Russians have some vastly unique and appetizing traditional breakfast dishes! Enjoyed at the start of their day, Breakfast is considered to be one of the most important meals amongst Russians. Commonly eaten breakfast items range from pancakes filled with jams, sweetened condensed milk and curds to grilled meats and hearty soups.
In this blog post, let’s take a look at some of the most mouth-watering and widely eaten breakfast dishes by Russians.
Table of Contents
What do Russians eat for breakfast?
Have you ever eaten breakfast items from Russia? Russian breakfasts resemble American breakfasts in many respects. They frequently have coffee or tea to start the day. Another popular morning staple is buttered bread, followed by eggs and sausage.
However, when it comes to its sweet delicacies, Russia really excels. Sitting around a Russian breakfast table would be acceptable if you enjoy morning pastries and other sweet delights.
Russians commonly start their day with eggs, bacon, or sausage. Other popular breakfast items include blini (Russian pancakes), kasha (Russian porridge), toast, and cereal. Drinks of choice include coffee or tea.
If you’re planning a trip to Russia this year, it’s important to find out what Russian breakfast staples you should try! Be sure to try some of the most popular breakfast items, and don’t forget to drink plenty of coffee or tea to stay energized all morning long!
Traditional Russian breakfast
1. Blini (Russian pancakes)
A blini, also known as a blin, is an Eastern European pancake that is usually baked from wheat or buckwheat flour and eaten with smetana, tvorog, butter, caviar, and other toppings in Russia and more broadly throughout Eastern Europe. In Russia, blinis are among the most well-liked and often consumed foods.
There’s something about blini that just makes them irresistible. From the first time you try them, you’ll be hooked on this traditional Russian breakfast dish.
Although they can be eaten at any time of the day, blini are best enjoyed as a weekend breakfast option – easy to prepare and requires no cooking skills!
You can fill them with fruit, or yogurt – there is no limit to what you can put in your pancake! Serve them with sour cream and jam on top for an extra boost of sweetness.
2. Pelmeni
Russian food dumplings called pelmeni have a filling enclosed in a thin layer of unleavened dough. It is disputed if they came from Siberia or the Ural. The “heart of Russian cuisine” has been called pelmeni.
Pelmeni is a type of dumpling that is commonly eaten as breakfast in Russia. They are often steamed or boiled in water and served with a dipping sauce.
They can be filled with anything from beef to chicken to vegetables. Pelmeni makes an excellent start to your day – packed full of nutrients and delicious too!
3. Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff, also known as Beef Stroganov, is a traditional Russian meal made of sautéed beef pieces served with a mustard-and-smetana sauce.
Since its creation in Russia in the middle of the 19th century, it has gained popularity all over the world with significant changes made to the original recipe. Numerous variations of mushrooms are prevalent.
One of the most popular breakfast dishes in Russia is beef stroganoff. It can be served with rice or potatoes for a complete meal. Beef stroganoff also makes an excellent dinner option as it tastes great. You should try this if you’re in Russia!
4. Syrniki
Syrniki is a delicious pancake-like dish that is popular in Russia and many other parts of the world.
They can be made from flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and baking powder and they vary depending on the region. Some variants include poppy seeds, raisins, or nuts.
They can be eaten as is or with milk and/or honey. This is a great breakfast option as it is light on your stomach and the sweetness is quite balanced as well.
5. Kasha (Porridge)
With shchi, or cabbage soup, taking the top spot on the list of the most adored dishes in Russian cuisine, kasha is properly regarded as a staple food. This is demonstrated by the proverb “Shchi da kasha – pishcha nasha,” which translates as “Shchi and kasha are our kind of cuisine.”
Kasha, which can be eaten for breakfast, or dinner, as a side dish typically served with soup, or as a standalone meal, is actually a nutritious porridge cooked with cereals or pseudocereals.
Kasha’s adaptability allows it to be either sweet or savory and as straightforward or complex as needed.
Kasha is a type of porridge made from oats, wheat, and barley. It can be served with vegetables, meat, or eggs. Kasha is usually eaten as breakfast but can also be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
6. Borscht
Russian breakfast staples like bliny (pancakes) and kasha (porridge) are perfect for chilly mornings or as a light lunch. But what about the traditional borscht? If you’re curious about this iconic Russian dish, here’s some information on it.
Borscht is a beet and potato soup that typically includes cabbage, sauerkraut, and mushrooms. It can be served cold or at room temperature and is usually topped with sour cream, caviar, or meatballs.
Whether you’re looking to try something new for breakfast or want to revisit an old favorite, borscht is worth trying out!
7. Pirozhki
What could be a better way to start the day than with a filling, delicious Russian dumpling? Pirozhki are just that – dumplings filled with anything from minced meat to cheese and vegetables.
There are sweet and savory variations for those who want something different, while their delicate wrapper makes them perfect for breakfast or lunch alike.
Whether you’re in the mood for something light and airy for breakfast or something hearty to fill you up till lunchtime, there’s a pirozhki variant that will hit the spot!
8. Shashlik
If you’re a fan of traditional Russian dishes then you’ll love shashlik. This popular breakfast item is made from minced meat, spices, and vegetables cooked on a stick – making it the perfect meal for those fasting during Lent.
It can also be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course, so there’s always something to suit your taste.
If you’re visiting Russia then make sure to try this delicious dish!
Popular Russian breakfast
9. Kamchatka crab
Kamchatka crab is a favorite breakfast for many Russians. If you are looking for something healthy and tasty to start your day, kamchatka crab is the answer! It can be cooked in a variety of ways – boiled, steamed, or barbecued – so there’s sure to be a way that you will love it.
Make sure you shop with caution when shopping for kamchatka crab as some varieties contain high levels of mercury. If pregnant or breastfeeding, try to avoid these types of crabs altogether.
10. Black Sea barabulka
Russians are known for their love of breakfast, and black sea barabulka is no exception. Red mullet also called “barabuli,” is a kind of tiny fish that is located close to the Black Sea shore and is scientifically known as Mullus barbatus.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Georgians love to eat fried, crispy red mullet, especially in the coastal regions.
The crispiness and the taste of this breakfast is the reason why Russians love this breakfast, so if you’re in Russia and wanted to have a fulfilling breakfast, this is the one!
11. Kvass
Kvass is a popular breakfast drink in Russia that is made of rye bread and sour milk.
It can be enjoyed hot or cold and is considered to be a healthy meal option due to the high levels of antioxidants it contains. Kvass can be customized to your liking by adding different herbs, spices, and fruits.
12. Varenye
The traditional Russian jam known as varanye can be found in every Russian home, at every market, and at every post-meal tea ritual.
It is one of the best cures for the common cold, the flu, and winter blues in addition to being incredibly delicious and visually appealing (the berries or fruits in authentic varenye are whole and covered with jelly).
Varenye is a popular topping for Russian blini (pancakes) and yogurt. It is offered with tea, and can be consumed on its own or substituted for sugar in your teapot. If you want a sweet and warm meal, you should try this breakfast option!
13. Vinegret
Vinegret, also known as Russian vinaigrette, is a popular salad in Russian cuisine and other post-Soviet nations. Diced cooked vegetables, chopped onions, sauerkraut, and/or brined pickles are all examples of this sort of food. Sometimes additional ingredients are also added, such as green peas or beans.
It is made using winter veggies and is particularly well-liked in the cooler months when farmer’s markets are no longer stocking fresh cucumbers and tomatoes.
The majority of people appreciate it since they can grow their own veggies and store them for the winter.
They also produce sauerkraut and dill pickles, two ingredients required for traditional Shchi Soup. If you are vegan and wanted to eat a different kind of salad, you should try this vinegret!
14. Okroshka
Russian cold soup called okroshka is the ideal thing to have on a hot summer day. It’s simultaneously quite filling and refreshing.
This chilled soup is flavorful and filling thanks to the crunchy texture of the cucumbers and radishes and the wonderful perfume of fresh herbs.
If you’re looking for a filling Russian breakfast that will keep you going until lunchtime, then okroshka is the soup for you!
15. Ukha (Russian Fish Soup)
Ukha is a popular Russian breakfast that usually contains fish soup. There are various variations of ukha, but the most common one features fresh fish and vegetables.
Ukha can be eaten as a light starter or as an evening meal. It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy a healthy and nutritious breakfast without having to spend too much time cooking it!
16. Golubtsy (Russian Cabbage Rolls)
These cabbage rolls are known as “Golubtsi” in Russian. The main ingredient in golubtsi is ground beef and rice, which are rolled in cabbage leaves and cooked in tomato sauce.
A delicious one-dish supper that combines meat, starch, and vegetables is stuffed cabbage rolls. This food is full of nutrition, and tastes good, which is why Golubtsi is well-loved by Russians!
If you’re looking for a delicious and light Russian breakfast, try golubtsi! They can be enjoyed as a breakfast or snack any time of the day – they are even perfect to take on road trips!
17. Rassolnik (Russian Pickle Soup)
One of the best things about rassolnik is that it can be prepared in many different ways. It’s a soup made of pickled vegetables and meat, which makes it not just delicious but also nutritious.
Another great thing about rassolnik is that it goes well with any type of bread – toast, baguette slices, etc. Plus, as a breakfast dish, rassolnik is hard to beat! Some people even say that this Russian soup might just be one of the world’s most popular breakfast dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the typical Russian breakfast?
The famed huge and thin pancakes (Blini), cottage cheese pancakes (Syrniki), buckwheat porridge (Kasha), and other delectable dishes are all part of the traditional Russian breakfast.
2. What do most Russians eat for breakfast?
Russian families frequently eat cereal, boiled or fried eggs, butterbrots (a sort of sandwich prepared with one slice of bread and one topping, such as butter or ham), tvorog (similar to cottage cheese), or kasha (a form of porridge made from several grains).
3. What is a typical Russian meal?
Borscht is a red beetroot soup that typically contains some meat, potatoes, carrots, and tomato. There are so many regional varieties that sampling them all would take years. It is arguably the most well-known traditional Russian/Ukrainian cuisine in the world.
4. What do Russians drink in the morning?
In Russia, tea is the most popular beverage throughout the day. Even more people drink it than drink alcohol. In actuality, and this may come as a major shock to my international readers, Russians prefer tea to coffee in the morning.
Conclusion
So, what do you think about Russian breakfast? From borscht to blini or even rassolnik, they are pretty good breakfast options if you’re in Russia! This shows that Russians know their breakfast really well, and have pretty unique approach on breakfast. What do you think about Russian breakfast? Comment below! Thanks for reading!
Corrections to your post:
1. Blini (thin crepes) are NOT typical for russian breakfast ’cause it needs skills and time to cook it. So russians bake blini on celebrations, for their kids as a rare treat or to treat guests on home parties (most russians still make homemade food and enjoy cook for guests).
Typical russian breakfast are: 1) fried eggs with sausauges or vegetables 2) boiled sausages with cooked rice or buckwheat or boiled potato 3) open sandwiches with butter and cheese, sausage, fish, pate (russians dont eat toast-bread. Bread in russia has very rich taste and dense texture and enoumous variety of recipes, so simple slice of bread with slice of butter is actually tasty) 4) buckwheat, rice or wheat grains boiled in water or milk (kasha) – but this type of breakfast is usual for kids, not for adults (except those who stick for a healthy food) 5) tvorog (type of cottage cheese that contains less fat and water than european cottage cheese) mixed with sour cream or with jam.
Breakfast is usually served with hot black loose leaf tea (with sugar and lemon for kids or plain for adults). Water or juices dont go with meals in russia. Coffee is not served for kids and is still less popular than black tea for adults.
2. Cereals – are NOT popular in Russia. It is not cheap for daily kid’s breakfast in Russia (it costs less to cook a porridge with grains than to buy cereals), so cereals occupy a niche of occasional treats for kids like cookies or chocolate.
Pelmeni, beef stroganoff, borscht, shashlik, kamchatka crab, black sea barabulka, vinegret, ukha, goluptsy, rassolnik are NEVER eaten for breakfast in Russia 🙂 These are all lunch or dinner meals.
Kamchatka crab cost a fortune in Russia, so common folks eat it in very rare occasions 😂
Black sea barabulka is smth most russians have never even heard about in their lifes. May be some local dish. I dont know.
Shashlik is strictly outdoor self made meal that is cooked on the open fire on a picnic with family and friends. It cant be made at home, because 99,99% russians live in multi-storey buildings.
Kvass dont go with breakfast in Russia, same as water or juices. It is a cold refreshing drink for quench, that is not served with meals.