Local food map Bucharest (Romania)
Bucharest guides
Recipes 11
Pick a recipe
All Bucharest recipes
Papanasi — traditional dish from Bucharest, Romania
Dessert Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥550kcal
💪12gProtein
🌾65gCarbs
🥑25gFat
🌿2gFibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Papanasi

How to order / say it
Say it Papanași — [pah-pah-NAH-shee]
Order One plate of Papanasi, please.
Locally Un platou de Papanași, vă rog.
Say locally

Fried doughnuts with sour cream and jam.

Why try it?

Papanași is a beloved Romanian dessert symbolizing comfort and celebration, often enjoyed during special occasions. It is a must-try for visitors in Bucharest, offering a taste of the city's rich culinary tradition.

How it tastes

Papanași is a delightful treat featuring a soft and fluffy fried dough with a creamy cheese filling, usually topped with sour cream and a generous helping of fruit jam. The perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, paired with its warm and inviting aroma, makes it an irresistible dessert.

Origin & History

Papanași has origins rooted in Romanian and Moldovan cuisine, with its popularity believed to have risen in the early 20th century. Over the decades, it has become a staple dessert across Romania, particularly in Bucharest, where it is commonly served in local eateries and homes alike. The dish draws from traditional cheese-making practices, highlighting the region's dairy heritage.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥛 250 g fresh cheese
  • 🥚 2 eggs
  • 🌾 200 g flour
  • 🍯 50 g sugar
  • 🧂 1 tsp baking powder
  • 🫒 for frying oil
  • 🥛 100 g sour cream
  • 🍯 100 g fruit jam

Method

  1. 1 Mix fresh cheese, eggs, sugar, and flour to create the dough.
  2. 2 Shape the dough into small balls and fry them until golden brown.
  3. 3 Drain the fried dough to remove excess oil.
  4. 4 Top with sour cream and fruit jam before serving.
All Europe recipes — Romania — Bucharest — Papanasi
keyboard_arrow_up