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Exploring Traditional Serbian Food: A Journey Through Belgrade
- Name
- Ryan K
- @thefabryk
Ćao, foodies!
Today, we're embarking on a food journey through the city of Belgrade. We spent nearly a month there, each day exploring the local cuisine, and trying out food in Belgrade that were both hard to pronounce, yet incredibly delicious.
Beginning the Journey: First Bites in Belgrade
Our adventure in Belgrade started on the second day with an invitation to lunch from our friend Gordie, or Goca. She introduced us to some local delicacies. First up, we tasted popara, an old Serbian dish consisting of boiled day-old bread mixed with kajmak — a creamy, fatty cheese made from milk fat. This breakfast dish was surprisingly tasty and comforting.
Next, we sampled uštípci, small fried dumplings that are doughy inside, similar to doughnuts. Traditionally served for breakfast, they pair well with salty sides like feta cheese and ajvar. Speaking of ajvar, it's one of my favorite discoveries in the Balkans. Made from roasted red peppers and eggplant, mixed with garlic, oil, and vinegar, ajvar is tangy and perfect for spreading on bread.
Restaurant to try: Prekoputa Proleća
A Quick Intro to Serbian Food 🇷🇸🍖
We are just going to list a few of our favorites items here, but check here for more:
- Burek: A delectably oily filo pastry pie layered with different types of fillings. Our favorite is with a feta-cheese, but you can do it with meat and/or spinach as well
- Pljeskavica: Serbia's take on a burger, but righteously exploding with way more flavor than a burger. If you want to be extra naughty, try Pljeskavica na kajmaku, which is the patty with a melting sour cream-like sauce on top.
- Karađorđeva šnicla: Literally translates to "a young woman's dream", due to the shape of it being...quite phallic. In all innocence, it is just rolled up pork that is deep fried in a batter and served with Kajmak (sour cream).
- Ćevapi: Minced meat formed into little sausages and served in flat bread.
- Shopska salad: Finally something healthy(-ish). This is a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers; tossed in an oil and vinegar dressing, and finally topped with loads of shredded Balkan-style cheese. Also check out Kupus (cabbage) salad for something lighter.
- Ajvar: A tangy red pepper- and eggplant-based dip or spread. It is the Balkan's answer to hummus or baba ganoush.
- Sarma: Ground meat wrapped in cabbage (kupus) and baked (or fried) to perfection.
Hearty and Wholesome: The Essence of Serbian Cuisine
As we enjoyed these dishes, it became clear that Serbian cuisine is hearty and filling. Historically, these meals sustained people through hard, physical labor. Lunch is typically the main meal of the day, with a somewhat lighter dinner — although this varies.
For a unique dining experience, head to Skardalija, the bohemian quarter of Belgrade. Cobblestone streets, folk musicians, and traditional Serbian songs create an incredible ambiance. The atmosphere is as much a part of the experience as the food itself. Just be prepared to leave smelling like smoke, as public smoking is common 🚬.
"Skardalija" Restaurants to try: Kolubaru u Šoru, Velika Skardalija Restaurant, Tri šešira
Literally translates to 'a young woman's dream', due to the shape of it being...quite phallic.
Desserts in Serbia: Knedles That Make Anyone Drool
We stumbled upon a little bakery that served a multitude of knedles, or little potato-based dumplings coming from the Austro-Hungarian side of things, that are filled with gorgeous, sweet, molten centers and puts doughnuts to shame.
Knedle Bakery to try: Ferdinand Knedle
Savoring Serbian Spirits: Rakija and Craft Beers
No Serbian meal is complete without trying rakija, a potent fruit brandy distilled from various fruits like plum, apricot, and quince. It's deeply woven into Serbian culture, used as a remedy for ailments, and a staple at both celebrations and funerals. On our last day, Gordie gave us a bottle of homemade rakija, a touching gesture that speaks to its cultural significance.
Additionally, Belgrade’s craft beer scene is growing. Breweries like Salto, Kabinet, and Dogma create some incredible concoctions.
Check out our Belgrade guide for our favorite bars to drinks rakija and craft beer!
Historic Flavors: Influences in Serbian Cuisine
One of the fascinating things about traditional Serbian food is how it reflects the country's rich history. Belgrade, with roots tracing back 7000 years, has been built and rebuilt numerous times. Its strategic location has seen it influenced by various empires — Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Byzantine — and this blend is evident in its cuisine.
Endless Serbian Street Food
During our stay, we had some unforgettable dishes. We stumbled upon a burek shop one night, lured by its enticing aroma. Burek is a flaky pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, filled with cheese, meat, or spinach. It’s oily, rich, and incredibly filling.
Across the street, we found a spot serving pljeskavica, a Serbian-style burger made from a mix of meats and spices, served in pita bread with spicy cheese and pork fat bits. The combination of flavors and textures was nothing short of orgasmic.
Street-Food Restaurants to try: Cevonik Vruć Burek
Burek literally oozing with oil 🤩
Burek literally oozing with oil 🤩
Escaping the City: A Taste of Serbian Countryside
We decided to change our pace from the city and headed to the countryside with Gordie. We visited a local lodge, which offered a taste of the region’s rustic charm. Again, folk music set the scene as we indulged in traditional dishes. We tried dimljena butkica (od mangulice) u kajmaku, or smoked pork flank (of mangulica) in kajmak 🤩, šopska salata, a refreshing salad, doused in Balkan cheese, all paired with roasted spicy peppers in garlic and olive oil.
For dessert, we had šnenokle, a fluffy concoction of whipped egg whites, yolk and sugar, and krempita, a delightful custard pie. These sweet treats perfectly rounded off our adventurous culinary journey.
Restaurant to try (close to Novi Sad): Pajin salaš
Conclusion
Thank you, or Hvala, as they say in Serbia, for joining us on this delicious journey through Belgrade and exploring traditional Serbian food. This city, with its rich history, offers a vibrant tapestry of flavors that you must experience firsthand. If you enjoyed reading about our adventures, please give this post a thumbs-up and subscribe for more.
Živeli, or "to life", and until next time!