Top 7 Bulgarian Soups

Bob chorba is a soup prepared with Bulgarian varieties of white and kidney beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and mint. Additional ingredients include bell peppers, paprika, potatoes, and meat, but the soup can be made with almost any available ingredient. Particularly popular is the bob chorba po manastirski, a monastery-style version of this soup that was prepared in many of Bulgarian monasteries and is completely vegetarian. This simple soup is one of Bulgaria's national dishes and its meatless version is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. Bob chorba is traditionally served hot in earthenware bowls, and it is recommended to garnish it with chopped parsley or grated cheese.Expand

Tarator is a Bulgarian cold soup made with Bulgarian yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, chopped dill, sunflower oil, walnuts, and a bit of water or ice. However, there are numerous varieties of this refreshing soup (especially in North Macedonia), so some ingredients might be omitted, while others might be added – nuts are sometimes replaced with bread and cucumbers are sometimes replaced with carrots or lettuce. A variety known as simple tarator is made with vinegar and water instead of yogurt. The soup is always served well-chilled, and it is especially popular on hot summer days.Expand

Kurban chorba is a traditional soup consisting of various cuts of meat (typically mutton), water, tomato juice, parsley, and vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery. This nourishing soup is usually prepared for important occasions in the family or religious feasts. The word kurban means sacrifice, so kurban chorba is prepared as a sacrifice for something that one wishes for - most often for a sick friend or a family member to become healthy again.Expand

One of the most popular dishes in Bulgaria is known as taleshko vareno, a traditional beef and vegetable soup. The soup is usually cooked for hours due to the usage of tougher beef cuts such as beef shank. Vegetables such as carrots, onion, potatoes, and celery are also cooked together with the beef. All of the vegetables should be large in order to be able to withstand the long cooking time. The dish is seasoned with traditional spices such as bay leaves, peppercorns, and cloves, complementing the strong aromas of beef and vegetables. Although the ingredients are simple and basic, the final product results in a flavorful dish which represents a comforting meal for Bulgarians, especially during the long winter months. It is commonly prepared at home and found on the menus of most traditional Bulgarian restaurants. Before serving, taleshko vareno is usually decorated with freshly chopped parsley and a dollop of sour cream.Expand

This classic Bulgarian soup consists of beef or pork meatballs cooked in a flavorful broth alongside various vegetables. The tender meatballs mostly incorporate rice, onions, and a variety of spices, and the broth is usually thickened with yogurt or eggs, and typically seasoned with lemon juice. Traditionally associated with Christmastime, this comforting, creamy soup is a staple dish enjoyed on many special occasions, generously garnished with parsley and usually served alongside bread.Expand

Shkembe chorba is a nourishing Bulgarian soup made with a combination of tripe, water, flour, milk, red wine vinegar, garlic, paprika, and hot chili peppers. When served, it is recommended to garnish it with chopped parsley, then consume it with beer or rakia on the side. This soup is well-known in Bulgaria for being a great hangover cure after a night of clubbing in chalga clubs or mechanas.Expand

Ribena chorba is a traditional fish soup that is prepared with different kinds of fish or fish heads and chunks of vegetables cooked in a fish broth. Bulgarian fish soup is generally made with a variety of either freshwater or saltwater fish which are cooked in salted water, cut into pieces, and then simmered with chunks of vegetables, herbs, and spices in a fish broth. Typical vegetables include potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes, while the selection of herbs includes tarragon, lovage, bay leaves, parsley, allspice, thyme, and dill. The soup is often enhanced with a roux of butter and paprika or a mixture of beaten eggs and sour milk. Chopped parsley and black pepper are usually sprinkled on top of the hot soup, and the soup is often drizzled with some lemon juice before serving. A glass of strong rakija and a slice of pitka (a type of Bulgarian bread) often accompany this soup. In Bulgaria, fish soup is traditionally prepared on holidays such as Nikulden.Expand