Local food map Tallinn (Estonia)
Tallinn guides
Recipes 10
Pick a recipe
All Tallinn recipes
Mulgikapsad — traditional dish from Tallinn, Estonia
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥580kcal
💪38gProtein
🌾22gCarbs
🥑38gFat
🌿2gFibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Mulgikapsad

How to order / say it
Say it Mulgikapsad — [Mool-gi-kap-sad]
Order I'd like to try the Mulgikapsad.
Locally Soovin proovida mulgikapsaid.
Say locally

A hearty dish of sauerkraut, pork, and barley.

Why try it?

This warming dish is a favorite in Tallinn and showcases the balance of flavors in Estonian cuisine, reflecting resilience and inventive use of local ingredients in harsh climates.

How it tastes

Mulgikapsad combines the tanginess of sauerkraut, the richness of slow-cooked pork, and the earthiness of barley, offering a comforting, hearty meal.

Origin & History — first documented: 1750

Originating in the Mulgi region in the 18th century, it became popular due to the preserved nature of sauerkraut and the locally available pork and barley.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 500 g sauerkraut
  • 🥩 500 g pork shoulder
  • 🌾 200 g barley
  • 🧄 1 large, chopped onion
  • 🧂 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • 500 ml water

Method

  1. 1 Brown the pork in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. 2 Add sauerkraut, barley, and onion to the pot.
  3. 3 Stir in water and caraway seeds.
  4. 4 Cover and simmer on low for 1.5 hours until pork is tender.
  5. 5 Serve hot with crusty bread.
All Europe recipes — Estonia — Tallinn — Mulgikapsad
keyboard_arrow_up