Here is Russian rating for traditional Russian starters that are good with vodka too.

So meet top 15 Russian appetizers.

Famous Russian pickled cucumbers. It’s a must on all the Russian tables, goes fine with any dish. Every Russian know them from the birth.

In Russia bacon is called “SALO” and people it it raw, the less meat and the more fat in it the better it is. They put it in the fridge, right in the freezer, it is not cutted but in one big piece, then take it off, slice it thin and eat with Russian bread and garlic.

Fermented or sour cabbage is number three. It’s almost as popular as pickled cucumbers, and every old school Russian party has it. Kids are being told stories that eating this cabbage would let them grow tall and strong. Many Russians especially like drinking it’s juice on hangover, together with the pickled cucumbers brine.

Russian meat jelly or aspic. One of the most favourite cold meat dishes from Russia. It takes a lot of meat first boiled and then left in cold place to the jelly appear, then is served with some toppings or just in this way. Almost any Russian would tell you he ate it alot in childhood when family gathered to celebrate some New Year party or something other.

Potatoes. Almost every Russian family eats potatoes daily, and on parties the potatoes is a must too.

Salami with Russian bread and butter. Also can go with cheese or ham, as on picture. People eat this for breakfast often.

Pickled mushrooms. They are another Russian homemade gourmet item. It usually has long history – first they are being hand picked by family members in the woods in fall, then precisely prepared to being pickled and then those delicious jars are opened only for the great parties or holidays.

Marinated herring and black bread, often goes with onions. Some Russians call it “one of the most tasty foods ever”. There are also songs in Russia where this appetizer is being mentioned, like “Russian vodka, black bread, selyodka!”, selyodka – is this marinated herring.

Caviar. Yes when we say caviar, we often keep in mind Russia. It’s true Russian people are mad about caviar and eat it very often on the big ocassions too, usually on bread, eating caviar with just a spoon always meant to be the sign of luxury in Russia. Also because of its usually high price and non-availability in Soviet times it’s not in the first five.

Pickled tomatoes. Them together with their pickled brother veggies, cucumbers, fermented cabbage and pickled mushrooms are being usually hand processed at home by Russian wifes to be ready for the New Year or some birthday parties.

In summer time Russian people thing going to barbeque is a must, they call it “SHASHLIK” after the Southern term meaning fried meat.

Home made fish soup, called “UKHA” is another thing that Russians consider to be traditionally Russian. Usually the recipe is very easy – any fish, could be freshly caught from local river, then a few potatoes and some carrots and onion, salt and here you have another appetizer for drinking outside. Also black pepper is often being added.

“Borsh”, the red beet and meats soup is far more complicated to prepare. It’s always topped with “SMETANA” – the sour cream.

Some Russians thing that beer is a perfect starter too. It can compensate when it’s not enough vodka to become drunk more faster. As we already mentioned there is a Russian saying: “Vodka without beer is just a waste of money”.

And the last but definately not least is “OLIVJE” salad. This one is a true must at any party, especially the most beloved Russian New Year party. Go ask any Russian about this strange, once was French word and he would for sure tell you he know this stuff. This salad is made of boiled potatoes, a lot of mayo and wurst, also green peas participate. Russians joke that olivje salad is often used as a table pillow, for those who got too much vodka and can’t hold their head – they simply drop it down to olivje plate. It was called so strange after a French cook who lived in St.Petersburg and was preparing this dish initially.

So now, on your next trip to Russia, if it would ever happen, or just on a visit to Russian rest you can have an idea on what to order first.

via yaplakal.ru