4 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Katowice

Żurek is a traditional soup characterized by its distinctively sour taste, which comes from sour leavening, or the fermentation of bread and rye flour. The soup also contains meats such as sausages, bacon, or ham, and vegetables such as potatoes and mushrooms. Although it is extremely popular throughout Poland, each region has its own version of the dish. It is sometimes served in an edible bowl made of bread, when it is common to add halves of hard-boiled eggs on top of the soup as garnish. Żurek is traditionally prepared and consumed during Easter. There is a popular version of the soup called barszcz bialy, made with wheat flour instead of rye flour. The name żur is derived from the German word sur, or sauer, meaning sour, referring to the typical flavor of this popular, hearty soup.Expand

A mix between classic American pancakes and thin crepes, fluffy racuchy are an authentic Polish dessert. They are traditionally made with apples, but the plain varieties are also quite popular. Eggs, milk or buttermilk, sugar, and yeast or baking powder create the basic thick mix for these classic pancakes. Apples are usually diced or thinly sliced and added last. Racuchy can range from thick to rather thin forms, depending on preference, but they are always smaller in size than crepes. The pancakes are pan-fried, resulting in a crunchy exterior with a soft and elastic center. Before serving, they are usually sprinkled with plain or powdered sugar. Although racuchy are especially popular as a dessert, they can often be served as a sweet breakfast or as a snack. These pancakes can be eaten plain or accompanied by a cup of warm milk. Occasionally, apples can be substituted with other fruit, such as bananas and pears, while a dollop of whipped cream is often served on the side.Expand

Śledzie is a Polish specialty consisting of herrings pickled in various ingredients such as vinegar, oil, sour cream, and onions. Due to the large amount of marinades and flavors, there is also a special variety of sweet herrings. Śledzie is traditionally served on Christmas Eve, as a cold appetizer or a side dish. It is recommended to pair this popular dish with dry white and red wines.Expand

An authentic Silesian dish, rolada z modrą kapustą is a beef roulade served with a side of cooked red cabbage and potato dumplings. Traditionally, the beef roulade is filled with pickled cucumbers, bacon, sausages, onions, and mustard. It is first fried and then cooked in a sauce with spices and onions. Cooked modrą kapustą, or red cabbage, is lightly fried with onions and bacon, and then tossed with grated apples, vinegar, pepper, and salt. Also known as kluski śląskie, Silesian potato dumplings consist of boiled potatoes, flour, eggs, and salt. The beef roulade is served on a large plate with the cooked red cabbage and potato dumplings on the side, all drizzled with the cooking sauce and topped with freshly chopped dill. The dish is traditionally eaten on Sundays for dinner, but it is also often served at wedding receptions. It can be found in restaurants throughout the Silesian region.Expand