What to eat in the Czech Republic?
Today, we're taking a culinary tour of the Czech Republic to see what it has to offer! The Czech Republic has a very traditional "meat and potatoes" cuisine, and its dishes are based on gravies and sauces. If you are looking for something "healthier", then the Czech Republic may not be for you, as Czech cuisine is generally very high in calories.
The ideal season to visit the Czech Republic is autumn and winter, when you can enjoy some hearty soups that will warm your stomach during the colder months. Here are some classic Czech dishes:
Vepřo knedlo zelo
This is the national dish of the Czech Republic and its name translates to "roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut". The pork is grilled with onions and the sauerkraut can be stewed or eaten as is, or the sauerkraut can be replaced with red cabbage or with sliced bacon and coriander seeds.
Svíčková
Svíčková is one of the most famous Czech delicacies. It is made from corned beef, usually tenderloin, and served with a creamy vegetable sauce made from carrots, celery and parsley root, and usually flavored with thyme, bay leaves and multi-spice berries, which add a rich flavor to the dish.
Guláš
Guláš is a stew with a deep red sauce, seasoned with paprika. It is usually made from beef, pork or game stewed together with onions for several hours, or you can add potatoes, coriander seeds, marjoram, sausage, mushrooms, etc. to it.
Pečená kachna
Pečená kachna is roasted duck. The duck is usually seasoned with coriander seeds and marjoram and then slowly roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and crispy. Traditionally, roast duck is served with potatoes, bread dumplings, braised cabbage, and sometimes with a thick sauce made from duck fat and flour.
Smažený sýr
Smažený sýr is a traditional Czech dish of fried cheese, in which cheese (usually Edam cheese) is covered with egg wash, breadcrumbs and flour and then fried until the exterior is crispy.
Smažený sýr is served as an appetizer or main course on its own, or with meat or potatoes, and an essential ingredient is tartar sauce, a creamy sauce made from yogurt and mayonnaise.
Bramboráky
Bramboráky is a potato pancake and is considered one of the most famous Czech dishes. The potato pancake consists of mashed potatoes with eggs, garlic and spices (such as marjoram and pepper), sometimes with slices of bacon or bacon added to it.
Bramboráky is usually plain and served with mustard or ketchup.
Sekaná
Sekaná is a traditional Czech meatloaf, usually made of ground beef and pork, eggs, bread, and various spices. It is made into a bread shape, sometimes with smoked bacon and hard-boiled eggs or various vegetables. It is usually served in thin slices as a main dish.
Uzené
Uzené refers to a variety of smoked meat products, such as pork knuckles, ribs or different types of ham. Traditionally it was smoked in a smokehouse, and now many are mass-produced.
Jelito
Jelito is a traditional Czech blood sausage. It is made from pig's blood and pork, with the addition of lard and various spices. Some jelito also includes cereal or white bread, which makes the texture a little more solid. Because it is a non-smoked sausage, it is traditionally cooked or fried before being served with mustard, horseradish and cabbage.
Chlebíčky
Chlebíčky is a mini open sandwich of Czech origin. It usually consists of thin slices of white bread covered with spreads such as potato salad, cream cheese and lobster sauce, and toppings such as tomatoes, salmon, prickly mandarin, brie, cooked ham or pepperoni.