Macedonian cuisine facts for kids

This page is about the cuisine of North Macedonia. For the cuisine of northern Greece, see Greek Macedonian cuisine.

Tavče gravče, the national dish of North Macedonia.

Macedonian cuisine (Macedonian: Македонска кујна, an aspect of Balkan cuisine, is the traditional cuisine of North Macedonia. It reflects Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences and shares characteristics of other Balkan cuisines. The relatively warm climate of the country provides excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits.

Tavče gravče and mastika are considered the national dish and drink of North Macedonia.

Foods

Gjomleze prepared on a tray. Gjomleze is typically cut into diamond shaped pieces

Bieno Sirenje served with olives

Turli tava (baked vegetables) with baked potato and salad

Makalo salad (chili salad mixed of cooked potatoes and red dry pepper)

Jufki, traditional Macedonian pasta, typically served with cheese

Grilled Ohrid trout

Prženi lepčinja, a common breakfast

• Tavče-gravče
• Turli tava
• Gjomleze, culinary speciality in the Ohrid and Struga region, different from the Turkish Gozleme
• Ajvar, roasted red pepper spread; can be mild or hot
• Kjebapi
• Shopska salad
• Polneti piperki, stuffed bell peppers; usually filled with rice or rice with meat
• Ohrid trout an endemic species of trout in Lake Ohrid
• Pita (pastry)
• Burek
• Malidzano, an eggplant spread
• Musaka
• Makalo
• Pindzur, a spicy vegetable relish
• Popara
• Pastrmalija
• Sharplaninski ovchi, or kashkaval (hard sheep's milk cheese from the Šar Mountains (Šar planina in Macedonian))
• Bieno Sirenje, a cheese which originates from the Mariovo region that shares similarities with the more commonly known halloumi
• Shirden and kukurek
• Sarma
• Kisela zelka and rasolnica (sour cabbage)
• Mekici (also known as tiganici or pishii), fried lumps of dough
• Chorba od kopriva (creamy nettle soup)
• Kompir mandza (a potato-and-meat stew)
• Pleskavica (also sharska and ajducka)
• Kachamak (also known as bakadarnik)
• Zelnik
• Selsko meso is roast beef, pork and lamb with mushrooms, white wine and yellow cheese on top, mostly made in clay pottery
• Tarator
• Jufki, Macedonian pasta
• Prženi lepčinja, slices of bread covered in beaten egg, then fried

Desserts

Tulumba

• Kadaif
• Med
• Tulumba
• Palačinki (Crêpe)
• Kompot
• Lokum
• Baklava
• Slatko

Drinks

Coffee

North Macedonia has a well-developed coffee culture, and Turkish coffee is by far the most popular coffee beverage. With over 5,000 establishments, the traditional Balkan coffeehouse and bar—the kafeana—is one of the most common places to go out and have a drink. However, because of the negative stereotypes surrounding the kafana, many younger people prefer to frequent the more Western-styled cafés which are also seen as being classier.

From the days of the Ottoman Empire through to the present, coffee has played an important role in the lifestyle and culture of the region. The serving and consumption of coffee has had a profound effect on betrothal and gender customs, political and social interaction, prayer, and hospitality customs. Although many of the rituals are not prevalent in today's society, coffee has remained an integral part of Macedonian culture.

Other coffee beverages such as lattes, cafe mochas and cappuccinos are becoming increasingly popular with the opening of more upmarket cafés. Professionals and businesspeople have contributed to the popularity of instant coffee (especially frappé).

• Mountain Tea
• Salep
• Yoghurt (Kefir)
• Mineral water
  • Gorska Voda
  • Pelisterka
  • Pela Rosa
  • Ilina
  • Kozuvcanka
  • Ladna