Top 41 Slovak Foods

Ovčí salašnícky údený syr is a uniquely shaped, soft cheese, handmade from unpasteurized sheep's milk in a traditional way in mountainous areas and shepherd's huts in the Slovak Republic. The word salašnícky refers to the word salaš - a shepherd's hut where it is produced. The cheese is smoked over hardwood and comes in various shapes - most often as a lump, but it may come shaped like a heart, cockerel or other animals. On the exterior it is firm and dry with a crust and little stains that appear from the smoking process. Its interior is yellow in color with a firm texture that develops small holes when sliced. The flavor is smoky, mild, delicate and slightly acidic. Originally, it was smoked to prolong its shelf life and to be eaten in winter, when cheese was not produced. Pair it with potato dumplings and strong, yeasty beer.Expand

These thin, crispy potato pancakes are traditional Slovak snacks that are usually enjoyed during the Christmas festivities and Lent. They are made with a soft potato dough which is rolled into flat circular shapes and dry-baked until crispy and golden. Even though they are traditionally consumed as a savory snack filled with sauerkraut or minced meat, certain regional varieties are enjoyed as a sweet treat that is spread with fruit preserves and dusted with poppy seeds, sugar, and melted butter.Expand

Bryndzové halušky is a modest and simple meal consisting of three elements: halušky, bryndza, and bacon. Halušky is a traditional name for a type of dumpling made with grated raw potatoes and flour. The second essential ingredient in this dish is bryndza, a flavorful cheese made from sheep's milk, authentic to the Liptov area. The original Slovak bryndza is salty, strong, crumbly, and light gray, while the mass-produced varieties are usually milder, lighter, and typically have a certain percentage of cow's cheese. Bryndza is added directly to halušky and mixed thoroughly until it melts. The third and the final part of this dish is bacon, typically cut into pieces, fried in a pan, and sprinkled on top of the dish. This hearty meal is a symbol of pride for Slovaks, and it symbolizes Slovak cuisine as it is: simple, straightforward, and traditional.Expand

These rustic, crispy potato pancakes belong to the traditional Slovak cuisine. They consist of a thick batter made with grated potatoes, eggs, flour, and a variety of spices. Pan-fried for a short period of time until golden-brown in color, these filling snacks are usually enjoyed as the main course accompanied by various milk products, or as a side dish that is typically served alongside hearty Slovak stews.Expand

Slovenský oštiepok is a traditional semi-hard cheese made from half-fat sheep's milk, cow's milk or a mixture of both. It can be either steamed or unsteamed, smoked or unsmoked and can be produced in dairies using the industrial way of production, or on sheep farms (salaš) in the mountainous parts of the Slovak Republic, using the traditional methods. It is quite striking to the eye - shaped like a large egg or a pine cone, with a golden brown exterior due to the smoking process and a creamy yellow color on the interior. Its texture is firm and homogeneous, with small cracks developing on the body when sliced. The taste is delicate and savory, slightly salty, sour to piquant, with a typical smoky flavor. Enjoy it on its own, as a snack and pair it with dry white wines or beer.Expand

Slovenská parenica is a soft, steamed cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk of the Wallachian, Cigaya, East Friesian and improved Wallachian breeds. The cheese can also be made using a mixture of raw sheep's and cow's milk, where the content of sheep's milk must be at least 50%. The parenica is wound in two rolls that are connected in an S-shape or a spiral, steamed and lightly smoked. The rolls are bound with cheese string or chains. Its aroma is smoky with a characteristic smell of sheep's milk, and the taste is delicate, mild and slightly salty. The texture is elastic and supple, with fibers and threads on the interior, and the color is yellow to brown on the exterior, due to being smoked and steamed. It was originally produced around Zvolen and Brezno in the early 19th century, but today it has spread to virtually every part of Slovakia.Expand

This Slovakian sauerkraut soup is a hearty wintertime dish with a rich flavor, coming from a variety of added smoked pork products, sausages, and dried mushrooms. Kapustnica is related to a number of similar soups found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, but in Slovakia, it is sometimes served with bryndzové halušky, potato dumplings mixed with a creamy sheep cheese.Expand

Krapfen was probably the first European-style doughnut to appear, followed by similar varieties in other countries. These pastries are traditionally prepared with leavened dough that is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while they remain soft, light, and airy on the inside. Though krapfen can be prepared plain, they are most often filled or topped with jams, and vanilla or chocolate custards, while the top is usually dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate. The origin of the word krapfen dates back to 9th century, and the recipes in German can be found as early as the 14th century. The sweet versions of the pastry became predominant, and have remained closely associated with the Carnival, a festive period which precedes Christian Lent. Interestingly, during the Carnival, one krapfen in a batch filled with jam and fruit preserves might contain a filling of mustard as a prank. It is believed that doughnuts spread throughout many central European countries, which adopted the technique but used different regional names. Consequently, krapfen in Germany goes under Berliner, pfannkuchen, faschingskrapfen, krebbel, or kreppel. In Poland, they are known as pączki or krepel, Hungarians refer to them as fánk, Slovak as šišky, while the Czechs use the term koblihy. In Slovenia, they are better known as krofi, while the standard name throughout Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia is krofne or krafne. In St. Petersburg, Russia, the doughnuts are known as pyshki (either ring-shaped or without a hole), and there is a local café that has been serving pyshki prepared from the original recipe since the 1960s.Expand

Oravský korbáčik is a steamed string cheese made from cow's milk, very similar to its cousin Zázrivský korbáčik. The cheese is either smoked or unsmoked, visually striking in a unique shape of a little whip (korbáčik in Slovak). It has been made in the Orava region in the Slovak Republic since the second half of the 19th century when it was the only source of income for the local cheese-makers. It is produced almost entirely by hand, steaming the lumps of cheese in hot water and pulling them into strings that are then plaited into whips, a labour-intensive process that requires a skill specific to the women of the region. The texture of Oravský korbáčik is stringy, similar to pasta. The smoked varieties have a smoky scent, yellow color and are saltier than the unsmoked variety of korbáčik that is white and doesn't have a smoky scent. Smoked or not, the taste is delicately milky, savory and acidic. This string cheese is extremely popular to bring as a gift at fairs, weddings, christenings, Christmas and other festive occasions.Expand

Slovenská bryndza is a soft cheese made from sheep's milk produced in the mountainous regions of the Slovak Republic. The sheep usually graze at lower altitudes, but during the summer, they move to higher altitudes to lengthen the grazing period. Its name, bryndza, comes from the Romanian word for cheese - Wallachian. The cheese is white, slightly moist, made from matured milk, and is easily spreadable in granular form. It has a delicate aroma of sheep's milk and a uniquely sour taste that is slightly salty and spicy. Bryndza is also the main ingredient in Slovak national dishes bryndzové halušky and bryndzové pirohy, giving them a unique aroma and flavor.Expand

Zelený Klátov is a cheese producer located in Slovakia, known for using traditional methods to create a variety of sheep and cow milk cheeses. They specialize in producing bryndza, a soft sheep milk cheese that is a key component of Slovak national dishes like bryndzové halušky. The company operates in the region of Klátov, near Košice, focusing on artisanal production techniques that highlight the natural characteristics of the region's dairy products.Expand

Zax Chocolate is a premium chocolate producer based in Slovakia. The company focuses on crafting high-quality, artisanal chocolates using traditional methods and high-grade ingredients. They offer a variety of products, including chocolate bars, pralines, and truffles. Zax Chocolate emphasizes ethical sourcing of cocoa beans and sustainable practices in their production processes.Expand

Eniquem Cheese is a dairy producer based in Slovakia, specializing in traditional Slovak cheeses. They focus on using high-quality, local ingredients and time-tested methods to produce their cheeses. The company aims to preserve the authenticity of Slovak cheese-making traditions. Expand

Slowlandia is a producer specializing in high-quality nut spreads and other gourmet food products. The company focuses on using natural ingredients and traditional methods to create their products. Slowlandia s.r.o. places a strong emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices both in sourcing and production. The company offers a range of products including nut butters, fruit preserves, and granolas.Expand

Zlaté Zrnko - Pražiareň kávy is a coffee producer that operates in Slovakia. They specialize in producing high-quality coffee blends and single-origin coffees. The company places a strong emphasis on selecting premium beans and maintaining meticulous roasting processes to ensure optimal flavor profiles. They also provide a variety of coffee-related products and subscriptions to cater to coffee enthusiasts.Expand

Biosad s.r.o. is a company based in Slovakia that specializes in the production of coconut oil. They offer a range of coconut oil products aimed at both culinary and cosmetic applications. The company is known for producing high-quality, organic coconut oil, emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly practices throughout their production process.Expand

Ebenica Coffee is a coffee producer based in Slovakia, focusing on high-quality coffee beans. The company sources its coffee beans from various regions around the world, emphasizing ethical and sustainable practices. Ebenica Coffee offers various blends and single-origin coffees, catering to different tastes and preferences. They have received several awards for the quality of their coffee products. The company also provides education and training on coffee preparation and appreciation.Expand

Vlčie Sirupy is a small producer of handcrafted soft drink syrups. The company focuses on using natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Their product range includes a variety of unique and traditional flavors. They distribute their syrups primarily through local markets and specialty stores.Expand