Ciorba Radauteana
When it comes to Eastern European cuisine, soup often takes center stage at any meal. Among Romania's most distinctive and renowned soups is Ciorba Radauteana (Chorba Radauti-ana), a creamy chicken soup with a rich flavor that has garnered global recognition. It is not merely a favorite among Romanians but was also ranked as the 4th best soup out of 26 countries worldwide in 2023 by Taste Atlas.
What is Ciorba Radauteana?
Ciorba Radauteana is a traditional Romanian soup brimming with unique flavors. It is made from tender chicken meat, slowly simmered with a variety of vegetables such as onions, sweet red peppers, celery, and carrots. It's seasoned with lemon juice, garlic, and fresh parsley, and crucially, sour cream is added as a key ingredient to enhance its richness, creaminess, and overall well-balanced flavor.
Originating in Radauti: A Chef's Creative Story
The origins of Ciorba Radauteana trace back to the town of Radauti, a small town located in the picturesque historical region of Bukovina in northern Romania. The story goes that in the 1970s, Cornelia Dumitrescu, a local chef in the town, was attempting to create a new soup recipe with a balanced flavor that her family would enjoy. She experimented with making a soup from turkey and offered it to her family. The result was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone loving its taste. Encouraged by this success, she introduced the soup to the restaurant where she worked. Eventually, this soup was added to the restaurant's menu, named Ciorba Radauteana in honor of its town of origin.
From Small Town to National Prominence: A Soup Beyond Just Taste
Soon after its introduction, Ciorba Radauteana rapidly gained widespread popularity. From the small town of Radauti, the soup's fame began to spread to various cities across Romania. People from outside the region flocked to the restaurant to taste this delicious soup for themselves. But it wasn't just its deliciousness that made it popular; many Romanians also believed this soup had properties as a "hangover cure" and was also used as a "remedy for cold symptoms." These perceived qualities further cemented the soup's demand and its place in Romanian daily life.
The Heart of Ciorba Radauteana's Preparation
The essence of Ciorba Radauteana lies in its meticulous broth preparation. Chicken is slowly simmered in water over low to medium heat with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions to create a naturally sweet base. Certain spices, such as bay leaves and black pepper, are added to enhance the flavor profile. Once the chicken is cooked through, it is removed from the broth, shredded, and set aside. Then, sour cream and egg yolks are gradually whisked into the broth, stirring gently to add richness and a smooth, mellow taste. Finally, the shredded chicken is returned to the broth along with freshly chopped parsley, simmered for a short while to allow all flavors to meld, and then served hot.
Enduring Popularity and Modern Adaptations
Over the years, Ciorba Radauteana has continued to enjoy sustained popularity both within Romania and internationally. Although Chef Cornelia Dumitrescu's original recipe has never been officially published, modern chefs continuously strive to develop recipes that come as close as possible to the authentic taste. And because turkey, the original main ingredient, became more expensive, today the recipe is often adapted to use regular chicken instead. This makes the soup a more affordable and accessible option for everyone. If you're looking to try making Ciorba Radauteana or explore ingredients for other Eastern European dishes, Rimping Supermarket offers a comprehensive selection of high-quality ingredients for your culinary endeavors.
