Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Varenik&Pelmen? +

  Varenik&Pelmen is a London street food business specialising in authentic Eastern European dumplings — pelmeni, vareniki, bliny and syrniky — served fresh at food markets across London with a self-service, pay-by-weight concept.

• What does “Take what you want, pay for what you take” mean? +

  You pick exactly the dumplings, pancakes and toppings you want from our display, add them to your plate, and pay based on weight. There are no fixed portions or set meals — you're fully in control of your order.

• Where are you located? +

  We trade at London food markets on a schedule that changes weekly. Follow @eatpelmeni on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook for our latest locations, or check our Find Us page.

• What are your opening hours? +

  Our hours follow the food markets where we trade, typically late morning through the afternoon. Exact times vary by location and day — check our social media or the market's own listing.

• What are pelmeni? +

  Pelmeni are traditional Eastern European meat dumplings made with thin dough and a flavourful filling of seasoned meat, boiled and served with sour cream, butter or vinegar.

• What are vareniki? +

  Vareniki are Eastern European dumplings typically filled with non-meat fillings like potato, cabbage, mushroom, cheese, or sweet fruits like cherry and strawberry — essentially Ukraine's version of Polish pierogi.

• What are bliny? +

  Bliny (also spelled blini) are thin Eastern European pancakes similar to French crêpes, served with savoury or sweet fillings including spinach and feta, mushroom and onion, cottage cheese, or jam.

• What are syrniky? +

  Syrniky (also spelled syrniki) are golden pan-fried cottage cheese pancakes — a beloved Eastern European breakfast and snack, served with sour cream, jam, or honey.

• Are your dumplings handmade? +

  Yes. Every pelmeni and vareniki is hand-shaped using traditional techniques — we take pride in the quality and consistency of every dumpling we serve.

• Do you have vegetarian options? +

  Yes — all our vareniki, bliny and syrniky are vegetarian. Vareniki come in potato, cabbage, cheese and spinach, mushroom, cherry and strawberry fillings; bliny include spinach and feta, cottage cheese and jam.

• Do you have vegan options? +

  Some items can be prepared vegan-friendly, including several vareniki fillings. Availability varies by market, so ask our staff on the day for current vegan options.

• Are your dumplings Halal? +

  Our turkey and lamb & beef pelmeni are Halal-friendly options. Please ask staff for details, as our sourcing may change.

• What about allergens? +

  Our products contain gluten (wheat flour dough). Individual fillings may contain dairy or eggs — check each product page for details or ask our staff before ordering.

• Is your food gluten-free? +

  No — our dumplings, bliny and syrniky all contain wheat flour, so they're not suitable for coeliac disease or severe gluten intolerance. Speak to our staff if you have a mild sensitivity.

• What payment methods do you accept? +

  We accept cash, debit cards, credit cards, and contactless payments including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Can I order online? +

  Not yet — but frozen pelmeni and vareniki packs are available at our market stalls now, and full online ordering is coming soon. Check our Order Online page for updates.

• Do you offer delivery? +

  Delivery isn't available yet but is planned as part of our online ordering launch. Follow our social media or check the Order Online page for updates.

• Can I buy frozen dumplings? +

  Yes — we sell frozen pelmeni and vareniki packs (200g, £9) at our market stall, ready to boil from frozen in 8–10 minutes.

• How do I cook frozen dumplings? +

  Bring salted water to a boil, add frozen dumplings directly without thawing, and cook 8–10 minutes until they float. Drain and serve with sour cream or butter.

• How does pay-by-weight work? +

  Fill your bowl from our self-service counter, we weigh it, and you pay £5 per 100g. Simple and fair.

• How much does an average bowl cost? +

  Most customers spend £10-12 for a generous bowl of around 200g.

• Do you cater events? +

  Absolutely! We cater corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, festivals and private gatherings with our interactive self-service dumpling bar. Visit our Catering page or contact us for a custom quote.

• Can I hire you for a private event? +

  Yes, we're available for private hire — from an intimate dinner party to a large corporate event, we tailor our offering to your needs and budget.

• Are you looking for franchise partners? +

  Yes! We're actively expanding and welcome enquiries from franchise partners who share our passion for Eastern European food. Visit our Franchise page for details.

• Do you supply to restaurants or shops? +

  We're open to wholesale and supply partnerships — contact us to discuss trade pricing, minimum orders and delivery arrangements.

• Do you have a loyalty programme? +

  Yes! We reward regular customers with points every visit. Visit our Loyalty page for details on how to join.