Obwarzanek krakowski

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Obwarzanek krakowski is a traditional, baked pastry product shaped like a ring and produced in the Malopolskie Province, districts of Kraków and Wieliczka in Poland. Obwarzanek whose name comes from the Polish word for 'boiled', is not just any regular bagel. It is bigger than the standard bagels and is woven from two strands of dough instead of just one. Before being baked, it is boiled and can be additionally sprinkled with poppy or sesame seeds, herbs, spices, cheese, salt or onions. It has a sweetish taste and a dense, chewy texture. On the exterior, it is light or dark golden to light brown, with a glossy shade. Unlike other bagels, it is not cut in half or toasted to make sandwiches but is instead regularly eaten on its own. They are so popular that they are sold on every other street corner in Kraków, and have become an unofficial symbol of the city.