to Bulgaria.
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Getting To Know Bulgarian Food
Bulgaria is a country rich in history, culture, nature, and, of course, its cuisine. When it comes to Bulgarian food, there are a few core things to know and many dishes to taste. One thing is clear: Bulgarians love family gatherings, welcoming guests, and cooking with heart. If you plan to visit Bulgaria, you certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty. The Bulgarian table is always full of good feelings and delicious food. Here are some ideas of what to expect from Bulgarian cuisine—dishes to add to your bucket list for your next trip to Bulgaria.
The Most Popular Breakfasts
Yes, the Bulgarian cookbook is rich and varied, offering everything from fresh vegetable dishes to meat and seafood. But at its heart are dough-based dishes like banitsa, pita, tutmanik, French toast, mekitsi, and many others. This is because bread holds significant value in Bulgarian culture. Bread and dough dishes have always been an important, even sacred, part of the Bulgarian table, both in the past and still today. As a result, many festive meals include bread and dough products as a central part of everyday life.
Now let me introduce you to the most famous and popular Bulgarian breakfast food.
Banitsa (Баница) – A Symbol Of Bulgarian Cuisine
There’s no doubt that the most famous and delicious breakfast in Bulgaria is banitsa (баница). It’s so tasty that people don’t just make it for breakfast. In fact, there’s a saying that you can judge how good a housewife is by how well she makes banitsa—though, of course, that’s just a joke. Every Bulgarian woman or even a little girl can make banitsa (баница). I’m joking again— don’t panic! But seriously, banitsa is a very important and distinctive part of Bulgarian cuisine. I can’t even imagine what our cuisine would be like without it…
This dish is very old and made with traditional Bulgarian ingredients, such as Bulgarian white cheese—sirene (сирене)—and Bulgarian yogurt—kilo mlyako (кисело мляко). Although it is similar to Greek yogurt, it’s not the same, so please don’t confuse the two as many people do. These are actually very different products, so give it a try, and you’ll notice the difference.
Bulgarian banitsa (баница) is not just a popular dish but also a festive one, especially prepared for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It holds a special place in Bulgarian cuisine. Traditionally, we place as many paper fortunes in the banitsa as there are people present. Each piece of banitsa (баницата) contains a different fortune. According to tradition, the fortune in the piece you choose will be your luck for the coming year. The most common fortunes include health, good luck, love, and money. For added fun, there can be variations like a new house, a new car, a new job, etc., to enhance the holiday spirit.
An essential part of the banitsa (баницата) tradition is the inclusion of an iron coin, usually worth one or two leva, placed in just one piece. It is believed that whoever gets this piece will be the richest in the coming year.
While this is mostly for fun today, years ago, it was a serious tradition. Instead of paper fortunes, willow branches were placed in the banitsa (баницата), and they were used to predict what the coming year would bring for everyone.
However, it is a fun experience and a uniquely delicious dish, so go ahead and try it!
Mekitsi (Мекици) – The Iconic Childhood Breakfast
I bet there isn’t a Bulgarian whose childhood didn’t include grandma’s delicious mekitsi (мекици). It’s such a simple yet satisfying breakfast.
Similar to Russian “pirogi,” Bulgarian mekitsi (мекици) are fried pasta products treats that can be garnished to suit your taste. They are most commonly served hot and fluffy, dusted with powdered sugar, or paired with honey, sweet, or white cheese (the most traditional and recognizable cheese in Bulgaria) if you prefer something savory for breakfast.
If you’re staying in a hotel during your visit to Bulgaria and don’t see mekitsi (мекици) on the breakfast menu, just step outside and find a place or a friendly grandma who is probably just waiting for someone to ask her to make some mekitsi (мекици). You will lick your fingers!
Fried Slices (Пържени Филийки) – A Bulgarian French Toast
As I mentioned at the beginning, the Bulgarian cookbook also includes foreign dishes, and French toast is one of them. We call it fried slices—purzheni filiiki (пържени филийки)—but in some parts of Bulgaria, due to different dialects and the influence of other cultures, it’s also known by the Turkish name “jiji papa.” Regardless of which name you hear, it’s still French toast—slices of bread dipped in egg and fried until golden.
This is a popular Bulgarian breakfast, typically served with a topping of your choice or cheese. Of course, as we know, cooking has no limits, and the combinations can be endless. While there are many variations of this snack, I present to you the original one, which you simply must try!
Traditional Bulgarian Meals
We have already mentioned that Bulgarian cuisine offers a variety of main dishes, including dough-based products, vegetables, meat, seafood, and more. Here are some must-try Bulgarian food.
Balkan Head Start – Shopska Salad (шопска салата)
The most traditional Bulgarian salad is the Shopska salad, made from fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and roasted peppers, topped with grated white cheese and garnished with a sprig of parsley. Its name hints at its origin in the Shopi community in southwestern Bulgaria, known for its fertile lands and delicious fresh vegetables. This classic Bulgarian dish is perfect for refreshing your summer. You can expect to find it in every Bulgarian home, and every Bulgarian will serve it to you, no matter the occasion.
Very fresh, very tasty!
Tarator (Таратор) – Refreshing Cold Soup
One popular classic Bulgarian summer food is cold Tarator soup, prepared with kiselo mlyako (кисело мляко), water, and diced or grated cucumbers. In some parts of Bulgaria, it is also prepared with crushed walnuts and fennel.
This soup is very similar to the Greek tzatziki salad, but it has a thick consistency and is made with yogurt instead of kiselo mlyako (кисело мляко).
Tarator soup is often a side dish, and it is a great option for something refreshing and highly hydrating on hot days. You must try it!
Musaka (Мусака) – The Quine Of Bulgarian Cuisine
Remember the joke about the banitsa and Bulgarian women? Well, there’s the same humorous idea that every good housewife should know how to make moussaka.
This is a very popular Bulgarian dish, derived from the Greek moussaka but prepared in a completely different way. It doesn’t include vegetables, but features diced potatoes, ground meat, tomato sauce, and plenty of herbs. These ingredients are mixed and cooked with a coating of egg, Bulgarian yogurt, and flour to achieve a fluffy and nicely golden texture. It is often served with Tarator soup. Divine taste!
Кebapche (кебапче) – King Of The Grill
The real Balkan taste lies in grilled meat. Of course, pork steak and chicken breast are among the most popular, but Bulgarian kebabs and meatballs are also very popular. They are made from minced meat seasoned with various spices and are the most classic meat dish in Bulgarian folk cookbooks.
Gyuvech (Гювеч) – The Main Old Dish
Highly nutritious vegetable dish with meat in a clay casserole. It is made of potatoes, aubergines, courgettes, peppers, okra, mushrooms, peas, and green beans combined with pork or beef cut into large pieces, tomato sauce, and lots of spices. But the magic of this Bulgarian dish comes from the way it is prepared, namely the long baking in a closed clay pot.
It’s a very old dish that preserves Bulgarian traditions, so you must experience its unique taste and aroma.
Favourite Bulgarian Desserts
I can’t say that Bulgarians seem as into desserts as some other cultures, especially men. But, of course (from personal experience), what woman isn’t tempted by sweets?
Bulgarian cookbooks feature many foreign recipes, like Turkish baklava, German rice pudding, and Egyptian rice dishes. However, Bulgaria also has a variety of unique desserts that you’ll fall in love with once you try them, I promise.
The Famous Garash Cake (Торта Гараш)
The most famous sweet Bulgarian treat is definitely Garash Cake. This unique chocolate cake features five layers of walnut meringue sponge and chocolate cream filling. After it firms up in the fridge for a few hours, it is finished with a simple chocolate shell made from chocolate and oil.
Real magic!
Sweet Salami – Sladuk Salam (Сладък Салам)
Yes, you read that right! This dessert might seem a bit unusual, but it’s a big hit with kids. Not only is it amusing because of its quirky name, but it’s also incredibly delicious.
You’ll often find this delightful treat in small pastry shops, but Bulgarians frequently make it at home because it’s so simple! To create the dough, all you need are biscuits, milk, sugar, butter, and cocoa. Just mix everything together, shape it into salami forms, and let it chill in the refrigerator. Serve it cold and sliced, and enjoy!
I know it sounds a bit strange, but I promise you’ll love this cold, sweet dessert! It’s perfect for every season.
Tikvenik (Тиквеник)
A real Autumn Bulgarian food to sweeten with is the traditional Tikvenik (Тиквеник). A variation of Banitsa (Баница), but in a sweet form with pumpkin.
You may often hear that autumn and winter in Bulgaria have the taste and smell of tikvenik (тиквеник).
Again, it is a favorite dessert for Bulgarians and is on tables every day of the pumpkin season.
How To Say Food In Bulgarian?
I know you already want to try all these new food delights when you go to Bulgaria, so try to say that you’re searching for “tasty food”—vkusna hrana (вкусна храна)—and you’ll immediately find tons of delightful Bulgarian Food.
If you want to prepare with more Bulgarian vocabulary, the Ling blog has helpful resources.
FAQ’s About Bulgarian Food
1. What Is Traditional Bulgarian Food?
For sure, the most traditional Bulgarian Food is Banitsa (Баница).
2. What Is Bulgaria’s Favourite Food?
Maybe the most favorite Bulgarian food is musaka (мусака).
3. What Foods Are Served On Bulgarian Holidays?
As we mentioned, Banitsa (Баница) is a festive dish that we serve on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but the Tikvenik is also served on these holidays.
Wrapping Up
If you visit Bulgaria, there are many dishes you have to try. Bulgarians are friendly people who enjoy spending time with family and friends, so you’re in for a fantastic experience with amazing flavors. Enjoy your stay!
