36+ Most Popular Serbian Foods For Visitors 2022
Serbian cuisine fully converges the diverse colors of the great Western cooking, but it does not overshadow the unique identity of their nation. All of that combined helps create signature features for a whole culinary culture.
From savory to sweet or from light to heavy dishes, everything I recommend today will help you have a memorable dining experience in Serbia.
Some Notes About Serbian Cuisine
Serbia, or the Republic of Serbia, is a landlocked country that lies in the Southeast position of Europe. Since various extensive cuisines bound the country, Serbia’s culinary culture is a harmonious mix between all the goodness in cuisines of different European countries.
Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see some familiar famous foods belonging to other lands introduced in the Serbian version.
In Serbia, people typically have three meals a day, yet breakfast was a recent norm in this country as it was just widely introduced in the late 19th century.
The biggest meal of the Serbian people is lunch, and they will have a hearty and heavy lunch to have enough energy for a day.
Enough with the prolonged talk; let’s move to the must-try food suggestions in the upcoming section!
Delightful Soups And Stews To Try First In Your Serbian Trip
Do you wonder how to have perfect soups and stews in Serbian style? Here are my recommendations for you!
1. Consommé (Serbian Clarified Broths/Clear Soup)
Consommé is an ancient food that existed from the Middle Ages, and there is a fascinating story behind that. King Louis XIV of France was the first one who thought of creating a clear broth/soup so that he could see his reflection.
Many tend to think beef broth and beef consommé are two different words to refer to the same dish. However, the truth is that you can spot many distinctions between beef broth and consommé, meaning that these two are completely different.
Generally, you can expect beef consommé to be at least twice thicker and purifier than the regular broth. Although it is not an authentic Serbian dish, it is widely loved in this country, and the variation is also tasty.
To enjoy this dish in its finest quality, my tip is to drink it when piping hot. Don’t let the broth cool down, as it will form a jelly-like texture gradually. The tastes will be even more robust when enjoying fresh garnishes like chopped onions, green herbs, and egg yolks.
2. Goulash (Serbian Beef Stew)
Goulash is not a traditional Serbian recipe; it is actually a famous Hungarian dish with the original name “gulyás”. This dish in the original version also includes meat, vegetables, and spices (especially paprika).
When Goulash arrived in Serbia, the Serbs changed it to a more typical Serbian color recipe. They’ll sometimes add tomatoes and dark chocolate to the stew’s last step and serve it with noodles or mashed potatoes.
This meal was invented in the 9th century, and the first people to make it were shepherds.
Meat has been dried or treated somehow rather than being fully cooked from raw meat. This dish was only popular in Hungary and did not catch on in adjacent countries (for example, Afro-Eurasia) until the 16th century.
3. Bela ÄŒorba (White Chicken Soup)
This soup is considered a fancy soup in Serbia, and it is made of chicken broth, egg yolk, sour cream (added in the last step), and some additional root veggies like potatoes.
The name “Bela Corba” also reflects its general appearance with the dominant white shade from sour cream and other ingredients. Once trying it in a restaurant, you will realize they use it mainly for appetizers or the first courses.
When the summer comes, and the weather becomes hotter, the Serbs will love to enjoy this treat as light summer lunches with more potatoes and fresh salad on a side.
If you don’t want your ordered chicken soup to be too sour, you can ask for a separate serving of sour cream.
4. Mućkalica (Leskovac BBQ Meat Stew)
This Mućkalica, as its names indicate, is a classic Serbian dish that originated in Leskovac. The idea was to use leftover BBQ pork (a nice treat in Leskovac), and they opted to put it into a new base of vegetable broth. Mix everything in one pot and bake until done.
The name of this dish is derived from the Serbian term “Mućkati,” which means to mix, shake, and combine.
There will be no challenge to enjoy this treat, you can have it almost anytime. But I suggest you go to its hometown, Leskovac, for a better-guaranteed first experience.
5. Škembići (Tripe Soup)
Serbian cuisine is a harmonious combination of Asian, Central European, and local Balkan cuisines. And they usually include various meat, pastry, or veggies to their high-calorie food. This tripe soup is also solid proof to show you clearly about this culinary culture.
There are various varieties of this dish in Eastern European cuisine, yet, the original version is in Serbia. The first Škembići recipe was found in the 13th century, so it is considered one of the oldest Serbian dishes.
If you are curious about this soup’s taste, you should try it as an authentic restaurant before attempting to do it at home. The smell of the pork/beef tripe and intestines will be vital for beginners. Read More…
