We Ranked Russian Foods That Taste Like Struggle (and the Ones That Slap)

February 8, 2026
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Moving from the land of different types of jollof rice, suya, and mouthwatering soups to a place where “seasoning” often just means a lonely sprinkle of paprika or some “grass” (dill) is a major cultural reset for most Africans in Russia.

To be fair, Russian food is not necessarily bad, but with time, you just learn to choose the meals that actually fit your vibe and your taste buds can manage.

When you first arrive in Russia, one of the first things you’re warned about is the cuisine. But lately, I’ve been thinking some Russian meals are actually underrated. When I think deep about the legendary Borscht or even Blinchiki, I am convinced there’s gold to be discovered. However, I think we can all agree some of them taste like pure struggle.

Here is our official review of the local Russian menu, especially for an African palate.

Grechka (Buckwheat)

At first, it looks like weird brown rice. But Grechka is actually a superfood with a nutty, toasted flavor. It’s incredibly filling, and when you mix it with some tomato sauce or stew, it’s actually quite nice. Plus, it never gets mushy like cheap rice does. You don’t have to agree with me, but I think I know my stuff.

Score: 5/10

Borscht

Forget what you heard about it being “beetroot water.” I promised myself I was going to try Borscht this winter, and I did. Was it worth it? A hundred times, yes! A properly made Borscht is a masterpiece of balance. I can’t quite explain it, but there’s something about the sweetness of the beetroot and carrots mixed with the meat and warm broth that just works in an unusual way.

Score: 8/10

Shashlik

Shashlik is where Russian and African cuisine finally shake hands. It’s basically large-scale suya without Yaji spice. I think we can all agree that meat grilled over charcoal is a universal language that needs no translation.

Score: 10/10 (Straight up!)

Blinchiki

We cannot talk about the best Russian foods and leave out Blinchiki. And these aren’t just “pancakes”. They are like the thin crepes version of puff-puff. They are buttery and infinitely customizable. You can go the savory route with minced meat and sauce, or the dessert route with condensed milk, honey, or chocolate spread. They are light enough to eat five in one sitting and delicious enough to make you forget your name for a second.

Score: 9/10 (Maybe I’m biased lol)

Plov

Plov definitely has a place in my heart, and I am talking about a very good Plov! Cause some are straight up below par. It’s like a glorified “concoction rice.” Once you stop comparing it to the spice levels of home, you realize it has a soul of its own. It is oily, savory, and actually satisfying.

Score: 9/10

The Salads (Olivier & Caesar)

I have to give a shoutout to Olivier (the classic Russian potato salad) and the Russian version of Caesar salad. I’ll sing their full praises another time, but they are the reliable MVPs of the cafeteria. If you don’t know what to order, you can start from there. You (probably!) won’t regret it.

Score: 7/10

Okroshka

Now, let’s talk about the trauma. Imagine taking perfectly good potato salad and then drowning it in sour bread water (Kvas) or kefir. It’s cold and fizzy, and it feels like your lunch is having an identity crisis. Eating this feels like a dare you didn’t agree to. And the fact that it has raw onions floating in it and most Russians swear it’s good baffles me. People, please are you not tasting that this is weird?!

Score: A solid (minus100)/10

The truth is, as an African in Russia, you can probably survive without eating Russian food. If you live in Moscow, you most likely have constant access to African foodstuff and you can just cook your own meals. But for those of us in other cities, you actually learn to improvise.

Most times, you just have to find ways to make magic out of the ingredients you get from usual Russian stores. My cheat code to surviving is simple: always have stew, meat, and sometimes some boiled beans ready, and you will be fine. May God help us and our tastebuds in this land.

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