Pelmeni vs pierogi: what's the difference, and where to buy pelmeni in London
Pelmeni are small Russian dumplings with a thin dough wrapper and a raw meat filling, boiled and eaten with butter, sour cream or vinegar. Pierogi are larger Polish dumplings with a thicker dough and many fillings, from potato and cheese to fruit, and are often boiled and then fried. Vareniki are the Ukrainian cousin of pierogi.
The Kalinka team, 35 Queensway2 min read
You can buy pelmeni in London at Kalinka, 35 Queensway, W2 4QJ, or order them online from kalinkastore.com.
Pelmeni vs pierogi at a glance
| Pelmeni | Pierogi | Vareniki | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Russia (Urals and Siberia) | Poland | Ukraine |
| Size | Small, bite-sized | Larger | Medium to large |
| Dough | Thin | Thicker, softer | Soft |
| Usual filling | Raw minced meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb) | Potato and cheese, cabbage, meat, fruit | Potato, cottage cheese, cherry, cabbage, mushrooms |
| Shape | Small round, folded and pinched | Half-moon | Half-moon |
| Served | Boiled, with butter, sour cream, vinegar or broth | Boiled, then often fried with onion or bacon | Boiled, with sour cream or butter (sweet ones with sugar) |
Pierogi and vareniki are close enough that the names get swapped. Pelmeni are the odd one out: the filling is meat, and the thin dough cooks in minutes.
Which one do you want?
- A quick, filling dinner with meat: pelmeni.
- Something meat-free: vareniki with potato, cabbage or mushrooms, or pierogi.
- Something sweet: vareniki with cherry or with sweet cottage cheese.
Where to buy pelmeni in London
Kalinka is an Eastern European grocery shop at 35 Queensway, W2 4QJ, near Queensway and Bayswater stations. Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 21:00, Sunday 11:00 to 20:00. You can also order from our online shop.
Pelmeni in stock now:
- £6.10
- £13.20
- £13.20
- £14.20
- £14.20
- £15.25
- £16.25
- £18.30
Browse the full range: all pelmeni and vareniki. The same shelf has vareniki with potato, cabbage, mushrooms, cottage cheese and cherry, from £5.60.
- First time: a classic pork-and-beef one, such as Uralskie or Sibirskie.
- Beef only: Taezhnye (Emela) or the Berger halal beef.
- Lighter: the chicken pelmeni from Elena.
- Small trial pack: the 400g Kazakhstan-style with lamb.
How to cook pelmeni
- Bring a large pan of water to the boil and salt it.
- Add the pelmeni straight from the freezer. Do not defrost them.
- Stir once so they do not stick. They are ready a few minutes after they float to the top. Check the pack for the exact time.
- Drain and serve at once with butter, sour cream, a little vinegar, black pepper or dill.
Leftovers fry well in a pan with butter and onion.
Quick answers
- Are pelmeni the same as pierogi?
- No. Pierogi are Polish, larger, and usually filled with potato, cheese or fruit. Pelmeni are Russian, small and usually meat.
- What is the difference between pelmeni and vareniki?
- Pelmeni have a meat filling. Vareniki are Ukrainian and filled with potato, cottage cheese, cherry or similar.
- Can you buy pelmeni in London?
- Yes. Kalinka stocks around a dozen kinds at 35 Queensway, W2 4QJ, and online.
- Do pelmeni need defrosting?
- No. Cook them from frozen.
Order online or visit
Order at kalinkastore.com or visit us at 35 Queensway, London W2 4QJ. Delivery details are on the FAQ page.