Vegetarians can forget about eating what they like
in Romania or Moldova. The people there,
especially in the restaurants, are very surprised
when somebody says he doesn't eat meat.
Sometimes it seems like the only choice for
vegetarians is between potatoes and bread.
Generally, there is no big difference between
Romanian and Moldovan cuisine. Moldovan cuisine
has some Russian characteristics, like tea always
served with sugar, while Romanian cuisine is quite
fatty, but still very good.
The most typical dish, found in almost every
restaurant, is soup. It is served in beautiful small
pots and always with bread. That soup is filling,
because it has everything: potatoes, vegetables and
meat.
Then for the second course comes...of course,
meat. It is served with potatoes or "mamaliga,"
which is corn mush with salad, swimming in
vinegar.
Such a meal requires something to wash it down.
A variety of drinks are available: water, excellent
Romanian or Moldovan wine, and for the brave,
strong Romanian brandy ("palinka").
In Moldova we had a good opportunity to
experience the countryside cuisine. That food was
amazing: chicken heads in jelly, salad made of
beans and sausage, and noodles with poppy seeds
and cheese. We were shocked by the way in which
vodka was served: in huge glass jugs. And of course
there was Moldovan wine (see Fabian's essay).
At other times, we ate roasted sunflower seeds
or dumplings filled with cabbage or cheese, and we
drank Coca-Cola.
