Top 31 Eastern European Soups

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

Kharcho is a hearty Georgian soup featuring beef or chicken, walnuts, and rice. It is traditionally seasoned with a Georgian spice blend called khmeli suneli (a combination of dried blue fenugreek, marigold petals, basil, parsley, fennel, coriander, bay leaves, and red pepper) and tkemali plum sauce. The soup is so popular that almost every family has their own variation and recipe. It is recommended to serve kharcho hot and garnish it with freshly chopped coriander.Expand

Chikhirtma is a flavorful and hearty Georgian soup that is believed to be a great hangover cure. It consists of chicken pieces, onions, eggs, flour, vinegar, water, and seasonings such as salt, bay leaves, and coriander. It has a slightly sour flavor and a thick, creamy consistency. The soup is usually served hot, and it is recommended to garnish it with freshly chopped coriander.Expand

The iconic borsch is probably the most famous Ukrainian dish, also considered the country's national dish. It is a comforting soup made with beetroot, meat or bone stock, and sautéed vegetables. There are many variations - the broth can be made with beef, pork, chicken, or as a vegetarian version. The soup often includes fermented beetroot juice (kvas), and it is common to add meat, while typical vegetables include root vegetables and cabbage. The essential ingredient in every borsch is beetroot. It gives the dish its distinctive red color and a characteristic earthy flavor. The exact origin of this classic is difficult to trace – although it is predominately associated with Ukraine, as the country boasts the largest number of borsch varieties. Regardless of its origins, it is one of the favorite dishes across Central and Eastern Europe. For example, in Poland, there are several varieties, but the most popular version is barczsz with dumplings, which is served as a traditional Christmas Eve dish. Due to migration, the tradition of preparing borsch has long ago surpassed European borders, and is commonly found in Ukrainian restaurants across the world. In Ukraine, the dish is often served with savory yeasted buns called pampushki.Expand

Khaladnik is a cold beet soup that has been a staple of Belarusian cuisine since the late 18th century. It is made with boiled beets mixed with kefir, cucumbers, spring onions, and dill. The soup is traditionally served with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chopped dill, and often a hard-boiled egg on top. This refreshing summer favorite has a distinctive pink color and a fresh, sour taste that is perfectly contrasted by a side of boiled potatoes.Expand

Solyanka is a traditional soup made with meat, fish, or mushrooms, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, olives, and cabbage. The soup is usually served with lemon wedges on the side, but it is also flavored with lemon juice during the cooking process. If meat is used, it is typically beef, pork, or chicken. Solyanka is also well-known as a hangover cure and it is traditionally served with sour cream.Expand

Sorrel soup or green borscht is a hearty, sour-flavored Ukrainian soup made with sorrel leaves, stock, butter, onions, sugar, lemon juice, sour cream, and beaten egg yolks. The soup is also popular in Russia and Belarus, and it can be served warm or chilled. Today, there are numerous versions of the soup throughout Eastern Europe, so cooks add different ingredients into it, such as spinach, carrots, potatoes, or beetroot. Serve green borscht with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of rye bread.Expand

Ukha is a rustic Russian soup consisting of a broth filled with herbs, seasonings, root vegetables, and fish such as salmon, cod, perch, and trout. A bit of vodka is often added into the pot while the soup is simmering. Although it originated as a simple broth, it evolved into an elaborate dish during the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was served in Russian courts. Apparently, the soup is so good that it was even a favorite of Ivan the Terrible.Expand

Okroshka is a classic Russian cold soup consisting of chopped vegetables, cooked meats, and potatoes in a base of kvass (a fermented wheat drink) or kefir. Depending on the regional varieties, the meat used in okroshka can range from tongue or sausages to smoked fish, ham, and doktorskaya kolbasa (bologna-style sausage). Almost all versions of the soup contain cucumbers, scallions, dill, radishes, and hard-boiled eggs, while some versions use fruits such as cherries and apples. It is said that the ratio of vegetables and meat should always be 1:1. The name of the soup is derived from the Russian verb kroshit, meaning to crumble or chop. Okroshka is extremely popular during the summer in Russia, because it is always served cold as a refreshment, along with being a highly versatile dish that is easy to prepare.Expand

Klotski is a simple Russian dish consisting of a clear broth filled with flavorful potato dumplings. The dumplings are made from potatoes, flour, and eggs. Although the dish is Russian in origin, the dumplings are also popular in countries such as Hungary and Ukraine. There is also a Belarusian version of the dish, where the only difference is that the dumplings are stuffed with mushrooms.Expand