Czech gastronomy : what to order at the hospoda (brewery)

A few characteristics of the Czech food :

• A bit stodgy
• As in many cold countries, the food fills well the stomach ;
• In the typical breweries, you will usually find meat covered with breadcrumbs.
• A lot of meat cooked with sauce
• Similar to the Middle Europe food with sausages and sauerkraut
• Sweet dishes may be considered not as a dessert but as a main dish :
• This is a survival from the post war period when it was difficult to find meat
• Salads to be avoided
• Czech are not used to olive oil, they will give you sugared water as salad dressing
• Do not expect to have cheese. Cheese is not a Czech specialty. Czech are the kings of soup and beer!
• Not much for the vegetarians
• If you do not eat meat, you will often be proposed smažený sýr – hot cheese covered with breadcrumbs (have a try !)

There is a big difference between the typical « hospoda » and the tourist restaurants, the latter having understood than typical Czech food is a bit too stodgy for tourists. Nevertheless, we recommend to try a few Czech specialties.

A few typical czech dishes to order at the restaurant

Starters

• Šunková rolka s křenem – jam with cheese
• Domácí tlačenka – for meat lovers, gelatinized entrails
• Pražská šunka – Prague jam, local specialty
• Utopenec – « the drowned », sausage bottled with vinegar
• Bramborová polévka – potato soup
• Dršťková polévka – tripe soup, only for the most courageous

Main dishes

• Vepřo knedlo zelo – roasted pork served with sauerkraut and knedlíky (flour balls)
• Svíčková na smetaně – roasted beef with a creamy sauce and knedlíky
• Guláš – Hungarian dish often found in Czech restaurants
• Smažený sýr / hermelín – hot cheese covered with breadcrumbs
• Bramboráky – fried potato pancakes flavoured with marjoram

Side dishes

• Houskový knedlík – balls made of flour, eggs, baking powder and bread
• Bramborový knedlík – potato knedlíky
• Špekový knedlík – bacon knedlíky

Desserts

• Ovocné knedlíky – knedlíky with fruits and white cheese
• Štrůdl or závin – kind of apple turnover
• Vdolky - doughnuts
• Poppy (mák)-based desserts – do not be afraid, that is not drug !

Drinks

• Pivo – the Czech national drink, Czech are among the largest consumers of beer. Every city and hardly every restaurant, has its own brewery and beer brand. The most famous brands are: Pilsner, Starobrno, Staropramen, Budweiser...
• Kofola – typical Czech drink, competitor to Coca-cola ; the students favorite drink beacsue of its low price.