#LifeInCzechia Meat, potatoes, and cabbage. These are the main ingredients of Czech cuisine. They might be simple but they create traditional meals which are rich in flavors and comforting to your soul. From soups to sweet pastries, there is something for everyone. Discover the national meals with us!
Czech cuisine is full of comforting meals.
Soups
Soups are an important and integral part of traditional dining in Czechia. They are made of different vegetables and lentils with pieces of meat or smoked meat products. Sometimes, they are accompanied by bread and eaten as the main dish. Make sure to try out the following:
- Kulajda: creamy soup with potatoes and mushrooms
- Zelňačka: vegetable soup with sauerkraut, smoked sausage, potatoes, and sour cream
- Bramboračka: dense soup made of potatoes,
- Goulash: rich beef soup with paprika
- Česnečka: healthy vegan soup made of garlic and potatoes
Goulash can also be served as beef stew with dumplings.
Main dishes
Most of the traditional main dishes are made of beef or pork, but you can come across chicken or venison, too. An integral part of Czech cuisine is a creamy sauce. It’s poured over the meat. Good knedlík or dumplings made of potatoes or bread are commonly served as a side dish. Another popular side dish is white or red cabbage which is served cooked or pickled. Don’t think twice of trying:
- Svíčková na smetaně: slowly roasted high-quality beef with vegetable puree
- Vepřo knedlo zelo: pork with dumplings and cabbage or sauerkraut
- Bramboráky: salty potato pancakes fried until crispy
- Řízek: a Czeck version of fried pork schnitzel
- Tatarák: high-quality raw minced beef served with egg yolk, onion, pepper, salt, and mustard
Desserts
Czech people have a sweet tooth and never skip a good dessert. There is a huge variety of traditional cakes of potato or leavened dough. They are most likely filled with fruit like plums, apricots, or strawberries, and topped with cream or sugar. Have a taste of one or all:
- Trdelník: Popular festival pastry roasted over an open flame with a traditional cylindrical shape and coated in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
- Ovocné knedlíky: small, boiled dumplings made of cottage cheese and filled with fruits
- Pečené buchty: leavened dough with plum butter inside and powdered sugar on top
- Moravské koláče: small round cakes filled with cottage cheese, poppyseeds or fruits
- Vdolky: scones served with whipped cream or jam on top
Trdelník filled with ice cream.
If you want to feel at home, check out our categories of “Living” and “Food & Drink” where you will find tips for great pastime activities and recommendations for interesting meals. You will not only have a lot of fun but also learn about your new home.
Image source: Visit Plzeň, Klasické recepty, Wikimedia,
