Ten Main Types of Soviet Fast Food
Ten Main Types of Soviet Fast Food
One of the most famous Soviet slogans called for freedom of people from “kitchen slavery.” Anyone can eat in canteens, cafes and restaurants that are widely spread throughout the country. On the other hand, of course, this country also has its own fast food model. So, what foods did people choose at that time?
1. Cheburek
Reporting from brook house deli, these fried pies filled with minced meat are the most famous dish in the list of Crimean Tatar cuisine. Cheburek became popular in the Soviet Union with the development of Black Sea resorts — anyone could buy one while walking to the beach. After that, cheburechnaya cafes began to open throughout the country. There, you can not only eat meat pies, but also pies filled with cheese or herbs and drink coffee.
2. Donuts
St. Petersburgers call them pyshki and the cafes that sell them are called pyshechnaya. On the other hand, Muscovites call them ponchiki and the cafes that serve them are called ponchikovaya. People say that these donuts are different from donuts in general, but this is always a matter of debate.
After all, Soviet donuts are very different from the American version. Soviet donuts were simply fried dough with a hole in the middle and sprinkled with powdered sugar. To feel full, you only need to eat 3-4 donuts.
3. Ice cream
Ice cream stands were very popular in the Soviet Union, not only in parks, but also in malls or supermarkets. Many people go to GUM, Moscow City’s main shopping center, to buy ice cream. The ice cream stand is open all year round, even during the winter, and is very popular.
Nowadays, the number of modern ice cream kiosks in big cities may not be as many as before, but the types of ice cream offered are much more diverse.
4. Cotton candy
You could eat cotton candy in any Soviet park in summer. It is one of the most favorite (and affordable) treats, especially for children. Made from sugar and syrup, cotton candy comes in several color variants, such as white, blue, pink, yellow and green.
5. Shashlik
Shashlik, grilled meat skewers, is a traditional Caucasus dish synonymous with Soviet summer weekends. Soviet people loved barbecues. Apart from being grilled itself, shashlik is one of the most popular street foods, from the Baltic region to the Far East. But, of course, the most delicious shashlik you will find only in the Caucasus region.
6. Pirozhok
Pirozhok, a Russian folk dish of baked or fried boat-shaped yeasted bread with different fillings, is sold at stalls in markets, train stations, and in specialty cafes called pirozhkovaya. Inside, there were high tables without chairs. Anyone can choose from a dozen types of pirozhki and drink hot tea. People usually bring pirozhki from these cafes to eat on the way.
7. Pelmeni
Another version of a fast food cafe with one type of dish is called pelmennaya. In Soviet times, these were very cheap cafes and usually only had one type of pelmeni (a kind of dumpling). In the area of the Ural Mountains, apart from various meat dumplings, you can also find fish pelmeni. The dish is usually accompanied by sour cream or mayonnaise.