Have you ever heard anyone say: "You want to go out for some Czech food tonight"?
For most of us, that's a "no". Czech restaurants aren't very prevalent in cities across the world, but one trip to the Czech Republic will show you why that's a real shame.
The country's cuisine is distinctive and diverse-but definitely delicious-with the capital Prague being a great place to sample a range of both traditional and modern takes on Czech dishes. Here are just a few of the culinary delights you can expect to see on menus there, along with recommendations on where best to eat them. All are best accompanied with a cold Czech beer.
Svícková
If boiled beef sounds like something your Grandma would have cooked you, then that is exactly why svícková is the ultimate Czech comfort food.
It is a sirloin steak of beef that has been marinated overnight and slowly braised in stock. The stock is then pureed and blended with cream to create a sauce which is poured over the beef. Svícková is usually served with bread dumplings (knedlík), cranberry sauce and a decadent dollop of whipped cream.
Where to eat it: The atmospheric (and historic) beer hall of U Medvídku.
Koláce
You may be familiar with the American version of koláce (often spelled kolache on this side of the globe), but the version sold in the Czech Republic is a completely different treat altogether.
It's sweet for a start, and the soft, fluffy round dough usually encases any variety of fillings such as jam, poppy seeds or quark cheese.
Where to eat it:Pekárna Kabát have several locations around the city and take pride in their poppy seed and fruit koláce.
Trdelnik
This sweet, sugared roll of dough is sold from street stands the city over. It is made by rolling a length of dough over a large metal tube, then baking it and covering it with a good dusting of sugar and crushed walnuts.
Most trdelnik are eaten just like this, warm from the oven, but certain sellers across the city have also started filling the rolls with Nutella, ice cream and other new-fangled fillings.
Where to eat it: A whole host of street stands, bakeries and window booths around the city.
Pecené Koleno
Many people believe that you can't say you've been to Prague until you've eaten this local delicacy.
Pecené koleno means "pork knuckle" and is exactly as the name suggests; a large, meaty pork knuckle, whose skin will often be crispy or highly seasoned. The knuckle may be served alone, with a few condiments on the side, or with potato noodles and vegetables.
Where to eat it: You'll probably have to wait for a table to eat the succulent pork knuckle at Mlejnice-but it's definitely worth it.
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