Moose sausages and mushroom dumplings: the gastronomic North at the National Centre RUSSIA

The expressive taste of slow-cooked meat, the vibrant aroma of mushrooms, and the tenderness of baked salmon — the "North" corner invites you to appreciate its updated menu. The Gastronomic Rows of the National Centre RUSSIA continue to introduce guests to the culinary traditions of various regions. At first, the cuisine of the Russian North may give an impression of being strict and restrained, but then it will undoubtedly surprise with its generosity, richness, and depth of flavour. The classic northern menu is based on nature's bounty, simple combinations, and a respectful attitude towards each ingredient. Here, the emphasis is not on visual effect, but on the sensation of genuine, 'living' food, which is a rarity in modern eating culture.

Since time immemorial, the northern diet has been based on game and fish: moose, reindeer, capercaillie, hazel grouse, lake and sea fish. They were baked, simmered in clay pots, cooked in thick soups and hearty broths. The idea of a concentrated, deep flavour is also developed by the famous solyanka soup (or "selyanka"), often prepared here with wild mushrooms, pickles, and various types of meat or fish, achieving the traditional sour-salty taste and rich aroma.

This is precisely the dish with which to begin your acquaintance with the updated menu. Hunter's-style Solyanka soup with smoked meats and moose meat is a thick, hearty soup, the embodiment of northern taste. It presents a dense broth, moose meat simmered to tenderness, and smoked meats creating a deep, smoky accent. Pickled cucumbers, capers, and olives add a familiar invigorating tang, while a spoonful of sour cream softens the bright notes and brings all the ingredients together into a single symphony of flavours. This is not just a dish; it is the embodiment of ancient traditions, respect for both nature, and the hunting craft.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Northern cuisine is unthinkable without comfort food — something simple, tasty, and filling. That, of course, refers to dumplings with potatoes and mushrooms. Just imagine the thinnest dough, delicate mashed potatoes, and pan-fried wild mushrooms paired with thick sour cream. This honest and straightforward dish offers guests that very taste of carefully prepared, homemade food, a feeling of cosiness and warmth.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Grilled moose sausages with mustard sauce and potatoes showcase the characteristic, rich flavour of northern game, which has a juicy, dense texture and carefully selected spices. It is served with young potatoes, baked to softness in their jackets. A vibrant mustard sauce adds sharpness and freshness, highlighting the natural 'forest' note of the moose meat. A dish simple in composition but expressive in impression — much like the northern landscape itself.

The menu of the "North" corner in the Gastronomic Rows of the National Centre RUSSIA demonstrates that the cuisine of the Russian North is not only about hearty, warming dishes, but also about subtle work with flavour. Here, simple products are transformed into thoughtful combinations that preserve the main idea: respect for nature and an authentic Nordic character.