Now, these dumplings aren’t like the ones you might know from Chinese restaurants or chicken and dumplings in the U.S. Czech dumplings are slices of soft, steamed bread that you use to soak up the sauce. It’s the kind of food that makes you feel cozy, especially on a cold day.
After that, I tried a bunch of other Czech dishes. Svíčková quickly became one of my favorites. It’s beef in a creamy vegetable sauce, usually served with more dumplings and a slice of lemon on top. Then there’s schnitzel, a crispy, breaded piece of meat that reminds me a bit of fried chicken. I also got to try kačena, which is roast duck, and smažený sýr, which might be the most fun of them all! It’s literally fried cheese! Imagine a giant mozzarella stick, but made Czech-style.
I was in heaven when I first tried the food! Even though it was different from what I was used to, it reminded me of one of my favorite dishes from home—chili! The mix of meat, vegetables, potatoes and bread made me feel like I was back home on a cool fall day, getting ready to watch college football. Like I mentioned earlier, lunch is the main meal in the Czech Republic, so the portions were big and filling. After eating, I felt just like I do after Thanksgiving—full, sleepy and happy. Czech food might be unique, but it’s not so different from the comfort foods we love in the United States.
