Una lettera d’amore alla Polonia da parte di un indiano

You can text me for my recommendations:)

Depending on what you’d like to see and what time of the year you’re visiting, there are plenty of options – cities, small towns, gems of nature, events…
Definitely I would recommend Poznań, Wrocław, Lublin, Kraków (from here you’re close to Oświęcim and Auschwitz Nazi death camp but as well to Wieliczka with one of the oldest salt mines in the world – just check it out, it’s beautiful), Tykocin, Sandomierz, Zalipie…
Poland is very diverse, there are plenty of beautiful forests, mountains and peaceful lake districts (most people aren’t interested in it, though).
Poland has many interesting castles all around as well if you’re interested (as for example Wawel, Castle Książ, Moszna, Krzyżtopór Czocha or Nidzica).
In summer there are at least a few big musical festivals going on annually. There is also an interesting Viking and Slavic people festival in Wolin in case you’re interested in history.

I have no idea what food you have tried but yes, Polish cuisine isn’t as seasoned as Indian. Definitely it’s not spicy, it doesn’t contain plenty of turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli but there are definitely specific flavours in Polish food. This part of the world just tastes different due to what was always available. Chilli doesn’t grow there, star anise or cinnamon too. Of course there was a trade between Poland and Asia in medieval and stuff but I’m certain that some seasonings where worth than gold, lol. Because of the availability of different herbs, vegetables, and food in general but also because of the climate difference, Poland can offer many rather mild and greasy foods but they’re not tasteless at all.
Fermented food: sauerkraut is widely used to make bigos Hunter’s stew, pierogi stuffed with sauerkraut and forest mushroom. There are fermented gherkins – in many restaurants served as a starter together with fresh sourdough bread and lard. Usually in summer you can also try a refreshing cold beetroot soup which is made of cooked beetroot, curdled milk (naturally soured milk) or kefir, yoghurt, buttermilk and raw vegetables as chives, radish, cucumber, dills and served with hard-boiled eggs.
Another dish that contains fermented food is sour rye soup. It’s made of fermented flour starter with garlic and some seasoning. The soup is cooked with some smoked meat and it’s also served with hard-boiled eggs.

In the mountains you can try oscypek cheese which also is characteristic in flavour. It’s often served grilled and with cranberry sauce.

I think depending on region you visit, there are more interesting foods to try. I also know that many of specific foods you may not experience untill someone cooks them for you as restaurants rather don’t serve them.

All the best.

Hi! Bydgoszcz is also nice! I recommend checking out Myślęcinek Park, Stary Rynek & Wyspa Młyńska 🤗

If you need some spice next time, ask for horseradish sauce, it’s not much, but it’s “hottest” spice Polish cuisine has to offer. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

Glad you like it here!

The food can indeed be “bland” here, at least when compared with Indian cuisine. Even as someone who was born here and lived here for ~20 decades (with some occasional breaks), I notice that.

We count on your return, bhai!

Happy you enjoyed your visit 😀

Great to hear about your enjoyable visit. All decent hard-working people are welcome in Poland. Besides the beauty, safety is one of the hallmarks of Poland…until of course, EU and Polish politics will destroy that as they did in the “Western” EU nations.

I’m Indian (born in the US tho!) And my dream is to visit poland someday 🙂

well to be honest spice wise nothing can beat Indian cuisine. because half of your any dish are spices 😉
but than again each country is different.

and we are glad that you liked it