Must-try foods in the Czech Republic

Let’s be honest here: you did not travel to the Czech Republic to eat Italian. You want traditional Czech cuisine in its best form, and you want it right now. But on the other hand, the Czech Republic doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to food. The perception of Czech food is of big stews with dumplings. Meat, meat and more meat. Oh, and lots of beer thrown in there for good measure. Yes, the food involves a lot of meat, but it is delicious too (and I am not the biggest meat lover)!

Whether you wish to try the traditional Czech cuisine or are more in the mood for burgers and fries. Here are some of the best foods the Czech Republic has to offer. Get ready to eat yourself through whichever city you are visiting the Czech Republic!

Trdelník

Is originally not Czech but Slovak. The rolled pastry originates from the Hungarian speaking region of Transylvania. The trdelník is usually served warm and topped with a dusting of sugar, nuts or cinnamon. Or, if calories do not count, chocolate.

Buchty

Is a sweet yeast dough bun that can be filled with jam or cheese. They are full of energy and are delicious. Czech eat them for breakfast, as a sweet snack or later during the day if there is a visit. I got them home made from the best cook ever, my friend’s mother.  However, you can also find them in cafés all over Prague.

Chlebicek

I don’t know if it is exclusively Czech because I have seen variations in Copenhagen and Vienna, but Czech or not these baguette-like bread are perfect to fill you up. It is served as finger food or as a side dish with a meal, it involves all kinds of toppings. I have had them with ham, cheese, paprika, pickles, egg and salami or a mix of these ingredients. However, you can also find them with salmon or shrimps.

Guláš

This dish contains stewed meat, topped with gravy and served with rice or bread dumplings. Do I need to say more?! If you love meat I would highly recommend this dish, it is a treat.

Beef Steak Tartare

Steak tartare is a Czech classic. It’s raw beef that is cut, scraped or minced and served with bread or egg. How to eat it? With bread and garlic. Rasp the garlic over the bread and add the tartare on top. If the restaurant services it with egg or other condiments also add this to the bread. Now, before taking that first bite take a sip of the freshly poured Pilsner that you order with it.

Palačinky

This delicious snack or dessert is similar in looks to the French crepes. The thin Czech pancakes are prepared with a different cooking method and batter. Palačinky is typically rolled up and served with fillings such as jam, fruit, cream or nuts.

Beer

The Czech Republic is famous for its beers and this is definitely something you should try. I am not a beer drinker, but the beer in the Czech Republic was not so bad.