#1 Bigos (hunter’s stew)

With no doubt Bigos is the king of Polish cuisine. This unique combination of cabbage, different meats, sausages, mushrooms and spices cooked for hours (and sometimes even days) is very delicious and filling. You really need to taste it!

Bigos - Polish Hunter's Stew
Bigos – Polish Hunter’s Stew

#2 Pierogi (dumplings)

No comment required, you know the deal (and if not, you probably wasted your life as you have never tested this amazing dish).

Pierogi is one of the most traditional Polish dishes
Pierogi is one of the most traditional Polish dishes

#3 Ogórki kwaszone (pickled cucumbers)

Prepare yourself for the taste revolution as those little odd looking cucumbers are going to blow your mind. The taste is quite strong and particular, but if you like pickled vegs in general, you are going to love those pickled cucumbers. Snack them, cook them or mix with other vegs as they always bring another level of excitement to any dish. And if you are feeling adventurous look for the cucumber soup (zupa ogórkowa) which is made of the pickled cucumbers themselves.

Pickled cucumbers
Pickled cucumbers are great of sandwiches, as a side dish or on its own

#4 Żurek (Sour Rye Soup)

Outstanding combination of flavours, this traditional soup is usually served with egg and white sausage. Żurek very often is served during Easter but can be eaten on any normal day. Lots of believe also believe that it can cure the hangover.

Sour rye soup (source: en.wikipedia.org)
Sour rye soup

#5 Twaróg ze szczypiorkiem (Cottage cheese with spring onion)

Fresh, creamy with a secret ingredient of spring onion, this Polish speciality will change the way you see the white cheese forever. It is great for breakfast, especially when served with fresh Polish bread.

Cottage cheese with spring onion (source: foodmag.pl)
Cottage cheese with spring onion (source: foodmag.pl)

#6 Śledzie w śmietanie (Herrings in cream)

Usually Śledzie w śmietanie are served during Christmas Eve in almost every Polish house. It may seem like a very bizarre combination (perhaps only not to Nordic countries that have a similar dish in their menus) but it works! If you like fish and strong flavours go for it!

Herrings in cream (source: kuchniaagaty.pl)
Herrings in cream (source: kuchniaagaty.pl)

#7 Polish bread

Is there anything better than freshly-baked, warm Polish bread? Probably not. Well, maybe dumplings, but they’ve already been included in the list.

Polish bread comes in many shapes and forms
Polish bread comes in many shapes and forms

#8 Smalec (Lard)

This can be a bit extreme to some people but one of the most traditional Polish things to eat is bread with some lard on it. Smalec is made of pig fat with crispy pieces of pork skin and seasoning. In traditional Polish restaurants Smalec is very often served as a starter or a free snack before the main food arrives.

Lard (source: gotujemy.smaczne-blogowanie.pl)
Lard (source: gotujemy.smaczne-blogowanie.pl)

#9 Oscypek (Sheep Cheese)

Oscypek is a traditional smoked cheese made of sheep milk. It’s made in Polish mountains but nowadays it can be bought in most of big supermarkets just about anywhere in Poland. Try it grilled with some blackcurrant jam.

Sheep cheese (source: wikipedia.org)
Oscypek – sheep cheese

#10 Kiełbasa (Sausage)

Traditional Polish kiełbasa is made of pork, beef or veal meet and there are so many types of sausages in Poland that you may not manage to try all of them even if you really try.

Polish sausage is famous in the world and known as 'kielbasa'
Polish sausage is famous in the world and known as ‘kielbasa’

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