Ciorbă de burtă is a sour tripe soup of beef or calf tripe with celery, carrot and onion, finished with sour cream, egg and garlic and served with hot chili.
Where to eat it: 5 restaurants across 1 city.
Ciorbă is the Romanian word for a sour soup, and Wikipedia says the word comes from Ottoman Turkish. Hanu' Berarilor's menu says its tripe soup follows an old recipe from the Obor barrier, the market district of north-east Bucharest. Hanu' lui Manuc cooks calf tripe with celery, carrot, onion, sour cream and egg and serves its soups with hot chilies, and La Mama's version adds garlic and vinegar. Caru' cu bere, Vatra and Mahala list it too.
Common allergens: Tripe, Garlic, Egg yolk
Tip from the editors. The vinegar versus borș call is regional: south-Romanian tradition uses borș, Bucharest restaurants almost always use vinegar. Either way, add the souring liquid to taste at the end, not earlier.
Caru' cu bere is a traditional Romanian restaurant at Strada Stavropoleos 5 in the Old Town, serving beer made to an original recipe from 1879.
OrderMititei, the grilled minced meat rolls.
TipReservations can be made online or by phone, at least 24 hours ahead.
Hanu' lui Manuc is a Traditional Romanian restaurant at Strada Franceză 62-64, a legendary setting in the historic centre of Bucharest with party rooms.
SignatureMici, Sarmale, Lamb tochitură
TipBook ahead: the restaurant's own site says a reservation is necessary here.
Vatra is a Romanian restaurant at Strada Ion Brezoianu 19, neighbouring Cismigiu Park, where Romanian cuisine meets Transylvanian interior decorations.
OrderSarmale with mămăliguță, and the Romanian cheese plate of sheep and cow telemea with burduf.
TipExpect traditional music with the meal; Vatra is near Cismigiu Park and takes table bookings on its own site.
Mahala is a Modern Romanian restaurant at Calea Rahovei 147-153, the very own restaurant of chef Petru Sorin Cucu, with a contemporary design.
SignatureCiorbă de burtă cu trufe, Turbot, Quail dumplings
TipReserve by phone on 0729 003 002; the restaurant is a stone's throw away from downtown Bucharest.
Hanu' Berarilor Casa Oprea Soare is a Romanian restaurant at Strada Poenaru Bordea 2, one of three Hanu' Berarilor gastronomic breweries in Bucharest.
SignatureMici, Sarmale, Roast pork knuckle
TipThe group pairs its meat products with its strongest and most aromatic beers.
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