Top Traditional Foods of Romania

Romanian cuisine blends Balkan, Slavic, Ottoman, and Hungarian influences. Signature dishes include:

1. Ciorbă – sour soup (vegetables, meat/fish, sour cream).
2. Sarmale – cabbage rolls with meat, rice, veggies in tomato sauce.
3. Mămăligă – cornmeal porridge, staple side.
4. Tochitură – hearty meat stew (pork/beef/chicken).
5. Papanasi – fried cottage‑cheese doughnuts with sour cream & jam.
6. Cozonac – sweet yeast bread with nuts/cocoa/jam.
7. Zacuscă – smoky eggplant spread with peppers, tomatoes.
8. Gogoși – yeast doughnuts, smaller, unfilled.
9. Plăcintă – pies (cheese, apple, plum fillings).
10. Mici – grilled minced‑meat rolls (street food favorite).