Delights from the East: Restaurants to Explore
Cincinnati, a city known for its vibrant arts scene, rich history, and distinctive culinary landscape, holds a delicious secret just waiting to be discovered. Beyond the chili parlors and the burgeoning craft beer scene lies a hidden gem: a collection of restaurants and markets offering authentic Eastern European food Cincinnati residents may not even realize is there. For those who think that Eastern European cuisine is limited to bland potatoes and overly salted meats, prepare to have your preconceptions deliciously shattered.
Eastern European cuisine is characterized by hearty, comforting flavors born from a tradition of resourcefulness and a deep connection to the land. Root vegetables like potatoes, beets, and cabbage form the foundation of many dishes, while meats like pork, beef, and poultry are often slow-cooked to tender perfection. Sour cream, dill, and paprika are frequent additions, adding a signature tang and warmth to the meals. These are dishes meant to nourish the body and soul, recipes passed down through generations and imbued with a sense of family and tradition.
Cincinnati’s connection to Eastern European food stems from waves of immigration throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Seeking new opportunities and a fresh start, immigrants from countries like Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, and Romania brought with them their cherished culinary traditions, establishing communities and laying the groundwork for the vibrant, if somewhat underappreciated, Eastern European food scene that exists today. These communities helped establish places where the food from home could be both purchased and celebrated.
From savory pierogies to comforting cabbage rolls, Cincinnati’s Eastern European restaurants and markets offer a delicious journey through traditional flavors and cultural experiences, proving that the city’s culinary offerings extend far beyond the usual suspects.
A Taste of Poland: Pierogi Heaven
One of the best ways to experience the authentic flavors of Eastern Europe is by visiting one of Cincinnati’s unique restaurants. Each has its own story and adds a distinct personality to the city’s diverse food scene. Nestled in a quiet corner of the city, Pierogi Heaven is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving up traditional Polish fare for over two decades. The restaurant’s story began when the owner, a Polish immigrant, wanted to share her family recipes with the wider Cincinnati community. She started small, selling pierogi at local festivals, before eventually opening her own dedicated restaurant.
The star of the show, of course, is the pierogi. These delicate dumplings, filled with a variety of savory and sweet ingredients, are made fresh daily using a recipe passed down through generations. The classic potato and cheese pierogi, served with caramelized onions and a dollop of sour cream, is a must-try, offering a comforting and familiar taste. For the more adventurous palate, the sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi provides a tangy and earthy flavor profile. Be sure to also try the sweet cheese pierogi, a dessert pierogi that provides a pleasingly sweet ending.
The atmosphere at Pierogi Heaven is warm and inviting, reminiscent of a cozy Polish kitchen. The walls are adorned with traditional Polish artwork, and the aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air. It’s a place where you can relax, enjoy a hearty meal, and feel transported to a different part of the world. “We want our customers to feel like they’re eating at our family’s table,” says the owner. “That’s why we put so much love and care into every dish we create.”
A Hungarian Escape: Goulash House
If you are looking for something savory and fulfilling, Goulash House brings Cincinnati a taste of Hungary that will not disappoint. Goulash House is a more recent addition to the Cincinnati food scene, but has already gained a loyal following for its authentic Hungarian cuisine.
The restaurant’s signature dish is, unsurprisingly, the goulash. This hearty stew, made with tender chunks of beef, onions, paprika, and other spices, is slow-cooked for hours until the flavors meld together into a rich and satisfying symphony. Served with crusty bread for dipping, it’s the perfect comfort food on a cold Cincinnati evening. Beyond the goulash, the menu also features other Hungarian specialties like chicken paprikash, a creamy and flavorful chicken stew, and stuffed cabbage rolls, filled with a savory mixture of rice, meat, and vegetables. Each is prepared with unique flavors that add to the robust experience.
The restaurant’s décor is modern and stylish, with touches of Hungarian folk art adding a touch of authenticity. It’s a great spot for a casual lunch or a romantic dinner, offering a unique and memorable dining experience.
Romanian Delights: The Sarmale Stop
Further expanding Cincinnati’s Eastern European culinary landscape is Sarmale Stop, which brings its interpretation of Romanian cuisine to the Ohio city. This eatery features various different foods, but specializes in, as its name would suggest, sarmale, which are Romanian cabbage rolls.
This restaurant is known for using various preparation methods with its sarmale. The eatery offers many variations on the food, including vegetarian ones, different meat types, and different spices. The restaurant’s menu features other Romanian dishes as well, such as mamaliga, a cornmeal-based dish similar to polenta.
This restaurant offers a unique experience that those in Cincinnati should not skip.
Beyond the Restaurant: Markets for Authentic Ingredients
While restaurants offer a convenient way to experience Eastern European cuisine, another option is to explore the local markets and delis that specialize in these products. These markets provide a glimpse into the ingredients and traditions that form the backbone of Eastern European cooking.
The Polish Corner: A Treasure Trove of Eastern European Goods
The Polish Corner is a long-standing institution in Cincinnati’s Eastern European community. This bustling market is packed with shelves overflowing with imported goods, from Polish pickles and mustards to a wide selection of sausages and cheeses.
One of the highlights of The Polish Corner is the bakery section, where you can find freshly baked rye bread, poppy seed rolls, and other traditional Polish pastries. The market also offers a variety of prepared foods, including pierogi, kielbasa, and golabki (cabbage rolls), perfect for a quick and easy meal. Beyond the food, The Polish Corner is also a gathering place for the local Polish community, a place where people can connect with their heritage and share stories and traditions. It’s a place of history and community.
International Delights: Global Flavors in Cincinnati
While not strictly dedicated to Eastern European food, International Delights offers a wide selection of imported ingredients from around the world, including many Eastern European staples. Here, you can find a variety of cured meats, cheeses, and spices that are essential for recreating authentic Eastern European dishes at home.
International Delights also boasts a well-stocked deli counter, where you can purchase prepared salads, sandwiches, and other ready-to-eat meals. It’s a great place to pick up ingredients for a homemade Eastern European feast or to simply grab a quick and flavorful lunch. They offer prepared foods, and unique ingredients that you cannot find anywhere else.
A Bite-Sized Guide to Eastern European Classics
Eastern European cuisine is diverse and varied, but a few key dishes stand out as must-try classics. Here’s a quick introduction to some of the most popular Eastern European foods you can find in Cincinnati.
Pierogi: The Beloved Dumplings
Pierogi are perhaps the most iconic Eastern European dish, beloved for their simple yet satisfying flavors. These dumplings, typically filled with potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, or meat, are boiled or pan-fried until golden brown. They are usually served with sour cream, caramelized onions, or melted butter. While the exact origins of pierogi are debated, they are widely associated with Poland, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. In Cincinnati, you can find pierogi at many of the restaurants and markets mentioned above.
Golabki: Comforting Cabbage Rolls
Golabki, also known as cabbage rolls, are another Eastern European staple. These hearty rolls consist of cabbage leaves wrapped around a filling of ground meat, rice, and vegetables, simmered in a tomato-based sauce. Golabki are a popular dish in Poland, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries, each with its own regional variations. In Cincinnati, you can find golabki at The Polish Corner and some Eastern European restaurants.
Goulash: A Hearty Stew
Goulash is a rich and flavorful stew made with beef, onions, paprika, and other spices. While the exact ingredients and preparation methods vary from region to region, goulash is typically slow-cooked until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together. Goulash is often served with noodles, potatoes, or dumplings.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Eastern European Food Cincinnati
As Cincinnati continues to embrace its diverse culinary landscape, Eastern European food is slowly gaining more recognition. More and more people are discovering the rich flavors and traditions of this often-overlooked cuisine, and there’s a growing demand for authentic Eastern European ingredients and dishes.
Local Eastern European communities are playing a vital role in keeping their culinary traditions alive. They organize festivals, events, and cooking classes to share their heritage with the wider community. There is an active community that keeps these foods alive.
Cincinnati’s Eastern European restaurants and markets offer a delicious and enriching experience for anyone looking to explore new flavors and cultures. So, the next time you’re in Cincinnati, be sure to venture beyond the usual culinary haunts and discover the hidden gems of Eastern European food. You might just find your new favorite dish. Because by trying different places and meals, the flavors of old, and new meals are waiting for you. From pierogies to goulash and beyond, the vibrant tastes of the Old World are waiting to be savored, adding another layer of richness to Cincinnati’s already impressive culinary tapestry.
