Romania has long stood at the crossroads of East and West, absorbing influences from travelers and neighboring cultures — a bridge between European tradition and Eastern influences. Over time, Romanian chefs and home cooks have skillfully reinterpreted these diverse flavors, crafting dishes that honor local resources while enriching the deep culinary traditions that have flourished here for centuries, according to nationalgeographic.com”.
A new generation of chefs — many trained in top European kitchens — are returning home, eager to blend modern techniques with Romania’s rich culinary heritage. They join Romanian cooks and expat chefs who have made Bucharest home, to create a dynamic and diverse gastronomic landscape.
Eat where the locals eat
With hundreds of restaurants catering to a city of two million people, choosing where to eat can be daunting. While guidebooks often lead tourists to iconic spots like Caru’ cu bere and Hanu’ lui Manuc, locals have their own best-kept secrets, tucked inside historical mansions or disguised as humble market stalls.
You’ll find Bǎcǎnia Veche in an old building just off the lively Piața Romană. With its exposed brick walls and wooden shelves lined with artisanal preserves and wildflower honey, it sets the stage for nostalgic dishes that bring back childhood memories and grandmother’s cooking. Its fork-tender pork roast lays on the fluffiest mashed potatoes and it is smothered in a silky, smoky plum sauce.
Hidden on a quiet residential street in a charming Art Nouveau villa, 15A transports diners to the early 1900s with its antique furnishings and soft candlelight. But the menu is thoroughly modern: Crisp-edged crêpes stuffed with feta and spinach, pork roulade wrapped in salty prosciutto, and perch au gratin with wild mushrooms and ham. On a warm summer evening, the enchanting outdoor patio is the perfect setting for a slow meal with a glass of wine.
If you want to eat like a true Bucureștean, head to Terasa Obor. This unassuming street food vendor located in the busy Obor Market is the place to sample the best mici in town: Juicy, char-grilled meat rolls sizzling over an open flame. The secret mix of ground beef and pork gives them a rich and smoky depth. A dash of baking soda makes them airy, and a hint of garlic seals their signature taste. Enjoy them hot off the grill, with a fluffy bread bun and a dollop of zesty mustard — they are the ultimate Romanian street food.
Fine dining with a Romanian twist
While Bucharest’s backstreets hide cozy, traditional eateries, its fine dining scene is making waves, too, reimagining Romanian flavors with modern techniques.
Read the full art. on ”nationalgeographic.com”
Foto: ”freepik.com”
