Bulgarian Shopska Salad - A Culinary Adventure in Varna Bulgaria 🇧🇬

Bulgarian Shopska Salad - A Culinary Adventure 🇧🇬
Join me as we visit the communist era market, in Varna Bulgaria, and source the freshest ingredients for the ultimate Bulgarian Shopska Salad with Rakia.
In this video I will share with you the best way to prepare this traditional Bulgarian Salad and show you how well it pairs with their national drink Rakia.
We go on the hunt for the freshest vegetable and meet some amazingly interesting people on the way!!!
If you enjoy adventure videos from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, then grab your vodka, some zakusky and join me as we explore the Truly extraordinary Kolkhoz Market in the city of Varna in Bulgaria and prepare this amazing shopska salad.
Follow me on instagram bit.ly/3roTXGS

[@radoslavpetrov6841]

I am from varna. The market is called Kholhoz pazar indeed. Everyone from varna knows the place as Kholhoz bazar or just “Kholhoza”

[@user-og3gf4ih7i]

Adding sunflower oil to the salad makes it 10 times better. The oil mixes with the juices from the tomatoes and that for me is the best part of it. Just dip some bread in the juice and eat it... Perfect

[@ayrtong171]

there s nothing better than olive oil for seasoning salads

[@pavelivanov2064]

"Опа! There's already a problem." Legend!

[@J.E.E]

👌👍

[@theswede5402]

Love how Justin puts on an eastern accent when interracting with locals :D

[@J.E.E]

🤣🤣🤣 years of perfecting!!!

[@radoslavpetrov6841]

Actually he speaks outstanding Bulgarian. With virtually native pronunciation. He just needs greater dictionary in Bulgarian. Congratulations Justin!

[@newcvotel]

@@radoslavpetrov6841 Thank you so much Radoslav... I really appreciate it👍👃👌

[@yani1343]

The interaction with the old lady in the spice store was so wholesome!

[@0xe849]

Oh maaaan you should make a culinary show :D I love how you know even the little secrets.

[@J.E.E]

Hi Anton, Thanks for the kind comment. Justin the kitchen will be coming soon, so lookout for the announcement.

[@intedinensak453]

I could live there just for the fresh produce and the price on cheese. Looks absolutly delicious!

[@J.E.E]

Hi Inte, Absolutely agree, the freshness of the food is striking. Let me know if you decide to visit!!!

[@intedinensak453]

@@J.E.E Howdy! Will do. Have a great time. Cheers.

[@josharnold7247]

Bro I am so impressed. First you speak Bulgarian so well, then you make the best shopska salad Ive ever seen. Respect

[@J.E.E]

Hello mate, Thank you so much for the kind words, watching and commenting... I'm really glad you enjoyed! 👍👌

[@grud43]

If you are Bulgarian living in UK as me,I mean the guy talking about the look of the salad ,you would not be surprised.The way the salads are made in UK are with bigger chunks and parts,so Justin made it simply in British style if I could use such a description.Shopska salata in Bulgaria should also content bigger chunks but just for the tomatoes and cucumbers but still smaller than Justin's.Another thing-He used Bulgarian products-top choice if you would like to taste real Bulgarian ,delicious food.Well done Justin!You really got close to what is traditional Bulgarian food,of course there are more to add.Tarator for example is traditional Bulgarian cold soup,you could add and meat and grill dishes tipical for Bulgaria if you are meat eater.Good luck!

[@dimitartotsev5114]

I love your videos and I miss my hometown like crazy! Just for the record by adding the roasted pepper you made the '' Selska Salata'' or Villager salad. Still amazing!

[@J.E.E]

Hi Dimitar, Thank you for the tip and clarification👍👍👍 It was amazing though. Thank you for watching and commenting... It helps support the channel👍👌

[@ChIGuY-town22_]

Stuffed grape leaves are a tradition in my family, we are Assyrian. We use rice, finely diced lamb, or beef as stuffing. An served with fresh lemon, an yogurt. Thanks for sharing your journey, stay safe.

[@user-rl8pe2vj4x]

same here in bulgaria we call it "sarmi"-grape leaves or pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice and good bulgarian yogurt(we call it sour milk)bugarians have much common things and words with that part of the world,some of our nation roots are from there and we preserve some of the old traditinal dishes many many years 👍

[@J.E.E]

Hi Vic, Sorry I missed this comment. I would love to try them, I have had them with lamb and they are amazing. Honestly that virus knocked me out for about a month, but back with full force now👍👌

[@TelegaNickLondon22]

Amazing salad and food, my mouth was watering while watching lol!!

[@J.E.E]

Mission accomplished mate👌 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍👌

[@jelyotodorov9230]

Hi! Everything about this video is perfect. You managed to capture the Bulgarian specificity and convey it realistically. I would like to clarify that the main product in "kiopolu" is eggplant! 80% eggplant! I even think that there is not "kepolu" in the glass, but "lutenitsa". Lutenitsa is really made mainly from peppers and tomatoes. Be healthy!

[@hajnalkanagy518]

Very very tasty .☺👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@J.E.E]

It was👌👍

[@portfolio175]

Justin, amazing work! I am Bulgarian and started to watch your videos for Bulgaria. Now, you hooked me up and I am watching your videos for Poland. Great work! 👍

[@user-nn7mg3bp4u]

Congrats Justin, you're officially Bulgarian now!

[@chubbawubba9801]

Thank you for sharing, very beautiful artwork in that chapel. Also nice deal on genuine leather products. Look forward to your next video. cheers

[@user-rl8pe2vj4x]

great vidieo man but the original ciganska banitza is made the same way but with salt, redpeper and chubritsa,the sharena sol is great with some hot fresh bread,also when you cut the red peper for the shopska salata put them in a cup with 3-4 spoons of olive oil or sunflower oil and half spoon of red vinegar for 30min-1hr then add them to the salad with the oil.if you want more traditional bulgarian food try shkembe chorba(tripe soup),patatnik(baked mash potatos with herbs),mish mash(red pepers,onion,eggs with white cheese),musaka,kapama,kavarma,all sorts of giuveche and vinen kebap(wine kebap),hope the bulgarian flu(i got it too,no drugs just rakia and hot chilly shkembe with tons of garlick for 2 days and i was like new) is gone and you will have more great episodes of our countrys hidden gems.👍🙂наздраве 🍻

[@J.E.E]

Hi mate, Thank you so much for the tips, I always look to learn and better my skills. I think Bulgaria has one of the best kitchens so any feedback from the locals is great. Thank you for watching and commenting it helps support the channel 👍👌

[@IliyanStoychev]

Hey, amazing video, Justin. The Shopska salad looks amazing. However the rakia - Karnobatska is not that good, atleast in my humble opinion(worked as a bartender and that rakia is cheap and not good). Next time try "Burgas 63 Barell-Aged" or just "Burgas 63" it's a top rakia brand and it's taste is superb.

[@J.E.E]

Hi Ilyan, Thank you for the kind comment, and next time in Bulgaria I will for sure try that Rakia. Thank you for the advice and for watching 👌👍

[@TheVassit]

Good work on the salad but you should consider that because we have 4 seasons over here we actually eat seasonal food. So the tomatoes and cucumbers during the winter won’t be the best quality ;) they’re still ok but the best u can have is during the summer, when they are sunny as we would say :) During the winter season, yes the sarmi is a big thing and for salad people often will have pickled veggies “turshiq”. The banitza and the cheese is an all year meal. Try lyutenitza if you haven’t, we’re big fans.

[@J.E.E]

Hi Vaselina. Actually O am a huge fan of Bulgarian cuisine so thank you so much for the tips. I am happy you enjoyed the video and thank you for your support. All the best👍👌

[@TheVassit]

@@J.E.E glad u like it 😊what’s your favourite meal?

[@J.E.E]

@@TheVassit I think my favorite is Chicken Kavarma... And yours?

Don't forget famous kjufte and kebapche. Really tasty meal.

[@sbmateev]

OMG Justin. Everytime i watch your videos I get this specific feeling. Your Bulgarian is really "cute". It's really impressive how you pronounce. And your Bulgarian voice reminds me of a television voice that is used to translate movies. 😄

[@rama_nl]

Наздраве Джъстин!Cheers Justin, great video and slow down with rakiyata, so you don't have a headache.

[@J.E.E]

Thank you my friend. Never really drink enough to get a headache, just to open the appetite 👍👌 but I appreciate the tip

[@rimonb555]

love your videos justin this video is so beautifull i love buglaria and buglarin pepole great place to visit this is my number one place to visit

[@J.E.E]

תודה שי I also love the place, perhaps our paths will cross and we can enjoy a Rakia together

[@rimonb555]

@@J.E.E thanks i hope too :)

[@edgarsmetals9697]

Nice cooking skills, well done!

[@J.E.E]

Thank you Edgar's... It was good👍👌

[@rositsaabrashkova4680]

Just a little remark....you also add a drizzle of sunflower oil or olive oil to the shopska salad!

[@J.E.E]

Great tip! Thank you so much for watching . 👍👌

[@Thomas-jq2im]

I'm loving these videos! Much better than that other bald guy :)

[@J.E.E]

😂😂😂 That is very kind of you to say. Thank you for supporting the channel with your kind comment and sub. All the best mate 👍

[@Crackers2549]

Justin haha, love this...! You are a heck of a negotiator when it comes to purchases from these vendors...! Greg...IN

[@J.E.E]

Hi Greg, Yeah I find it more fun than just buying something at the mall.

[@TomLafford]

Another fascinating video! I always enjoy watching you barter at stalls

[@J.E.E]

Thank you Tom, It's a lot of fun to shop with vendors rather than big stores at the mall. Always appreciate your comments 👌👍

[@mikeirwin8142]

Enjoy the night train and the early morning in Sofia.

[@J.E.E]

Hi Mike... Absolutely right, got in at 7am I guess you have ridden that route before

[@Miromarkus]

Salad is looking good! :)

[@valedmonds6189]

Just finished watching all your Varna videos. Really REALLY enjoyed them. I live only a few kilometers from Varna, but unfortunately can't get around much any more. Remember lots of places from when I first came to live here from the UK 16 years ago. Thank you so much for a really enjoyable watch xxx

[@krasimirtenev5005]

Thanks man! You made me make shopska salad and drink rakia in US. You are a real Bulgarian now!

[@J.E.E]

Bravo👌👍

[@aleksound2005]

Justin,you are amazing,I don't say that vary often,you make me so proud with my country,and the way you are doing it and even knowing I bit of Bulgarian that well..man I am your fan,keep it up,you are doing extremely well ❤❤

[@itsmalkamusic]

So happy you’re back!!

[@J.E.E]

Thank you

[@dowhatyouwant6856]

Amazing :)

[@J.E.E]

Thank you so much!

[@heidcam]

Looks great. 😃👍

[@J.E.E]

Thanks👍👌

[@eltenda]

Sorry I missed this video! Where there are food and happy people is always a good thing! Take care my friend! P.s I like the new leather update:)

[@J.E.E]

Hello mate, So happy to see your comment, I always appreciate the interaction with you guys. Good food and good vibes, what more can anyone ask for? Cheers mate👌👍

[@matusdatko]

Hey Justin, great content. Hope you will visit Bratislava :)

[@eltenda]

P.s. that dish made me hungry!!!

[@J.E.E]

Mission accomplished 👍👌

[@ventsislavstoyanov9431]

bravo

[@J.E.E]

Merci👍👌

[@dazalttheory8965]

Justin, the effort you put into this video is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and makes me really want to visit Varna. Let's hope things don't go silly regarding 🇺🇲 Vs. 🇷🇺 meaning that I can enjoy Bulgaria later this year 🤞

[@J.E.E]

Thank you my friend. I also appreciate the comment as some videos can require many hours of recording and editing. I wish us all to get over this madness and get back on our journeys👍👌

[@ericlloyd663]

incredible video. thank you !

[@J.E.E]

Thanks for watching mate!👍

[@theenforcer4196]

Hey, Justin! You're already half way of becoming Bulgarian! It is amazing to see a Brit enjoying his stay in Bulgaria for the right things - food and peace. If you happen to visit North-West Bulgaria, my region, you'll find sights that are somehow different and yet the same as in the Varna region. If you have not been to Kamchia, I thimk you will find it interesting there. It;s near Varna. P.S. The little cucumbers you used for the Shopska salad - we call them kurnishon and we tend to use 'em when we make pickles. I personally like 'em as pickles cut thin on top with pate

[@anwaralazmi4749]

very nice, good job :)

[@J.E.E]

Thank you Anwar.

[@kooloneism]

interesting

[@J.E.E]

Happy you liked it👌👍

[@PembrokeshireBoyinThailand]

Great video again Justin, could you please give a run down of the spices i missed it in the video Stay safe and keep the videos coming mate

[@J.E.E]

Hi Paul, Sorry I missed this message. The salad had absolutely no spices, but on the toast I put a spice called Sharina sol, which translates to colored salt and it is a blend of spices from Bulgaria. I would be happy to send you a pack as I have loads👌👍

[@stoyanstoyanov9282]

Good shop

[@J.E.E]

👌👍

[@hristobalabanov1973]

Very nice video!

[@J.E.E]

Thank you Hristo!!!

[@hristobalabanov1973]

@@J.E.E you are welcome, we waiting for the next video in Bulgaria!

[@beebeequeen3874]

Totally 👏 great video your fantastic price wicked 😂😁💚

[@J.E.E]

Thank you so much👍👌

[@georgih]

wtf man, how do you speak bulgarian :D Im impressed! This channel isgoing to millions, mark my word ;)

[@J.E.E]

Hi my friend, Thanks for the kind comment, i appreciate it!!😃👍 Thank you so much for watching and commenting 👍👌

[@TeodorIvanov662]

My friend , liutenitza and kiopulo are different things,! You need to try kiopulo! Very nice video, thank you!

[@masubg]

Toasted bread with sharena sol, chees or yellow chees and linden tea was the most common breakfast I had as a kid

[@juliad77355]

Okay! Next video you can add some Lukanka&Sujuk and Pastarma with Bulgarian wine😉Enjoy!

[@nenogenov3826]

Nice

[@J.E.E]

Thank you

[@trakkoman]

Hi! I like these videos. my mother is bulgarian and I haven´t been there since 2019. I live in Sweden. It´s kind of emotional for me when viewing your videos, but I love your videos from around the world! keep it up! I wait and watch every video! Blagodariq i merci!

[@J.E.E]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting, it really helps support the channel. 👍👌

[@iliyankiryakov3535]

Justin dont you know that there in Varna are not not only that bazar? Theres a similar bazar like that one called Bazar of Chataldja. You can check it either. Cheers.

[@dsdlizard2886]

The roasted pepper makes it a salad known as the Villager Salad, the shopska salad should be made with raw green or red pepper according to one's taste. Still this video's a gem cool work

[@dianatenekedjian692]

KEEP GOING JUSTIN.WELL DONN!!!

[@J.E.E]

Thank you so much, i appreciate the support!! 😃👍

[@matttitiyevskiy889]

Just want to say, Love your channel, great content! Have a question about Baltic states, want to come in June with my wife and kids for two weeks. Is it safe there now?

[@ti6o27]

Hello Justin! Very nice and possitive mini document movies with very interesting prospective! I've just small question. Have you add olive ool to the salad, because it is an obligation! ;-)

[@naskoyankov281]

Nazdraveee

[@TroyanMarshall]

My friend; your shopska salatka looks good, but you are missing vinegar and oil. These two make the secret sauce for the salatka👌🏽😁

[@dragozhekovdragov8377]

Danchii😄👋

[@czajkinadwoda]

Scouser laa 👍🏻💪🏻

[@J.E.E]

👌👍

[@rado_grami]

You got that 50% off in like 20 sec xD

[@J.E.E]

Made it a take it or.leave it offer, as I wanted to get on with my filming. Thank you for watching and commenting 👍👌

[@phoenixdoom]

They know how to boost the price, but you also know how to negotiate :)

[@user-zh6xs5wq5o]

if you want to expiriance one of my favorite deserts in Bulgaria you should ask for TIKVENIK - this is something like pumpkin pie with wallnuts made from this dough that we make banica or baklava. Might does not sound amazing ,but if you taste it you can not stop eating especially if it is home made.

[@janis1099]

👍

[@J.E.E]

👍👌

[@gordonpi8674]

Shopska salad in the middle of the winter, ha, ha.

[@armin666mafiakowalskistudg8]

🥰

[@J.E.E]

👌👍

[@TheFrankonia83]

It seems to me Kyopolo is very similar to Ajvar in taste and texture and you actually could use it on everything. ;)

[@J.E.E]

It is indeed... I love the stuff and always overdose on it when I am in BG😂

[@Domino...]

Hi, Justin! You have to visit Plovdiv. The oldest city in Europe. Plovdiv is the first Bulgarian city chosen to be European Capital of Culture. 🇧🇬

[@importedvixen]

When are you coming to Croatia?

[@yanchostefanov5729]

🙏🙏🙏

[@zeoxbg]

Regarding the gold vendors you passed... You'd be surprised to find out that they are selling actual Cartier jewelry :) It might sound a bit strange but those are actually THE vendors for gold in this city. It might sound a bit strange that they are in this part of town, but you have to understand that the No. 1 clientelle for this kind of stuff around here are roma and turkish people.... And they know their stuff when it comes to gold, they may wear Adibas and Nice shoes, but you can bet they have something on them that is at least 20 grams and 18 carrats :) The more wealthy of them can tell if a Rolex watch is geniune or not, and quite a few might wear one :)... Something that most Bulgarians are not too fussy about, if it's gold it's gold.... An average roma person can tell you the producer, model and year of production of a jewel just by looking at it while you wear it :) They are quite knowledgable on collectors coins too. So this market is a usual place for those people, and that is why all those jewelry shops are there. Sure there are other shops around town, in the malls or in the city centre, but... Just try and spend 10 minutes in one of those shops, see how much busyness is done in this time, and then try ANY other jewelry shop in the city. These 3 are by far the best :)

[@zeoxbg]

Likewise, about 100 meters from this place is the best currency exchange place in town. And I'm talking large scale exchange If you're exchanging anything below 1000 USD/GBP/EUR it might be pretty much the same everywhere. But this exchange.... You go there usually with a minimum of 2500 USD/GBP/EUR and you get the best price in town. similarly you go there with 5000 BGN and buy any currency you wish, you get the best price in town. Ofcourse they work with smaller amounts too, and they are a Western Union partner too, so they deal with a lot of money. Anyways a lot of cash is generated in this market, and a large portion of it goes either to this exchange office or those 3 jewelry shops :)

[@veselinkarabakalov1945]

My friend I am happy for you to enjoy the Bulgarian food, but you forgot to put oil on the salad and Kashkaval pane you should eat hot❗ Actually every region in Bulgaria have slightly different way of cooking❗ Rakia is the best with Peper and garlic salad or with tomato juice and onions or Kiopolu which is roasted eggplants smashed with garlic and oil❗ But you have to try Wolf salad, which is BBQ meat (hot) and different Lukanka kinda meats dry salamy and dry meat selection, definitely the best salad for any tipe of drinks wine or rakia❗ Try it...

[@georgibraykov3715]

Nice video, but there are some misinformation. 1) Shopska salad is made without peppers. 2) The stuff that you said is kiopolu is called liutenica. Kiopolu is something else made from aubergines and garlic. 3) I don’t know someone in Bulgaria who makes ciganska banica with toasted bread, but I will accept it, but definitely on top must have paprika red pepper, the sharena sol is additional, a matter of taste, ingredient. Good luck with your videos!

[@bubbymustard5547]

You just have to put sunflower oil and salt into the salad too. It makes it 2x times yummier.

[@jiroscop]

That's not кьополу, it's лютеница as you correctly described it at the last minute :)

[@tsanikerdakov]

The guy with the hats and bags literally just scammed u, 120lv is way too much for these, you could have said 60 and he would’ve react the same. But anyway, keep up the good work! Greetings from Bulgaria! 🙏🏼

[@TelegaNickLondon22]

Hm at 16.10 i believe that gypsy woman intentionally bumped into you, be careful in these situations your wallet can dissapear!

[@user-rl8pe2vj4x]

by the way she bump and how she look at his pockets i was thinking the same thing,but she was looking for her child behind him,however this is the way you loose ur wallet in bulgaria for sure,you have be aware when you see gypsi around you,not all of them are like this but most are....and they are very good at pickpocketing.

[@dimitartotsev5114]

Lol I was going say the same thing. And the little kid was the de-coy

[@J.E.E]

Thank you guys!!! Will be on the lookout in future. Fortunately I didn't loose anything Thank you all for watching and commenting 👌👍

[@lachezarmitev3138]

Nice salad ,but why didn't you invite a bulgarian girl to share the rakia It would make a cool video cheers

[@J.E.E]

Agreed… thanks for watching my friend! 👍👌

[@BalkanMode]

What they call “dolma” (filled) in Turkey, Greece, etc. is called “sarma” (wrapped) in Bulgaria, Romania, and possibly some other Balkan countries.

[@J.E.E]

Thank you very much for your input!

[@nettvshumen]

Something very important for shop salad is hot pepper

[@J.E.E]

Thank you so much for you feedback, i really appreciate it!! 👍😃

[@fearfactory1316]

hey Justin , you are already bulgarian , lol

[@veselindonchev5058]

With one shop salad I drink three rakia (100 g each), but after eating two salads the next day I get a headache from the parsley in the salad

[@ivanivanov10228]

Bag probably costs like 25-30 leva ,hat costs around 20 leva too but whatever 😂

[@alinaalina6826]

Im from Varna and I dont know for ciganska banitza never have eat aaa? We dont put pepper on salad special shopska salate from Bulgaria its without pepper,we put it in another salad,but Shopska salate by Serbian - yes they put that pepper,😆 also next time buy long cucumber Gergana ist the Best and yuimi. I put over cheese Black peper mm nazdrave,best regards!

[@J.E.E]

Hi Alina, Thank you so much for the feedback and the tips. I know a place in Varna where you can order Tsiganska Banitsa, so if you like I could tell you where you can try it. All the best and thank you for your comment 😊

[@unAbated.]

@@J.E.E She is probably too young to know Tsiganska banitsa. Original shopska (since 1950s) is made with fresh peppers but still through the years theres has been a lot of different "approaches" to it. About Gergana cucumber, you do not peel it same as Kornishoni (small cucumbers with "pimples) they are the purest and true bulgarian ones.

[@slavi-koen]

I am from Varna, have some thing about the salad. You must to get more creamy cheese than the chunky one. The cucumbers must to be normal, not that short "kurnishon" . Behind your start point is another fruit/vegetables market, and shop specialize in bulgarian cheese . Got look next time :)

[@J.E.E]

Thank you Slavi for your input and the suggestion. Nest time I am in Varna I will check the store. Thank you for watching and commenting 👌👍

[@Stan535d]

Mate I’m surprised how you could remember the name of this old women couple months later

[@davidmalka1693]

First

[@J.E.E]

Thank you mate

[@MrAlien-zl5md]

120 leva for a hat daaaaamn

[@radostinangelov9193]

That guy that was trying to see you that hat for that price was scamming you basically, it doesn't cost even the half of what he was telling you.

[@user-ch7xd9lo1s]

I see some mistakes. Your salat need sunflower oil, never put in peppers from conserve. And the rakiya must be cooled. Nazdrave!

[@J.E.E]

Thanks for the tips, i will try it next time!! 👍😃

[@aslamkhan-bf9sp]

Iam in Latvia

[@J.E.E]

Welcome brother... Perfect timing. Let's meet up if you like?!?! Do you use Instagram? To communicate?!

[@aslamkhan-bf9sp]

@@J.E.E Yes,

[@J.E.E]

@@aslamkhan-bf9sp send me a DM @justin_easterneurope

[@dragozhekovdragov8377]

Du hast vergessen Öl für Salat kaufen

[@lihi9665]

Excellent bulgare 👍🇧🇪🌹🇧🇬

[@Elsewhere1912]

Great video, but just a little remark. You are having rakia shots. Bulgarians don't drink in shots, only russians maybe. Do you have russian origins. Your russian vocabulary is astonishing too. 😀

[@user-sy3sb4sx9c]

Това, което приготви е овчарска салата - с печени чушки. Шопската е със сурови чушки. И да ти кажа, че те лъже Енвер - старите варненци никога не сме наричали Колхозния пазар Турски пазар.

[@grud43]

Овчарската салата е с повече продукти от печени чушки,провери доверени Български рецептурници-този потурнак е като всички турци или поне повечето от тях-обичат да потурчват,така че вероятно си прав

[@safin4omarat719]

dude u forget oil :))