Pelmeni fillings are almost always meat — traditionally minced, lightly seasoned with onion and pepper, and sealed raw inside the dough so the juices stay trapped during boiling. At Varenik & Pelmen, our core fillings are Pork & Beef, Pork, Chicken, Turkey, and Lamb & Beef (halal), plus a Kids’ colourful pelmeni. Each has a distinct character. Here’s how to choose.
Classic pelmeni fillings
Pelmeni are meat dumplings. That’s their identity. Unlike vareniki — their Eastern European cousin — pelmeni don’t do vegetables or sweet fruit. They do one thing and they do it well: seasoned minced meat, enclosed in thin dough, boiled and served hot.
The tradition is old and the logic is simple. Meat is calorie-dense, satisfying, and flavourful. Minced meat can be stretched with a little seasoning into a filling that punches above its weight. And a well-made meat filling — cooked inside a sealed dumpling — retains its juices in a way that no other cooking method quite replicates.
All our fillings at Varenik & Pelmen follow the same structure: good quality meat, minced, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and onion. No breadcrumbs, no fillers, no heavy spice blends. The meat does the work.
Pork and beef (the classic)
Pork & Beef is the combination that most people mean when they say “pelmeni.” It’s the traditional blend — and for good reason.
Pork contributes fat. Without fat, a dumpling filling is dry and dense; with it, the filling stays moist and juicy through boiling. Pork fat also carries flavour beautifully, giving the whole filling a rounded richness.
Beef contributes depth. Minced beef has a more pronounced, slightly more complex flavour than pork — darker, more savoury. Combined with pork, you get something that’s richer than pure beef and more flavourful than pure pork.
The result is the dumpling most likely to make you understand why people have been eating these things for hundreds of years. Satisfying, balanced, deeply savoury. This is where to start if you’re new to pelmeni.
Best toppings: Sour cream and fried onions. The onion’s sweetness plays perfectly against the savoury blend. Add crispy bacon if you want to push the richness further.
Chicken pelmeni
Chicken pelmeni are the lighter option. Leaner than the pork-based blends, milder in flavour, and — when made well — genuinely delicious rather than just a concession to lighter eating.
The challenge with chicken as a pelmeni filling is fat. Chicken is naturally leaner than pork or beef, which means there’s less natural juice in the filling and more risk of dryness. Good technique and quality chicken make the difference.
The reward is a cleaner flavour profile. Where Pork & Beef is rich and assertive, Chicken lets the toppings do more of the work — which makes it a good choice if you want to experiment with the full range of what’s available, or if you’re eating a larger portion and don’t want to finish feeling heavy.
Chicken pelmeni are also a natural fit for anyone who doesn’t eat red meat.
Best toppings: Sautéed mushrooms and sour cream. The earthy depth of the mushrooms complements the mild chicken filling in a way that makes the whole bowl feel more substantial.
Lamb and beef — the halal option
Lamb & Beef is our halal filling, and it’s also the most distinctive flavour in the lineup.
Lamb has a character that doesn’t apologise for itself. It’s rich, slightly gamey, with a warmth and complexity that you don’t get from pork or chicken. Combined with beef — which grounds the lamb and adds structure — it produces a filling that’s bold, satisfying, and unlike anything in the Western European dumpling tradition.
If you’ve eaten lamb in Middle Eastern or Central Asian cooking, you’ll find the flavour profile familiar. If you haven’t, this is a worthwhile introduction: lamb in a dumpling is a different experience from lamb in a stew or a roast. The sealed dough concentrates the juices and intensifies the flavour.
Lamb & Beef pelmeni are our halal option. For current information on our halal sourcing and availability, check eatpelmeni.com/allergens or ask us directly before visiting.
Best toppings: Sour cream and fresh herbs. The herbs cut through the richness of the lamb and keep the bowl feeling bright. Fried onions are also excellent here.
Kids’ colourful pelmeni
We make pelmeni in coloured dough for younger diners — the same filling and technique, different colours achieved through natural additions to the dough (beet for red, spinach for green, turmeric for yellow).
The taste is the same as our standard pelmeni; the colour is the point. For children who might approach a bowl of beige dumplings with suspicion, a red or green one is a different proposition entirely.
These are a small-bowl option for kids. Adults have been known to order them too.
How to choose
Not sure which filling to go for? Here’s a quick guide:
First-timer, no dietary requirements — Pork & Beef. The classic, the most flavourful, the one to benchmark everything else against.
Lighter option — Chicken. Mild, clean, good for a larger portion.
Want something distinctive — Lamb & Beef. Bold and complex, the one that surprises people.
Halal diet — Lamb & Beef. Our halal pelmeni filling. Confirm current sourcing at eatpelmeni.com/allergens.
Don’t want to choose — Mix. Our self-serve model means you can have a few of each in the same bowl. Nobody has to commit.
At £5/100g with all toppings included, a satisfying mixed bowl of pelmeni costs around £10–12.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular pelmeni filling?
Pork & Beef is consistently the most popular filling — it’s the classic blend and the one that best represents the traditional flavour of pelmeni. Lamb & Beef tends to be the favourite among people who’ve had it before; it’s the one most likely to convert you from casual eater to regular.
Are there halal pelmeni?
Yes. Our Lamb & Beef pelmeni is our halal option. Halal availability depends on sourcing — always confirm directly with us or check eatpelmeni.com/allergens for the most current information before visiting.
What’s in classic pelmeni?
Classic pelmeni are filled with minced meat — traditionally a mixture of pork and beef — seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and onion. The filling goes in raw and cooks inside the sealed dough during boiling. No breadcrumbs, no heavy spicing, no pre-cooking: just quality meat and simple seasoning.
Are there chicken pelmeni?
Yes. Chicken is one of our core fillings. It’s the lightest option — lean, mild, and a good choice if you want something less rich than the pork-based blends or if you don’t eat red meat. Chicken pelmeni work particularly well with earthy toppings like sautéed mushrooms and sour cream.