What Goes In

Ingredients & Sourcing

Traditional ingredients, made-from-scratch components, and full dietary transparency.

Old-World Standards

Quality Ingredients, No Shortcuts

Polish cooking has never relied on complicated ingredients—it relies on doing simple ingredients right. Wanda uses good flour, real butter, fresh produce in season, and time. Most ingredients are organic, sourced with the same care that goes into every dish. Several core components are made entirely from scratch rather than bought pre-made.

Made fully in-house: pierogi dough, sourdough starter and bread, noodles for rosół, cabbage roll filling, and fruit fillings for kołaczki and pączki.

Sliced sourdough bread showing an open, airy crumb Handmade Polish pierogi dumplings Bigos hunter's stew in a cast iron skillet Kołaczki Polish jam cookies Gołąbki stuffed cabbage rolls Babka Polish sweet bread
Throughout the Year

Seasonal Ingredients

Spring

Fresh dill, young cabbage, radishes, and the first cucumbers for mizeria.

Summer

Berries for kołaczki and pączki fillings; tomatoes and fresh herbs.

Fall

Mushrooms, cabbage for bigos and sauerkraut, and apples for baking.

Winter

Root vegetables, beets for barszcz, and heartier stews like bigos and gołąbki.

Per-Dish Breakdown

Ingredients, Diet & Allergen Guide

Key ingredients, dietary notes, and suggested pairings for our most popular dishes.

Pierogi (Polish Dumplings)

Gluten Dairy

Key ingredients: flour, eggs, potato, farmer's cheese, sauerkraut, mushroom, onion, ground meat (varies by filling).

Dietary: Potato & Onion, Cheese, and Sauerkraut & Mushroom fillings are vegetarian. Meat filling is not.

Pairing: Sour cream, caramelized onions, or a side of mizeria.

Sourdough Bread

Vegetarian Gluten

Key ingredients: flour, water, naturally cultivated sourdough starter, salt.

Dietary: Vegetarian and dairy-free.

Pairing: Rosół, bigos, or simply good butter.

Bigos (Hunter's Stew)

Meat

Key ingredients: sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, kielbasa, pork, dried mushrooms, prunes, juniper berries.

Dietary: Contains meat; not suitable for vegetarians.

Pairing: Crusty sourdough bread and a glass of dry red wine.

Gołąbki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

Meat Vegetarian Option

Key ingredients: cabbage leaves, rice, ground meat (or mushroom for vegetarian), onion, tomato sauce.

Dietary: Vegetarian version available with mushroom and rice filling—ask when ordering.

Pairing: Mashed potatoes or a slice of bread to soak up the sauce.

Kołaczki (Polish Jam Cookies)

Vegetarian Gluten Dairy

Key ingredients: flour, cream cheese, butter, fruit preserves (strawberry, blueberry, apricot, raspberry).

Dietary: Vegetarian.

Pairing: Coffee or tea, especially around the holidays.

Barszcz (Beet Soup)

Vegetarian Option

Key ingredients: beets, vegetable or meat broth, garlic, marjoram; often served with mushroom-filled dumplings (uszka).

Dietary: Can be made with vegetable broth on request—ask when ordering.

Pairing: A small dumpling (uszko) floated in the bowl, or alongside Wigilia dishes.

Rosół (Chicken Noodle Soup)

Meat Gluten

Key ingredients: chicken, root vegetables, fresh herbs, homemade egg noodles.

Dietary: Contains meat and gluten (noodles).

Pairing: Traditionally the first course at Sunday dinners and celebrations.

Pączki (Polish Doughnuts)

Vegetarian Gluten Dairy

Key ingredients: enriched yeast dough, fruit preserves, powdered sugar.

Dietary: Vegetarian.

Pairing: Traditionally enjoyed on Fat Thursday, the last big indulgence before Lent.

Naleśniki (Polish Crepes)

Vegetarian Gluten Dairy

Key ingredients: flour, eggs, milk; filled with sweet cheese, fruit, or savory mushroom.

Dietary: Vegetarian.

Pairing: Sour cream for savory fillings, or fruit preserves for sweet.

Mizeria (Cucumber Salad)

Vegetarian Dairy

Key ingredients: cucumber, sour cream, fresh dill, a touch of vinegar.

Dietary: Vegetarian, gluten-free.

Pairing: A cool side for pierogi or rich, savory mains.

Homemade Noodles (Kluski)

Vegetarian Gluten

Key ingredients: flour, eggs, water.

Dietary: Vegetarian.

Pairing: Rosół, or buttered on their own as a simple side.

Babka (Polish Sweet Bread)

Vegetarian Gluten Dairy

Key ingredients: enriched yeast dough, eggs, butter, citrus zest.

Dietary: Vegetarian.

Pairing: A holiday breakfast table staple, especially at Easter.

Blueberry Muffins

Vegetarian Gluten Dairy

Key ingredients: flour, butter, fresh blueberries, eggs, lemon zest.

Dietary: Vegetarian.

Pairing: Morning coffee, or alongside a brunch spread.

Have an Allergy or Dietary Question We Didn't Cover?

Reach out before ordering and Wanda will work with you directly.

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