Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, according to the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar. While Christmas traditions in Russia have evolved over the centuries, food has always played an important role in the celebration. The Christmas meal, typically held after the evening service, is a grand affair featuring a variety of traditional dishes that highlight the rich flavors of Russian cuisine. Many of these dishes are plant-based, as the period leading up to Christmas involves fasting, with a big feast after the midnight service.
For tourists visiting Russia during the Christmas season, trying these traditional dishes offers a deep dive into the country’s culinary culture. From hearty soups to sweet desserts, here’s a guide to the best Russian Christmas dishes you should try.
1. Sochivo (Kutya) – A Symbolic Grain Dish
Kutya (also known as sochivo) is a traditional Russian Christmas dish that holds deep symbolic meaning. It is typically made from wheat or rice, poppy seeds, honey, and nuts, and is often served as the first course of the Christmas Eve meal.
Why You Should Try It:
- Symbolic: Sochivo represents life and death in Russian Orthodox Christianity, with the wheat symbolizing life and the poppy seeds representing eternal rest. It’s a dish meant to honor ancestors and ask for prosperity in the coming year.
- Sweet and hearty: The dish has a sweet, nutty flavor, and it’s often served as a comforting and nourishing start to the Christmas meal.
How to Enjoy:
Sochivo is typically eaten in small quantities, as part of a larger 12-dish Christmas Eve meal, reflecting the number of apostles. It’s often sprinkled with sugar or drizzled with honey for extra sweetness.
2. Borscht (Vegetarian Version) – A Hearty Beet Soup
Though borscht is enjoyed throughout the year, it’s also a beloved Christmas dish in Russia. The traditional Russian version of borscht is vegetarian, made with beets, cabbage, and other vegetables, making it a perfect addition to a Christmas Eve feast.
Why You Should Try It:
- Comforting and nutritious: Borscht is a hearty and filling soup with earthy, tangy flavors from the beets and the slightly sour base.
- Cultural icon: It’s one of the most iconic Russian dishes, and tasting it offers a real taste of Russia.
How to Enjoy:
Borscht is often served hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of dill. It pairs beautifully with crusty rye bread or pita, adding a rich, comforting element to the Christmas spread.
3. Pirozhki – Stuffed Pastries
Pirozhki are small, stuffed pastries that can be filled with a variety of ingredients. During Christmas, they are often filled with cabbage, potatoes, or mushrooms, which are plant-based fillings that adhere to the fasting rules leading up to Christmas Day.
Why You Should Try It:
- Versatile and delicious: Pirozhki are portable, making them perfect for festive gatherings or as a part of a larger meal. They can be fried or baked, each providing a different texture.
- Comfort food: They’re soft, flavorful, and often enjoyed with family during Christmas feasts.
How to Enjoy:
Pirozhki are best served warm, as a snack or side dish. Pair them with some pickled vegetables or sour cream for added flavor.
4. Herring Under a Fur Coat (Shuba) – A Festive Layered Salad
One of the most iconic Russian holiday dishes, Herring Under a Fur Coat (or Shuba) is a layered salad made with pickled herring, boiled vegetables, and mayonnaise. It’s a Christmas staple in Russia and is often served alongside other appetizers.
Why You Should Try It:
- Unique and flavorful: The combination of salty herring with layers of creamy potatoes, carrots, beets, and onions creates a unique taste experience that’s both rich and refreshing.
- Cultural tradition: It’s one of the quintessential festive dishes, especially for New Year’s Eve and Christmas in Russia.
How to Enjoy:
Herring Under a Fur Coat is typically served cold, sliced into portions. It’s perfect as an appetizer or a side dish during the Christmas feast.
5. Solyanka – A Tangy, Hearty Soup
Solyanka is a rich and tangy soup made with vegetables, olives, pickles, and sometimes meat, although during the Lenten period leading up to Christmas, the vegetarian version is often made with just the vegetables and pickles. It’s a comforting and flavorful soup with a distinct balance of sourness and saltiness.
Why You Should Try It:
- Flavorful and comforting: The combination of pickles, olives, and vegetables creates a tangy and savory flavor profile, making it a perfect soup for Christmas.
- Versatile: It’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of the season while sticking to plant-based ingredients.
How to Enjoy:
Solyanka is typically served hot, garnished with lemon slices and fresh herbs like dill. A spoonful of sour cream can be added to enhance the creamy texture and balance out the flavors.
6. Blini (Russian Pancakes) – Sweet or Savory
Blini are Russian pancakes that are enjoyed throughout the year, but they are especially popular during Christmas and Maslenitsa (Russian Pancake Week). These thin, savory pancakes are often served with a variety of toppings like sour cream, jam, or honey. During Christmas, they may be filled with mushrooms, potatoes, or cabbage.
Why You Should Try It:
- Deliciously versatile: Blini can be enjoyed as a breakfast, snack, or part of the main meal. They pair well with both sweet and savory fillings, making them a festive and crowd-pleasing dish.
- Cultural significance: Blini are a symbol of the sun in Russian culture, making them a fitting dish for the Christmas holiday.
How to Enjoy:
Blini are typically served with sour cream or jam on the side. For a heartier meal, they can be stuffed with savory fillings like sautéed mushrooms or mashed potatoes.
7. Kutya – A Sweet Grain Dish
Kutya is another symbolic dish often enjoyed during Russian Christmas celebrations. It’s a sweet porridge made from wheat (or sometimes rice), poppy seeds, honey, and nuts. This dish has deep cultural significance and is eaten as part of the Svyatki, the 12-dish meal served on Christmas Eve.
Why You Should Try It:
- Symbolic: Like sochivo, kutya is a traditional dish with religious significance. It symbolizes hope, prosperity, and respect for ancestors.
- Sweet and nourishing: Kutya is a comforting and filling dish that combines the sweetness of honey with the earthiness of the grains and the crunch of nuts.
How to Enjoy:
Kutya is usually served cold or at room temperature and is enjoyed as a dessert or sweet side dish during the Christmas Eve meal. It is often sprinkled with poppy seeds for additional flavor and texture.
8. Russians Enjoy Christmas with Tea and Desserts
No Christmas meal in Russia is complete without a cup of tea—often served alongside sweet treats like pryaniki (spiced gingerbread cookies), kulich (a sweet Easter bread that’s also enjoyed at Christmas), and other festive pastries.
Why You Should Try It:
- Comforting: The sweetness of Russian desserts paired with a hot cup of tea is the perfect way to finish off the Christmas meal.
- Variety: There’s a wide range of traditional sweets to choose from, each offering a glimpse into Russian holiday baking traditions.
How to Enjoy:
Enjoy these treats as a dessert or snack, paired with a warm cup of Russian tea. For an added touch of indulgence, you might also want to try them with a dollop of sour cream or a spoonful of jam.
Conclusion: A Feast of Tradition and Flavor
Russian Christmas celebrations are rich in tradition, and food plays a central role in these festivities. From hearty soups like borscht and solyanka to savory pirozhki and sweet blini, the array of plant-based and vegetarian-friendly dishes on offer ensures that there’s something for everyone. These dishes not only celebrate the spirit of Christmas but also reflect the history, culture, and values of Russian cuisine.
For tourists visiting Russia during Christmas, trying these traditional dishes is an excellent way to experience the country’s unique culinary heritage. Whether you’re enjoying kutya with family or savoring the richness of herring under a fur coat, Russian Christmas meals are a delightful and delicious way to immerse yourself in the festive traditions of the country.
