Delicious food between the Danube and the Adriatic Sea

Culinary journey through the Balkans

The Balkans are a popular travel destination which is loved for its nature, sea and beaches, mountains and lakes, museums and ancient grave sites, but also for its culinary diversity: traditional cuisine is in fact an important part of the Balkan culture. Balkans consists of different countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria) and each of them boast of a tradition cuisine, depending on the cultural and on historical background.

Travel through the Balkans with HostelsClub.com and discover history and culture while enjoying also the most typical dishes of each country.


Slovenia

This small country between Austria, Hungary, Italy and Croatia was influenced by different cultures. Such influences became a great base to experiment countless new dishes and to expand to a rich range of flavors. Some common basic ingredients are cabbage, beans and potatoes. The must try typical dishes are jota, mustajota (a classic cabbage-and-bean soup) and prekmurska gibanica (a traditional pastry cake). For breakfast you can enjoy palacinke, thin pancakes filled with nuts or jam and topped with chocolate.


Croatia

You can try so many different delicatessen in Croatia that it is quite difficult to tell which is the best one. Such a rich history, with influences by the Greeks, Romans and Turkish and amazing geographical position left its mark on both culture and food. Today the Croatian cuisine can be considered Mediterranean, and offers many vegetable, fish and cheese based dishes. Try fuži i pljukanci, a homemade pasta served with different sauces.


Bosnia and Herzegovina

Traditional Bosnian food is often prepared with meat which is the case of ćevapi, begova čorba and burek. Thanks to its geographical position and history, Bosnian cuisine was influenced by the Turkish and Greek cuisine. Ćevapi are almost a national grilled specialty and one of the most famous Bosnian dishes, made of minced meat, mostly beef, with the addition of garlic, onion and different spices.


Serbia

Also the Serbian cuisine mixes influences from Turkey and Central Europe; some Serbian dishes are infact very similar to some typical Turkish pastries and Slavic vegetable soups. Kajmak is a typical Serbian dish: it's cheese made with fresh milk. The Serbian gibanica is a pie made with plenty of cheese, kajmak and eggs.


Kosovo

Kosovo is located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula and was influenced by the neighbouring countries when it comes to food; that's why typical Kosovo dishes include meet and vegetables. To the traditional dishes from Kosovo belong Byrek, a delicious cheese pie, which is usually prepared for breakfast served with drinkable yogurt. Flija is another peculiarity within Kosovo cuisine and it consists of layers of pancakes.


Montenegro

Montenegro’s natural resources and location on the Adriatic allows to create delicious dishes with fresh fish, meat and vegetables. Pies are an important Montenegrin dish, especially zeljanica, a pie made of cabbage and other vegetables and sirnica, a pie filled with a mixture of cheese and eggs. Try also Japraci, prepared with beef, rice, pepper and cured meat.


Macedonia

Macedonia is ideal for grilled meat, especially the tasty “kjebapchinya” and grilled meat burger (pleskavica/плескавица) which goes very well with Macedonian tomatos, carrots, lettuce, parsley, onions, and garlic. Enjoy also the the Macedonian version of Musaka, a traditional eggplant-based dish composed by multiple layers of lamb or red meat, sliced eggplant and potato.


Albania

Several Albanian dishes have Byzantine and Arabs origins; Albanian dishes are made of spices such as garlic and hot pepper and the basic ingredients are mainly meat and vegetables. Grilled chofte (Albanian meatballs) are probably one of the most popular dishes in the Albanian cuisine.


Bulgaria

Bulgaria can count on many different and delicious dishes but the Shopska salad defines Bulgaria. Made with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers sprinkled with Bulgarian white cheese, this salad can not be missed. If you like fresh dishes, try also tarator (cold cucumber soup) prepared with yogurt, cucumbers, dill, crushed walnuts and spices.