10 Weird Polish Foods You Didn’t Know Existed

I tried many of these weird Polish foods, however, some of them really stood out to me. For starters, these strange soups with things like blood, rye, or beef tripe.

And don’t get me started on blood sausage and meat jelly—just try them!

If you consider yourself an adventurous eater, get ready to discover some unusual delicacies beyond pierogies and kielbasa!

10 Weird Polish Food Options

Czernina

Czernina, also known as duck blood soup, is a unique Polish food to try. The duck blood and transparent poultry broth give it a dark, rich color.

To balance everything, sugar is added for sweetness and vinegar so the blood doesn’t clot.

Up to the 19th century, this “black soup” was given to suitors as a rejection of a marriage proposal.

Flaki, flaczki

Flaki is cooked beef or pork tripe (edible stomach lining) with vegetables and spices. It’s one of the Polish soups or stews that have a special place in the cuisine.

The ingredients include beef tripe, meat, bay leaf, allspice, parsley, carrot, beef broth, and spices to taste.

Tripe soup has been around since the 14th century.

Zrazy Zawijane

Zrazy zawijane are beef or pork rolls filled with a variety of ingredients. Most fillings include mushrooms, onions, pickles, and bacon.

The rolls are typically braised or roasted and served as a main course with mashed potatoes.

It might not be the weirdest food Poland has to offer but I’ve never seen meat rolls with pickles so I have to give it credit.

Kiszka (Blood Sausage)

Kiszka, also called kaszanka or krupniok, is prepared with pig’s blood, buckwheat or barley, and spices. The components are packed inside sausage casings (pig intestines) and fried or grilled.

The buckwheat or barley gives it some earthiness and texture, while the pig’s blood serves as a unique flavoring, although a bit of an acquired taste.

Kiszka is often served with sauerkraut or mashed potatoes.

We have a similar weird dish in Ukraine, so go ahead and check it out on my list of the strangest Ukrainian foods.

Żurek

Żurek, a fermented rye flour soup, is valued in Polish cuisine, particularly during Easter. The rye flour lends the soup its sour taste.

Żurek often includes sausage, hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, and bacon. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill decorate the steaming soup.

This sour soup is often served in an edible bread bowl, adding to its unique presentation.

The variant made with fermented wheat flour instead of rye is called barszcz biały, or white borscht.

Smalec

Smalec is a traditional Polish pork fat spread. It’s usually seasoned with onions, garlic, marjoram, salt, and pepper.

The ingredients are cooked until the fat is rendered and the onions caramelize, creating a delicious spread.

You may know a similar product that goes by “lard” in English.

Smalec can be used instead of oil for cooking. If you’re a vegan or vegetarian ordering Polish food, make sure to ask if there’s smalec in the dish.

If you want to discover traditional dishes without meat, you can find many ideas in my article on Polish vegetarian cuisine.

Check out these tasty vegan Polish dishes as well!

Nóżki w Galarecie

Pigs’ trotters are cooked till soft and served in a meat broth jelly or aspic. Nóżki w galarecie is commonly served cold as an appetizer or at a buffet.

This dish is often enjoyed with pickles, bread, and mustard.

If you like a cold meat snack, nóżki w galarecie might just be the perfect weird Polish food to try.

Zsiadłe Mleko

Zsiadłe mleko, or sour milk, is a Polish buttermilk-like fermented milk drink. Naturally fermented raw milk gives it a tangy taste and creamy texture.

You can serve soured milk on its own or with dishes; it’s really good with potatoes.

This dairy product is quite popular in Ukraine and my grandparents used to make it at home all the time. I can’t say I’m a fan but it’s definitely worth trying.

Zupa Owocowa (Fruit Soup)

Apples, strawberries, rhubarb or other fruits are cooked in water with sugar and cinnamon or cloves to make traditional Polish fruit soup—zupa owocowa.

Chilled soup makes a pleasant summer dessert or snack but it can also be served warm.

It often has pasta in it and some type of thickener like flour.

Ciepłe Lody (Warm Ice Cream)

“Warm Ice Cream,” or Ciepłe Lody, is a unique delicacy that resembles actual ice cream. I remember eating this sweet all the time as a kid.

This Polish dessert is egg white mousse with syrup, chocolate, or other toppings.

It’s served in waffle cups like Italian ice cream, thus the name.

For more dessert ideas, check out my top 9 Polish cakes and learn more about the best Polish cookies here!

If you have anything to add to this list, please share your most bizarre experience with Polish cuisine!