A Vegan's Guide to Navigating Russian & Ukrainian Cuisine

Russian and Ukrainian cuisines are celebrated for their hearty comfort foods, but their traditional reliance on meat, dairy, and eggs can pose challenges for vegans. With MM Food, exploring these rich culinary traditions becomes stress-free—translate menus instantly and identify safe dishes tailored to your dietary needs. Here’s your essential guide.

Why Russian & Ukrainian Cuisines Challenge Vegans

Traditional staples like smetana (sour cream), butter, eggs, and meat feature prominently. Key ingredients to flag:

• Smetana and tvorog (farmer’s cheese) in soups and dumplings
• Meat broths in borscht or solyanka
• Lard or butter in fried potatoes and pies
• Egg-based dough for varenyky (dumplings)
• Fish in salads like Seledka pod Shuboy

Vegan-Friendly Dishes & Smart Swaps

Classic Dishes Reimagined

1. Borscht: Often made with beef broth and smetana. Seek versions with vegetable broth—opt for mushroom-based broths. Skip the cream garnish (use the MM Food app to confirm!).
2. Varenyky / Pierogi: Typically stuffed with cheese or meat. Choose potato-onion, sauerkraut, or berry fillings. Verify dough isn’t egg-based.
3. Holubtsi (Cabbage Rolls): Meat-filled rice rolls can be vegan when stuffed with buckwheat, mushrooms, or carrots.
4. Kasha: Buckwheat or millet porridge—usually vegan if cooked in water, not butter.

Naturally Vegan Options

• Pickled Vegetables: Ogorki (cucumbers), tomatoes, and mushrooms
• Vegetable Salads: Try vinegret (beet-potato salad without eggs)
• Seasonal Berries: Foraged cloudberries or lingonberries
• Dark Rye Bread
• Mushroom Caviar: A savory spread of minced mushrooms

Pro Tips for Dining Out

1. Use MM Food’s Scanner: Scan menus to translate ingredients instantly. Filter for “vegan-safe” options via the dietary settings.
2. Ask Clearly: In Russian: "Без мяса, без молока, без рыбы, веган" (Bez myasa, bez moloka, bez ryby, vegan). The app’s phrasebook helps!
3. Watch for Hidden Traps: Some “vegetarian” dishes use butter or eggs.
4. Prioritize Plant-Centric Restaurants: Cities like Kyiv and Moscow offer dedicated vegan spots—discover them via MM Food.

Your Safety Net: The MM Food Advantage

Avoid guesswork with MM Food’s AI-powered dietary analysis. Enter custom restrictions (like “no honey” or “no eggs”), scan a menu, and instantly see safe recommendations. Whether you’re trying Kyiv’s varenyky or Moscow’s borscht, dine with confidence.

Embrace Eastern Europe’s flavors—vegan style. With MM Food, every meal becomes a cultural adventure!