Tarator
Photo: Ikonact · CC BY-SA 3.0

History

Tarator's roots are Persian via Ottoman Turkey, where the dish was originally a yoghurt sauce. Bulgaria's contribution was thinning it into a soup and folding in cucumber and walnut. Today it is one of the most recognisable Bulgarian dishes, served chilled to start summer meals from June through September across Plovdiv's tavernas and family tables.

Common allergens: Dairy, Tree nuts

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 15 minTotal 45 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 500g Bulgarian yoghurt (full fat)
  • 1 large cucumber, finely diced or grated
  • 50g walnuts, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 200ml cold water
  • Ice cubes, salt

Method

  1. Whisk yoghurt with cold water in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Stir in cucumber, garlic and dill. Season with salt.
  3. Add the sunflower oil; whisk gently to combine.
  4. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes for the flavours to settle.
  5. Ladle into bowls; top with chopped walnuts and an extra dill sprig.
  6. Add an ice cube to each bowl before serving.

Tip from the editors. Salt the cucumber and let it drain 10 minutes before adding to keep the soup thick rather than watery.

Where to eat tarator

Tarator in Plovdiv

Pavaj ★ 4.6

$$ 25-45 BGNBrunchModern Bulgarian late brunchKapana

Pavaj opens at noon as Kapana's late-brunch stop. Farm-driven Bulgarian small plates with house bread; weekend afternoons settle into long tables and Mavrud.

OrderFarm vegetable plate with Mavrud glass

Directions

Aylyakria ★ 4.4

$$ 20-35 BGNBrunchModern Bulgarian and gluten-free brunchKapana

Aylyakria runs an early-Kapana brunch in a Revival-era room. Banitsa, shopska, mish-mash and gluten-free options listed, alongside Bulgarian wines.

OrderBanitsa with sirene, shopska salad, glass of Bulgarian wine

Directions

Hemingway ★ 4.0

$$ 30-55 BGNBrunchRefined garden brunchCentre

Hemingway's Gurko Street garden runs a slow Bulgarian brunch through summer. Refined room, seasonal salads and grilled plates, glass of Bulgarian wine.

OrderBulgarian breakfast plate, glass of Mavrud

Directions

Restaurant Alafrangite ★ 4.3

$$ Traditional BulgarianOld Town

Restaurant Alafrangite occupies an 18th-century Revival house with a courtyard garden in Old Plovdiv. Bulgarian salads and meat dishes anchor the long menu.

SignatureSarmi, Bulgarian salads

Directions

All Plovdiv signature dishes →

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