Why Russian cuisine is worth exploring
Russian cuisine was shaped by an immense geography, Orthodox fasting calendars, forest and river foods, peasant agriculture, imperial court influence and trade across Europe and Asia. Preservation through pickling, salting, drying and fermentation was essential through long winters.
Why it is famous
Russian cuisine is known internationally for borscht, pelmeni, blini, beef Stroganoff, pirozhki, shchi, Olivier salad and smoked fish. Its appeal is broader than a list of classics, however: the cuisine comes alive in the contrast between street food, family cooking, regional produce and dishes reserved for celebrations.
Regional food story
Northern regions rely heavily on fish, mushrooms and rye; Siberia is associated with pelmeni and preserved foods; the Caucasus and Central Asia influenced imperial and Soviet-era tables; cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg developed more cosmopolitan restaurant traditions.
