Passage Restaurant

Halubtsi is a Ukrainian dish consisting of buckwheat or rice stuffed cabbage rolls. Besides buckwheat and rice, these little cabbages can be stuffed with almost anything. The most popular fillings are rice, wheat, meat, and vegetables, although they can be filled with jellied fruit and served as a dessert also.

Root vegetables are important in Ukrainian cooking. They're flavorful, hearty, and store well over the long winter. Some examples of root-style vegetables common in Ukrainian cuisine are potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, and onions.

Vareniki are Ukrainian dumplings that are made from fried (or sometimes boiled) dough. They are often filled with cabbage, cheese, meat, or mushrooms (or a combination), and can be an appetizer or an entree. They are also delicious as a dessert filled with cherries, sweetened cottage cheese, and/or raisins.

If dining in Ukraine, you will likely have a light breakfastbread and butter, coffee or tea, and blintz. Other popular breakfast foods include kasha, which is a cereal. The main meal is typically eaten in the mid-afternoon and includes a soup and some entrée with meat or poultry. Dinner is a lighter meal eaten later in the evening.

The mountain region’s most famous contribution to the Ukrainian menu is banosh. This traditional food of highland shepherds is essentially corn flour, cooked in sour cream, with the additions of brynza local salty sheep cheese, wild white mushrooms, and shkvarky, crunchy bits of pork fat.

Although the Ukraine has a very distinct culinary tradition, once you are in the country, there are a diverse number of choices from all over the world, including Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and other international tastes.

Holubtsi is a famous Ukrainian dish that translates as, "little doves." Literally speaking, it is cabbage stuffed with rice and meat. It can be personalized by the chef and may include beef or pork made in a variety of sauces.

Lokshyna are Ukrainian egg noodles that are traditionally combined with various ingredients to make casseroles. One favorite dish is made from egg noodles and Ukrainian ham, as well as subtle spices.

The culture of Ukraine is diverse due to influences from its neighbors to its east and west. This broad array of cultures has impacted Ukrainian music, art, folk culture, and architecture, not to mention the diet and food traditions of the Ukrainian people..

Perohyknown in the United States as "perog"iare small, dough pastries that are filled with any number of foods such as mashed potatoes, fried onions, cheese, various meets, fried cabbage, and fruits. Depending on the filling, perohy are served with sour cream, butter, or sugar.

Ukrainians eat their meals with a fork in their left hand and a knife in their right. Often, bread with salt is served at Ukrainian mealsbread represents hospitality, and salt, friendship. Never hold your hands under the table, and keep your elbows off the table when dining at the home of a Ukrainian friend.

Did you know that the Ukrainian word Golubtsy translates as little pigeons? In fact, golubtsy are meat and cheese (or meat and rice or buckwheat) filled cabbage rolls that are smothered in tomato sauce. The origin of the name is not known.

Ukrainian cuisine originated on the farm where ingredients like meat, dairy, and root vegetables were abundant. This abundance is still evident in the signature dishes of the Ukraine that are often prepared simply, but with numerous ingredients that produce rich and complex flavors.