Why do Russians love ‘pelmeni’ aka dumplings so much?

‘Pelmeni’ aka dumplings aren't just food; they’re a cultural code and DNA of Russian cuisine. According to surveys, 98% of Russians love this dish and many eat it at least several times a month). Furthermore, over a third of Russians make ‘pelmeni’at home! So, what's the reason for this nationwide love?

The perfect food for cold weather

It’s believed that ‘pelmeni’ first appeared in the Urals and Siberia at the turn of the 14th-15th centuries, where they were inherited from Turkic nomads. There’s another theory: ‘pelmeni’ came to Russia from China. Be that as it may, the name ‘pelmeni’ itself comes from the Komi-Permyak words ‘pel’ (‘ear’) and ‘nyan’ (‘bread’) – meaning ‘bread ear’.
In the harsh climate, a dish made of dough and meat was a lifesaver.

‘Pelmeni’ could be prepared for future use, knowing that, at any moment, you could grab a handful from the cold and have a hot, hearty meal within minutes. This strategic supply was useful for both travelers and large families.

National love

Residents of central Russia developed a taste for ‘pelmeni’ around the 19th century, sometimes calling them "little ears", because of their shape. At that time, people began traveling more frequently between regions (partly due to the development of new transport), adopting their neighbors' traditions. Since then, ‘pelmeni’ have become firmly established as a staple Russian dish. They began to be served not only in roadside taverns, but also in expensive restaurants in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Chefs were even brought in from Siberia to ensure authenticity.

But, the real boom in popularity happened during the Soviet years, when their production shifted from home-based to industrial. This occurred in the mid-1930s. The assortment was diverse: with chicken, minced meat, fish – and, most importantly, it all cost kopeks (pennies).‘Pelmennye’ (‘dumpling houses’) – cafes specializing specifically in this dish – began opening all over the country. These were places offered an inexpensive and quick snack. However, not everyone liked the taste, which is why many Soviet people preferred to make their favorite ‘pelmeni’ themselves.

A sense of home

Family ‘pelmeni’-making sessions are one of the most important rituals for many generations of Russians (and not only them!). Just imagine: a quiet winter evening, frost and darkness outside the window and several generations of a family gathering in the kitchen to make ‘pelmeni’. Making them isn't all that difficult; you just need to wrap the filling in dough. But, that's not the main point.

The very process of creating them is a bonding experience with relatives, culinary creativity and even meditation of sorts. Some of the ‘pelmeni’ are then frozen for later, while the rest are eaten at the table together. ‘Pelmeni’ truly bring people together! And it's precisely evenings like this that people remember with nostalgia for the rest of their lives. After all, the Russian love for ‘pelmeni’ is also a love of home and a sense of family!