Typical Bulgarian Breakfasts (2024)

FAQs

What is a typical breakfast in Bulgaria? ›

Mekitsa is a popular Bulgarian dish that is traditionally served for breakfast. It is a flatbread made with kneaded dough that is then deep-fried in hot oil. The dough usually consists of flour, water, salt, oil, eggs, yogurt, and a leavening agent.

Bulgaria is famous for its quality vegetables and dairy products and its variety of mild spices. Pork and chicken are the most common forms of meat, though seafood, fish and veal dishes are also popular and lamb has a special traditional place in Bulgarian cooking.

Main courses are very typically water-based stews, either vegetarian or with lamb, goat meat, veal, chicken, or pork. Deep-frying is not common, but grilling—especially of different kinds of sausages—is prominent. Pork is common, often mixed with veal or lamb, although fish and chicken are also widely used.

If it is not completely dried, the sausage can be grilled or fried, while the dried version is usually sliced and served as a cold starter. Lukanka is consumed throughout the country, but the two most prominent varieties are known as Karlovska lukanka and lukanka panagyurska.

A full breakfast is a substantial cooked breakfast meal, often served in Great Britain and Ireland. The typical ingredients are bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, fried bread and a beverage such as coffee or tea.

The Meshana Skara is the holy grail of Bulgarian food, especially if you love meat. The mixed grill includes the classic kebapche, and other meats like kyufte (meatballs much like the Indian kofta) and skewers of pork meat and a pork steak.

Bulgarian yoghurt is a traditional Bulgarian dairy food, a hallmark of the country, produced by microbial lactic acid fermentation of pasteurized milk, inoculated with a starter culture of only two lactic acid bacterial species—Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Other major languages are Russian, Turkish (9.1%), and Romani (4.2%) (the two main varieties being Balkan Romani and Vlax Romani). There are smaller numbers of speakers of Armenian, Aromanian, Romanian, Crimean Tatar, Gagauz and Balkan Gagauz, Macedonian and English.

The country is remarkable for its variety of scenery; its rugged mountains and relaxing Black Sea resorts attract many visitors. Like other nations of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria claims a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, and the mingling is evident in its cuisine, its architecture, and its religious heritage.

What is the food etiquette in Bulgaria? ›

Eating more food shows appreciation for it, so on the initial serving take little to allow you a second serving. Glasses will always be refilled - leave a mouthful at the bottom of your glass if you don't want more.

Greet each person in a group individually, starting with women and elderly persons. Bulgaria is still a fairly formal society – initial greetings are more formal and reserved than North Americans are typically accustomed to. Address people by their titles (if you know them), or with Mr. (GospaDIN), or Mrs.

Food and Drinks

As eating out is not expensive in Bulgaria, you won't have to budget much for this part of your trip. A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant with desserts and a bottle of wine will cost between $20-50. A simple meal with a beer might even be less than $15.

The most common American breakfasts include ham, sausages, bacon, and eggs. Americans who prefer sweet breakfast would eat muffins with their hot cup of coffee or cold fruit juice. Another popular sweet choice is the American signature waffles and pancakes.