Tasty Treasures: Romanian Food for Kids to Explore
Romanian food is full of flavor, color, and fun! From sweet pies to sour soups, there’s something delicious for every child to discover. Let’s take a tasty journey through Romania and learn about the most popular dishes kids and families love to eat.
Mici – Tiny but Tasty!
Mici (pronounced meech) are small sausage-shaped meatballs made from pork, beef, and lamb. They’re grilled and often served with mustard and fries. You’ll smell them at every summer picnic in Romania!
Sarmale – Rolls of Yum
Sarmale are cabbage or grape leaves filled with a mix of rice and ground meat. They’re slowly cooked and served with mămăligă (Romanian-style cornmeal porridge). This is a traditional favorite during Christmas and New Year.
Ciorbă – The Sour Soup Surprise
Romanians love soup, especially ciorbă, which is a sour soup made with vinegar or lemon. There are many kinds:
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Ciorbă de perișoare: with pork meatballs
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Ciorbă de văcuță: with beef
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Ciorbă rădăuțeană: with chicken and sour cream
Kids love it warm and fresh with bread!
Salată Boeuf – A Fancy Potato Salad
This colorful salad is made for special holidays. It has diced potatoes, carrots, chicken, pickles, and homemade mayonnaise. Decorated with olives and carrot flowers, it looks like a party on a plate!
Drob de Miel – The Easter Special
At Easter, families often eat drob de miel, a savory cake made with lamb organs, herbs, and eggs. It may sound unusual, but it’s part of a long-standing Romanian tradition.
Racitură – The Wintertime Jelly
Racitură is made from pork parts that naturally turn into jelly when cooled. It’s served cold and is a winter favorite, especially at Christmas.
Tochitură Moldovenească – A Hearty Stew
This Moldavian stew has pork, sausages, eggs, and cheese served with mămăligă and red onions. It’s perfect for a cold day!
Chifteluțe – Yummy Meatballs
These meatballs are made with pork or chicken, carrots, onions, and potatoes. If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry! You can also try mushroom or vegetable versions.
Papanasi – The Sweet Cheese Donuts
Papanasi are fried or boiled donuts made with soft cheese, topped with sour cream and fruit jam. Kids love how squishy and sweet they are!
Cozonac and Pasca – Holiday Breads
Cozonac is a sweet bread with nuts and raisins, often served at Christmas or Easter.
Pasca is an Easter pie filled with sweet cheese and raisins. It’s creamy, soft, and smells like home.
Poale-n Brâu – The Sweet Pies with a Funny Name
These are cheese-filled pastries baked until golden and soft. The name means “skirt in the belt,” and they’re just as fun as they sound!
Learn About Romanian Culture Through Food
Food is one of the best ways to explore a new culture! With Dinolingo, kids can learn the Romanian language while discovering traditional dishes, songs, fairy tales, and more.
Dinolingo’s interactive platform lets children ages 2–14:
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Explore over 50 languages through games, videos, and songs
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Practice food words like supă, cartof, and fructe
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Access fun content on web, iOS, or Android
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Enjoy printable worksheets and flashcards
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Learn together with siblings or friends – one subscription works for 6 users!
If you’re curious about Romania, why not start with its yummy food? Grab a spoon, say “Poftă bună!” (Bon appétit), and join the fun with Dinolingo.