Best Romanian Cookbooks

Venture into the heart of Eastern European cuisine with our collection of the best Romanian cookbooks. As you turn the pages, you’ll explore a culinary landscape steeped in time-honored traditions. You’ll encounter the harmonious balance between the rustic charm and urbane sophistication that is a key signature of Romanian dishes. Experience the humble simplicity yet compelling flavors of mămăligă, a cornmeal dish that can rival the best of polentas. Or the unassuming pârjoale, a meatball that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Romanian homestyle cooking with its hearty, meaty goodness. These are but glimpses into the soul of Romanian cuisine, a realm where every ingredient, every method, and every dish tells a story of its people, their history, and their passion for good food. 

• Key Takeaways
• Top 10 Best Romanian Cookbooks
• Top 5 Print-Only Cookbooks
• Frequently Asked Questions – Best Romanian Cookbooks

Top 10 Best Romanian Cookbooks

Feast your senses on the symphony of flavors that Romanian cuisine has to offer through our selection of the top 10 best Romanian cookbooks. These comprehensive guides will lead you to hearty stews like sarmale, fragrant mamaliga, unique zakuska spreads, and other rich, comforting meals, all rooted in the country’s love for fresh produce, varied meats, and intricate blend of herbs and spices.

Taste of Romania, Expanded Edition by Nicolae Klepper

The Taste of Romania, Expanded Edition is a cookbook that showcases cuisine from a variety of regions across Romania. Traditional recipes spanning appetizers, salads, egg dishes, soups and ciorbă, polenta, fish, meat dishes, poultry, vegetable dishes, dumplings, fritters and pancakes, sauces, cakes, desserts, and coffees, and preserves and fondants are featured. Each recipe is imbued with authenticity, underscoring the author’s commitment to preserving traditional Romanian fare, and there’s ample historical context granted. 

There’s also an English-Romanian-French dictionary, conversion tables, discussions on the heritage of Romania, and a look at Romanian folk tales relating to food, like the story of the five loaves. Wines, traditional menus, Romanian poetry, and a glimpse of Romanian-Jewish cooking are put into context. The indexing could be better. Finding exactly what you’re in the mood for is made easy thanks to sorting by names and places, recipes by chapter, and the alphabetical index of recipes. No matter your interest in Romanian cuisine or skill level, The Taste of Romania, Expanded Edition comes highly recommended. 

About The Author: Nicolae Klepper, a Romanian-born American author, relocated to New York City at 12 and, later, as a corporate executive, resided in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. His passion for cuisine and his desire to showcase Romania’s cultural richness resulted in a published selection of no less than five books, of which four are dedicated to Romania. 

From Dill To Dracula: A Romanian Food & Folklore Cookbook by A.M. Ruggirello

Dill is a treasured herb in Romanian cuisine, and there’s perhaps no better book to show off this and the nation’s many other prominent flavor profiles than From Dill To Dracula: A Romanian Food & Folklore Cookbook. Between bread & soup, garden recipes, meat, sweets, and a chapter called ‘bottle’ referring to liquid-based creations like beverages and stock, readers are sure to find a traditional dish that they love. Each recipe has at least one picture, and the spread is pretty even across all meals other than the handful of advanced baked recipes (which experienced bakers simply have to check out.)

Most of the recipes featured are akin to high-quality restaurant food rather than home-cooked meals, with some great takeout-style meals that come out tasting great. All are super simple for beginners, except for those baking recipes mentioned. If beauty of publishing means anything to you, you’ll immediately want to lay your eyes on From Dill To Dracula. It’s a beautiful cookbook in every way, which also makes it a pleasure to navigate. Every page pops with color, while nice touches like Transylvanian poetry add just the right influence to entice while never overdoing the theme. 

About The Author: A.M. (or simply Ash), a multi-talented author, graphic artist, and lifestyle coach, enjoys a creative life influenced by her Romanian heritage. Living in Wisconsin with her husband and pets, she is represented by Mandy Hubbard of the Emerald City Literary Agency.

The Art of Romanian Cooking by Galia Sperber

The Art of Romanian Cooking by Galia Sperber is one of the very best Romanian cookbooks for newcomers to the epicurean delights of Romania. It is a book that’s filled with familiar favorites to anyone who grew up in a Romanian family, just with all the difficulty cut away thanks to the streamlined instructions and accessible ingredients. With this in mind, prospective readers should know that if you are Romanian, you probably already know how to make all the recipes in this book. 

The recipes in The Art of Romanian Cooking excel at remaining straightforward in their composition. Most of the ingredients are readily available in all grocery stores, but there’s no lack of flavor. Expect family-style meals with zero learning curve, which is exactly what those new to traditional Romanian fare want and need. Unfortunately, there are no pictures, but the simplicity of the guidelines makes up for this minor caveat. 

About The Author: Hailing from a family rooted in Romania, Dr. Galia Sperber spent her formative years in the United States and Belgium. As a medical professional and author, she devotes her expertise to research focused on warding off cardiovascular ailments and writing. Currently, she resides in the United Kingdom.

Taste of Transylvania: 50 Traditional Recipes From Romania by Radu Groza

Taste of Transylvania: 50 Traditional Recipes From Romania delivers a selection of the nation’s most iconic meals. As the name suggests, the focus is on Transylvanian dishes, but, as a result, Romanian classic cuisine is featured too. Prospective readers should keep in mind that this cookbook contains savory recipes only. There’s also no chaptering to speak of, just a list of recipes. There are no desserts, sweets, or beverages. The detail delivered in the regional coverage, regional cooking nuances, and each dish itself is what sets this book apart as an amazing read. As one delves into each recipe, excellent cultural context is granted, and the instructions leave nothing lacking. Both the English and Romanian name for each recipe is listed, followed by a brief but personal introduction that explains exactly what to expect from the meal. 

Advice concerning the best ingredients, optimal preparation steps, and insight concerning each stage of cooking is supplied before each recipe cites its instructions. Whereas some recipe books omit fine details like exact quantities (resorting to statements like “pinch of”), this cookbook is exact and lists finite volumes down to the number of peppercorns. Sourcing ingredients is a snap, thanks to the recommendations, and even though every last creation is true to its roots, most recipe components can be picked up at a regular grocery store. Specific elevating ingredients (like “Vegeta” salt) will call for a specialty store, but they’re almost always listed as optional (many of the places that stock Bulgarian food online from our review also have Romanian ingredients, so be sure to check our stockists if you’re looking for a little guidance). Overall, Taste of Transylvania is one of the best dedicated recipe books for the region and almost a must-have for anyone fond of Romanian food. 

About The Author: Radu Groza pours a lifetime of love into his dedicated coverage of food from his homeland, Transylvania. The Romania-born author has instilled an immense amount of detail into his work, effectively elevating himself to become an authority on the region and its cuisine. 

Tava: Eastern European Baking and Desserts From Romania & Beyond by Irina Georgescu

The baking and dessert traditions of Eastern Europe hold a distinguished position globally, and Romania stands out for its exceptionally rich heritage. Celebrated for their decadent and diverse culinary customs, Romanian pastries and sweets serve as a testament to the region’s abundant culinary culture. Tava: Eastern European Baking and Desserts From Romania & Beyond is one of the best guides available to home cooks and bakers who want to hone their skills and learn how to bake an array of culinary delights. Readers can expect an immersive journey through Romania’s rich dessert and bakery traditions. You’ll explore the classic Cozonac, a sweet bread laden with walnut or poppy seed paste typically served during holidays and the delightfully light papanasi, doughnuts that marry cheese, sour cream, and fruit jam. 

Discover the alluring amandine, with its rum-spiked chocolate sponge cake and luscious cream filling, and the multifaceted placinta, a versatile pastry that can be sweet or savory, depending on the filling. Be introduced to Cornulete, charming, horn-shaped pastries brimming with jams or nuts. The journey continues to the dense and satisfying prajitura cu mere, an apple cake that’s comfort food at its best, and the seasonal delight of pasca, a traditional Easter cheesecake. Not forgetting the fragrant and fruity salam de biscuiti, a no-bake chocolate and biscuit salami, a favorite amongst children and adults alike, and these are but a few of the amazing recipes featured. Tava’s confectionery treasures showcase Romania’s sweet culinary heritage, making this book a must for many. 

About The Author: Irina Georgescu, a food writer and recipe developer from Romania, passionately cherishes her homeland’s culinary heritage. She has a multifaceted background as a food editor and writer for prominent publications such as Saveur, Food & Wine, and Bon Appétit. This broad experience equips her with an expert perspective on Eastern European cuisine that she brings to her work.

Vegan Romania: 101 traditional Romanian Vegan Recipes by Mihaela Lica Butler

Vegan Romania: 101 Traditional Romanian Vegan Recipes is a fantastic cookbook that never once breaks authenticity despite its selection of plant-based reinvented classics. The author curated a collection of recipes that aren’t commonly available in English. Recipes are chaptered into appetizers and salads, soups and ciorbă, Romanian mamaliga (polenta), and vegan main dishes. There are a few images scattered throughout the book, but very few meals have a shot of the dish showcased. Fortunately, the recipe clarity couldn’t be better, which means that even without a hint of familiarity, cooks will be able to pull off and plate their creations to perfection. 

At its ultra-low price, Vegan Romania is a cookbook that is well worthy of consideration by anyone who wants to eat more plants, not just vegans. From the ultra-detailed instructions to the flavor and texture combinations featured, it’s a cookbook that you’ll keep coming back to with a massive selection of recipes to try. Many of the meat-free meals are so good that cooks will want to use them as inspiration or even cookie-cutter recipes for other cuisine originating outside of Romania. 

About The Author: Mihaela Lica Butler, with a background in military journalism and food writing, now helms Pamil Visions PR and contributes as an editor at Argophilia Travel News. As a recognized authority on search engine optimization and public relations, her expertise has graced esteemed platforms such as BBC News, Reuters, and Al Jazeera. In the culinary world, her insights are cherished and featured in reputable outlets like The Daily Meal, Friends Eat, and Lifehacker, underscoring the breadth of her knowledge and influence.

Transylvanian Cookbook: 100 recipes from my childhood in the heart of Transylvania by Florin Muresan

Transylvanian Cookbook: 100 recipes from my childhood in the heart of Transylvania is a cookbook described as inspired by the author’s love of life, and this is truly reflected in every last word and page. It’s Transylvanian comfort food at its very best, with all of Romania’s most popular dishes featured. The level of detail in this cookbook will blow you away. Complex, multi-stage procedures like making meatballs are presented with multiple images guiding the reader. Between the visual aid and the intricate procedural guidance given in the instructions, it’s impossible to go wrong, and no shortcuts are taken. The food featured is truly elevated classics at their very best. 

If you’re the type of cook who loves to pour effort into getting things perfect, Muresan’s Transylvanian Cookbook is for you. You’ll soon be nailing everything from preparation to presentation when following detailed insight in this book. Tips are thoughtfully placed throughout, guiding one through storage, serving suggestions, and the like. Prospective readers should know that one or two specialty ingredients may be called for, but fortunately, they are far and between. With this being said, not one recipe breaks away from traditional flavors, which is exactly what one wants when sampling something as specific as Transylvanian food. 

About The Author: Florin Muresan is a multifaceted author, editor, and illustrator hailing from Transylvania, Romania. His work is a culinary homage to his roots, weaving together traditional and modern interpretations of Transylvanian cuisine. 

The Ultimate Romanian Cookbook: 111 tasty dishes from Romania to cook right now (Balkan Food Book 7) Book 7 of 12: Balkan food | by Slavka Bodic

The Ultimate Romanian Cookbook: 111 tasty dishes from Romania to cook right now has easy, tasty recipes for meal times and tastes. From breakfasts and stews to doughnuts and dipping sauces, this cookbook has it all. There are a couple of pages devoted to Romania’s history and culture, but the bulk of the book is devoted to the recipes. Even though there aren’t any images, the author’s clarity of instruction and brief introductions to each dish ensure that every last one comes out perfect every time. There is also enough variety to make cooks familiar enough with Romanian flavors to inspire their own recipes. 

Just like the rest of the books in this brilliant world-cuisine series, The Ultimate Romanian Cookbook is geared towards busy cooks and beginners. The recipes are all extremely concise, citing ingredients, nutritional info, and basic steps without any elaborate introductions or discourses concerning techniques. Everything is supremely approachable, which makes this one of the optimal options for those who don’t want to fuss with the details. You won’t need to hunt down exotic ingredients, and all the recipes still come out with distinctive Romanian flair across flavor and plating. 

About The Author: Slavka Bodic, a native of the Balkans, blogger, and author of more than 80 cookbooks showcasing global cuisine, is devoted to preserving and promoting the culinary richness of her home region. Her life in the former Yugoslavia was one where good food and happiness were intertwined, and the culinary tradition was ingrained in everyday life. 

The Ultimate Romanian Cookbook: delicious Romanian foods to prepare by Teri M. Dean

The Ultimate Romanian Cookbook: delicious Romanian foods to prepare is a barebones cookbook free from all forms of frills. Without introductions, history, or lengthy discourses on how to perform each step, readers are given a selection of reliable recipes that always over-deliver on flavor. They’re easy to customize but need no further elevation to come out perfect. The author assumes a certain degree of experience in the kitchen, but most overlooked steps are intuitive or straightforward to discern. Between breakfasts, appetizers, dips and spreads, soups, salads, main dishes, pastries, and desserts, there’s enough variety for all diets and palates. 

The recipes in The Ultimate Romanian Cookbook are all intended to be tasty and inexpensive, and they sure do deliver. Another great part of this functional recipe book is how traditional holiday foods are featured among the classic Romanian comfort food that makes up most of its copy. If you’re a complete beginner with no desire to learn whatsoever or a reader who has to have pictures, then this isn’t the book for you. All others who value concise, clear instructions and recipes that simply need to be performed as instructed, give it a look, and you certainly won’t be disappointed. There are tons of options to pick from, and every meal comes out amazing. 

About The Author: Terri M. Dean is a psychologist, writer, storyteller, and former blogger who spreads her talent between cookbooks, travel stories, and romantic fiction. The ever-popular indie author has a knack for conveying complex cookery clearly and concisely.  

Black Sea: Dispatches and Recipes, Through Darkness and Light by Caroline Eden

Black Sea is a masterful concoction of travelog and recipe book, winning the hearts of readers and critics alike, securing a multitude of awards. The author’s keen eye for intriguing recipes and captivating stories takes us on a journey, offering a uniquely intimate glimpse into this culturally intertwined region. With the precision of a novelist, Eden crafts a multifaceted portrait of the Black Sea region, paying homage to its complexity, resilience, and remarkable culinary traditions. As should be clear, this isn’t a cookbook covering Romania exclusively but rather one of the most beautiful portraits of the region and its influences on food in print. 

This explorative celebration of travel and food is accompanied by beautiful photography and sumptuous recipes deeply rooted in the history and lives of the people of the region. Readers are taken through a journey that starts with a prelude that sets the setting for the mindset through which to view food and culinary customs. Odessa is explored, then Romania, Bulgaria, Istanbul, Turkey’s Black Sea Region, and finally Trabzon and Environs, looking at the surrounding area Northeast of Turkey. The recipes are gourmet creations that will take time and effort and thereby require some skill, but Black Sea is simply the best if you value food culture and its history. 

About The Author:  Caroline Eden is a prolific writer specializing in travel, food, and arts, who contributes her insightful pieces to esteemed platforms such as The Guardian, The Times Literary Supplement, and BBC, among others. Her earlier work on the Black Sea region swept several awards, including the esteemed 2020 Art of Eating Prize, along with recognition from the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards and the Guild of Food Writers Awards 2019. It was also shortlisted for the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink 2019 Awards and a James Beard award. 

Top 5 Print-Only Cookbooks

The following five Romanian cookbooks do not have any digital editions available, but they’re each beautiful books that are satisfying to own in print. Whether for direct reference, inspiration, to add to your collection, or as coffee table books, they’re sure to impress. 

Sanda Marin’s Traditional Romanian Cooking by Alina & Peter Deutsch

Sanda Marin’s Traditional Romanian Cooking is the most comprehensive Romanian recipe book in the world. Nothing compares to its range, but what’s even more impressive is just how much information is packed onto those pages. Readers learn how to cook perfect Romanian food, with all techniques explained in glorious detail. It’s exactly what every discerning cook could hope for and a book that many Romanian families have grown up with in their household, in the Romanian language version, of course. With an English and Romanian index, more recipes than you’ll ever be able to make unless you start cooking Romanian cuisine for every meal now, and quaint, content-appropriate illustrations placed at just the right points, this is one cookbook that every foodie simply has to have.

Sanda Marin’s Traditional Romanian Cooking stands proudly as a faithful translation of the recipes of one of the greatest Romanian cookbooks ever written. It is sure to become foundational in any household that values Eastern European food. True collectors will criticize how anecdotes, insight, humor, and other words of wisdom and storytelling from the original Romanian release are missing, but to those who will never read it, we’ll never know. Everything that’s there is pure gold. Traditional, easy-to-follow, and filled with a complete range of just about all of Romania’s recipes, this is a cookbook that comes at a steep cost when found, but it’s worth every last cent. 

About The Author:  Sanda Marin, a pseudonym of Cecilia Simionescu, is regarded as one of the most significant culinary authors in Romania. Born in 1886 into an influential family, her passion for cuisine developed early on, likely influenced by the elaborate meals and social gatherings at her family’s estate. Her seminal work, “Carte de Bucate” (Cookbook), published in the mid-20th century, is a landmark in Romanian culinary literature and continues to be a household staple. The book compiles hundreds of authentic recipes, techniques, and culinary wisdom that both preserve traditional Romanian cooking and adapt it to the modern kitchen. The “Julia Child of Romania” has had her work masterfully translated by Alina & Peter Deutsch and William Anzick.

Carpathia: Food from the Heart of Romania by Irina Georgescu

Carpathia: Food from the Heart of Romania stands tall as an essential guide to the often underrepresented Romanian cuisine. A distinguishing aspect of Carpathian cuisine lies in its deep-rooted connection with the land. With a climate that fosters a diverse array of forageable ingredients, the food of the Carpathian region is characterized by an abundance of wild mushrooms, berries, and herbs. These are not just supplementary but often form the heart of the dishes, making them distinct from the cuisine in other parts of Romania. Meat, especially game, and pork, plays a significant role, with stews and soups featuring these prominently, often smoked or cured for additional flavor. This is a cookbook that pays homage to all the influences such as the Saxons, Hungarians, and Ukrainian food culture that have infused themselves into Carpathian cuisine.

Some purists may yearn for more personal storytelling or reflections from the author, akin to the original Romanian releases of classic cookbooks. Yet, for those unfamiliar with the rich heritage of Romanian food culture, Carpathia offers a treasure trove of culinary wisdom. The breadth and depth of the Carpathian recipes presented are unparalleled. It’s the ideal cookbook for advanced cooks and those who want to understand the rich flavors that originate in the Carpathian Mountains. There are gorgeous pictures accompanying each dish and a few scattered shots of the area, thoughtfully placed in such a way that they build intrigue for Carpathia itself. 

About The Author: Irina Georgescu, a Bucharest-born food blogger, and author, brings Romania’s vibrant and underrepresented culinary heritage to the world stage. Having lived in Romania for 30 years before moving to Wales, her works serve as a heartfelt homage to her homeland, highlighting its diverse regional influences, overlapped cultures, and centuries-old traditions. A recipient of the 2023 James Beard Award in the Baking category, Irina’s debut publication was shortlisted for the Best International Cookbook Award by the UK Guild of Food Writers, earning a Silver Feather from the German Culinary Academy. 

The Romanian Cook Book by Anisoara Stan

The Romanian Cook Book is one of the most authentically Romanian cookbooks in print. The variety of recipes is mind-boggling, and the instructions are all straightforward, but they’re not step-by-step. This means that the author assumes that the reader knows their way around the kitchen, making this a go-to recipe collection for experienced cooks. It’s the most traditional recipe you’ll ever find packed into just over two-hundred pages, citing several incarnations of each classic dish with variations suited to all types and tastes. 

Pick up The Romanian Cookbook if you either hail from Romania or if you’re an experienced cook looking for inspiration. The recipes are perfect as-is and require no adaptation, but they’re also all open enough in their structure to allow for endless customization. All the hard-to-find recipes from Eastern Europe are there with so much variety that even the most well-versed cooks are sure to find something new. It’s a great find for anyone who wants to add lesser-known regional dishes to their repertoire and is almost a must for cookbook collectors.

About The Author: Anisoara Stan is a foundational Romanian author who has been helping map out Romanian culinary traditions since the eighties. With no less than three popular books published, these classics are quickly becoming elusive. 

Romanian & Bulgarian Food & Cooking: Over 65 Authentic Recipes From Eastern Europe, With 370 Photographs by Silvena Johan Lauta

As the name suggests, Romanian & Bulgarian Food & Cooking: Over 65 Authentic Recipes From Eastern Europe, With 370 Photographs, depicts food and food culture from two different regions, not just Romania, but it does so with grand, gorgeous imagery and equal caliber recipe copy. Introductions, instructions, tips, and discourses on traditional preparation methods are kept concise, but the clarity leaves no room for doubt. Bright, depictive food photography depicts crucial steps within each recipe, making the dishes in this cookbook exceedingly straightforward to try out. 

One would easily think that the best part about this book is the imagery, but it is much more than that. It’s easily one of the most intuitive cookbooks written and a book that presents instructions in such a way that they’re second nature to follow. It’s very well-written with superior publishing standards polishing aspects such as image placement, and the tips stated exactly when they’re needed. Romanian & Bulgarian Food & Cooking may be one of the most beautiful books to own in print on Romanian and Bulgarian cuisine, and it couldn’t be more highly recommended. 

About The Author: Silvena Johan Lauta is a food writer with no less than five books published who specializes in Eastern European cuisine. 

Paul Kovi’s Transylvanian Cuisine: History, Gastronomy, Legend, and Lore from Middle Europe’s Most Remarkable Region, over 300 Recipes by Paul Kovi

Paul Kovi’s Transylvanian Cuisine casts a spell of intrigue upon the reader through its rich range of recipes and tales from the heart of Transylvania. It opens the door to hundreds of culinary delights, ranging from ancestral favorites to contemporary marvels. Clear instructions pave the way, allowing cooks of all experience levels to immerse themselves in the region’s cuisine. This fascinating cookbook adorned with cultural context also looks into Transylvania’s gastronomic history, spotlighting regional and ethnic intricacies through insightful essays. By the time the reader is done, they’ll have a more complete conceptualization of the influences that have shaped Transylvanian cuisine.

There’s perhaps no better guide to localized food culture than a native of the region, and the author of Paul Kovi’s Transylvanian Cuisine is exactly that – a Transylvanian cook and scholar who spent his life collecting essays concerning the finer aspects of Transylvania and part Romania’s, cuisine and its history. It’s a weighty hardcover to have in one’s hand and a practical collectible tome that remains current, fresh, and inspiring all these years later. The recipes within are the best of the best, and you’ll find few better tutors than the guidance offered on its pages. Whether to expand your collection, skill set, or knowledge of Romania or Translaynia, this cookbook should be keenly considered. 

About The Author: Paul Kovi, a Hungarian-born culinary maestro who lived between the years of 1924 and 1998, dedicated four decades to influencing New York City’s fine dining milieu. Kovi’s epicurean journey, which began in the 1950s, culminated with his ownership and directorship of the famed Four Seasons restaurant during its twilight years. His in-depth exploration of Transylvanian cuisine furnishes a broad array of both traditional and modern recipes, supplemented by comprehensive essays that delve into the region’s gastronomic history and lore.

Frequently Asked Questions – Best Romanian Cookbooks

Have you been left wondering anything concerning the best Romanian cookbooks or the cuisine of Romania in general? We may have the answers you’re looking for here. 

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