Famous Food in Poland - Flavours from the Plate of the Poles

Virginia Woolf once said, “One cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one has not dined well”. Does it not seem like the wisest wisdom? The polish would raise a toast to it - a glass of Polish Chardonnay with pierogi on the side.

It was in 900 AD that Roman Catholics introduced the rituals of fasting and feasting to Poland. From then on, Poland's food culture kept merging with different nations and their traditions throughout history. When cereal grains like wheat, rye, buckwheat and barley that were the common food in Poland found their way into dark bread, dumplings, noodles and meat savouries, it was only a short time later that boiled potatoes, seasoned vegetable soups topped with chopped artichokes, were brought in and delighted on.

Polish people love their food - from the healthiest spoons of Gołąbki lightly sprinkled with poppy seeds to the fatty, meaty and potato-heavy portions seasoned with aromatic herbs. And they are always willing to share this love!

Polish cuisine is going to be one of the biggest highlights of your trip to Poland. Among the many tourist places of Poland, the welcoming street side vendors of Kraków selling Knysza, a plate full of Bigos with a choice of wine waiting for you in some restaurant up in the old town of Warsaw definitely take the cake during your travels. So, here is a list of “must-try Polish food” that will have you licking your fingers like a 5-year-old with his favourite snack.

Famous Food in Poland

• Pierogi
• Żurek
• Gołąbki
• Bigos
• Kiełbasa
• Zapiekanka
• Rurki
• Bułka z pieczarkami
• Knysza
• Obwarzanek krakowski
• Pączki

Savouring delicacies and taking your time to enjoy the traditional Polish food is embedded in Poland’s culture.

Pierogi

Pierogi is a staple Polish food. One that you just cannot go without. These soft pillowy crescent-shaped dumplings are made with all-purpose flour and cheesy, creamy mashed potato filling. Saute it in butter and served with caramelised sugar and you have a delicious comfort food in front of you. Pierogi is one of the most popular dishes in Poland, served in both restaurants and street stalls. Since these dumplings are low in protein, they are suitable for those who follow a strict protein diet. The Polish version of the dish is much more gratifying for meat lovers. Simply switch the potato filling with sauerkraut, ground beef, cheddar cheese, peas, and garlic and savour it with sour cream topping and chopped chives.

Żurek

Żurek is a Polish soup made from fermented rye flour and often served hot in a bowl carved out of bread. This tangy, almost creamy soup is a culinary favourite and is served with smoked or boiled eggs, potatoes, vegetables, polish sausage and a touch of marjoram. Often served in restaurants as Chef’s special as chlebie, this hearty soup is warming to the inside and aromatic at the same time. Though it is still debatable who brought this delicacy to Poland, Żurek is still the most popular food in Poland, with each family adding their personal touch to the recipe.

Gołąbki

Gołąbki is a typical Polish food made from a few basic ingredients like boiled cabbage leaves, rice, ground meat, onions and spices. Folded into cigar rolls and stewed in a light tomato sauce, this versatile dish is a famous food in Poland served in restaurants, company dinners and especially at weddings. The dish is served with crusty bread or apple butter bread rolls and is a popular comfort food in Poland. Gołąbki is a must-try Polish food during your trip.

Bigos

Bigos or Hunter’s Stew is a hearty Polish dish made from a variety of meats, sausages, vegetables, especially sauerkraut and local flavours. It is rich, savoury and served warm after it is slow-cooked for several hours to let each flavour meld together and create a hearty and delicious meal. Perfect for colder months, the stew is best enjoyed with potatoes and a slice of freshly baked bread. Bigos is a traditional Polish food that was first enjoyed by Polish hunters and soldiers but has become a special part of Poland’s cuisine. To have the most authentic taste, have a trained chef in Wrocław to make it for you on a chilly winter evening.

Kiełbasa

Kiełbasa is a simple sausage dish rich in flavour and made from a combination of pork, beef and different seasonings. This succulent sausage can be enjoyed standalone or served diced and fried on top of a pizza, in a sandwich, stews and casseroles. A centrepiece in weekend barbeque parties, Kiełbasa pairs exceptionally well with pickled cucumbers, cold salads, green beans and pasta salads. You can find it in any restaurant in Krakow, Sopot, Łódź or the streets of Warsaw.

Zapiekanka

What do you call a toasted open-faced sandwich, topped with onions, edam holland, mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes? In Poland, this famous food is called Zapiekanka! Layered on a plain white baguette and topped with some of the most basic ingredients, Zapiekanka is one of the famous Polish dishes served by street-side vendors. This snack, hailing back to the 1970s in communist Poland, this dish is hard to miss.

Rurki

Rurki is among the popular snacks in Poland. These cream rolls are a sweet yet savoury speciality of Poland. Made from basic ingredients like wheat flour, sour cream, butter, milk, eggs, sugar, starch and heavy whipped cream filled in crunchy wafer-like tubes. Also called cream horns or Rurki Z Kremem has its origins in Türkiye and Bulgaria with slight variations in ingredients, preparation and texture of the cream filling.

Bułka z pieczarkami

Bułka z pieczarkami is a popular bread roll snack in Poland, fluffy on the outside and crunchy on the insides. The stuffing is made from a combination of ingredients, chopped onions, mushrooms, greeted cheese, sausages and heavy cream. Served hot with ketchup and mustard, Bułka z pieczarkami is your typical street food sold at street stalls across the country.

Knysza

Polish people have a special place for bread. But especially love bread rolls stuffed with flavourful ingredients. Knysza is a popular snack in Poland found at food kiosks lining the streets of Wrocław. This typical Polish food is a semicircular sponge cake filled with a variety of fillings, baked cutlets, tomato, cucumber, corn red and white cabbage and a generous dollop of garlic sauce, mayo or spicy sauce topped with roasted onions.

Obwarzanek Krakowski

Obwarzanek krakowski is another famous food in Poland savoured for its almost sweet and moist interior. It is unlike your regular bagel with a crunchy golden-brown crust which is first boiled and then baked with a sprinkle of salt, sesame seeds and poppy seeds that crumb in the mouth on each bite. Woven into a string from two strands of dough and then twisted into a ring-shaped form, Obwarzanek krakowski is easy to grab from a bakery shop.

Pączki

Pączki is one of the famous sweet Polish dishes that have a deep friend and is filled with rosehip jam, vanilla pudding or chocolate. Sprinkled with powdered sugar or freeze-dried orange zest. These tasty donuts are as tasty and incredible as they can get for a person with a sweet tooth.

Seasonality, flavourful food and the crumbly moist texture of any dish are something that comes naturally to Poles. For years when the Polish did not have access to all the imported goods, they made use of what they found seasonally and locally. An aspect that is still reflected in their cuisine. From the common food in Poland of Pierogi stuffed braised sauerkraut and dried forest mushrooms to Makowiec poopy seeds rolls, Babka and other famous Polish dishes, the country enjoys the art of baking and cooking.

John Walters has said, “The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating” and we wholeheartedly agree with the statement. So, what is holding you back? Check out these Poland tour packages and hop abroad on this train filled with sweet, savoury and delicious Polish food.