Known for its artists, matryoshka dolls, beautiful architecture, and of course vodka, Russian culture is often unfairly shunned due to political occurrences or lack of information for some. However, those are not even half of what formulates the Russian culture as a whole, and due to soft political power shifts, this is one of the cultures and lifestyles that’s not only made to look lowkey negative, but also somewhat hidden. Part of what’s taking the hit of all this, is the cuisine. Rich in mayonnaise, beetroot, fish and meats, Russian cuisine is interestingly one to explore.
Our team has visited Mama’s Bakery in Sisli to experience, rather than just simple research, Russian cuisine and take in all the history of fallen unions that’s left in dishes. A young Russian lady, named Olga, greeted us and helped us find our way through the list of served foods. She narrated briefly that this place has become more visited in the last couple of years as many Russians fled to Istanbul after the war started back in 2022, like herself.
What makes this cuisine so unique is not the ingredients themselves, but how they’re cooked and with what. For instance, the very first thing that comes to mind when mentioning Russian food is Borscht, a red soup made primarily from red meat stock and a mix of vegetables, but what could never be skipped is the beetroot. Beetroot is one of the main ingredients in many recipes of soups, salads, mains, pickles, and even desserts and drinks!
Besides beetroot, sour cream plays a major role in many dishes. For purposes of decoration and adding richness to the taste, sour cream is added to many foods like blini, a traditional dish of thin bread either in crepe or pancake thickness and served with savory or sweet toppings, as well as golubtsi, red meat-stuffed and rolled cabbage.
And of course, what’s so Russian about Russian cuisine if it weren’t for the vodka drinking etiquette? While many people around the world view vodka as a party alcohol to be mixed or gulped down, for Russians it holds so much more meaning than that. Traditionally, whoever is making the toast is responsible for pouring shots for all attendees, who better be three or more to save face. As the Russian phrase goes, “think (drink) for three”, which goes back to USSR days when a bottle cost 3 rubles. Legend says, whenever a bottle is finished it should be hidden under the table otherwise it’s a bad omen just about to cause harm.
Russian cuisine is quite exquisite in the sense that it keeps its people in good shape and health. Due to proper use of vegetables and meats, the nutritional needs are often met through the daily meals. With relatively low numbers of allergies and negative reactions to foods, this cuisine has served well. Despite very appetizing pastries like vatrushka, and desserts like honey cake, day to day choices are made wiser and more health fitting.
Mama’s Bakery: Fulya, Nil apt, Mevlüt Pehlivan Sk. No:16, 34394 Şişli/İstanbul