If you love French crepes, Swedish pancakes, or any kind of thin, golden, filled pancake, you are going to fall head over heels for bliny. These delicate Eastern European pancakes have been a cornerstone of Slavic cuisine for centuries — enjoyed at celebrations, family gatherings, and everyday meals alike. Yet despite their long history, bliny remain a relatively undiscovered treasure in London’s food scene. This guide explains everything you need to know about bliny: what they are, how they are made, what fillings are available, and why they deserve a place on every food lover’s must-try list.
What Exactly Are Bliny?
Bliny Definition
Bliny (sometimes spelled “blini” in English) are thin, round pancakes made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt. They are cooked one at a time on a hot griddle or frying pan until golden on each side, then filled with savoury or sweet ingredients and folded or rolled into a neat parcel. The name “bliny” is the plural form — a single pancake is called a “blin.”
Bliny vs Crepes — What Is the Difference?
The comparison to French crepes is inevitable, and it is a fair one. Both bliny and crepes are thin pancakes that can be filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. The differences are subtle but meaningful. Bliny batter sometimes includes yeast, which gives the pancakes a slightly spongy, airy texture compared to the paper-thin French crepe. Eastern European bliny also tend to be slightly thicker and more substantial, making them better suited to holding generous fillings without tearing. The fillings themselves differ too — while French crepes might feature Nutella or ham and cheese, bliny lean towards traditional Eastern European ingredients like cottage cheese, mushrooms, and feta.
The Cultural Significance of Bliny
In Eastern European culture, bliny hold a special place. They are traditionally associated with Maslenitsa, the week-long festival celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring. During Maslenitsa, bliny are eaten in enormous quantities — their round, golden shape symbolises the sun. But bliny are not just for festivals. They are an everyday staple that appears at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and as a snack. In many Eastern European households, a stack of freshly made bliny is as common as a loaf of bread.
How Are Bliny Made?
The Batter
Traditional bliny batter is simple: flour (wheat or sometimes buckwheat), eggs, milk or water, a pinch of salt, and sometimes a small amount of sugar. Some recipes include yeast for a lighter, fluffier result, while others keep it unleavened for a thinner, crepe-like texture. The batter needs to rest before cooking to allow the flour to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax, which results in smoother, more tender pancakes.
The Cooking Process
Each blin is cooked individually on a hot, lightly greased pan. A ladleful of batter is swirled across the pan surface, cooked until the edges lift and the bottom is golden, then flipped for a brief second side. The whole process takes about a minute per pancake. It requires skill to achieve an even, thin result — which is why at Varenik&Pelmen, our team makes them fresh in large batches to ensure consistency and quality.
Bliny Fillings at Varenik&Pelmen
Spinach and Feta Bliny — Savoury Mediterranean Meets Eastern Europe
Our spinach and feta bliny are a beautiful fusion of Eastern European technique and Mediterranean flavours. Fresh spinach is combined with tangy, crumbly feta cheese and wrapped in a golden blin. The earthy spinach and salty feta complement each other beautifully, creating a savoury filling that is satisfying without being heavy. This is one of our most popular choices among customers who enjoy bold, flavourful food.
Mushrooms and Onion Bliny — Deep, Earthy Comfort
The mushroom and onion bliny are the definition of Eastern European comfort food. A fragrant mix of sauteed button and chestnut mushrooms with slowly caramelised onions creates a filling with incredible depth of flavour — rich umami from the mushrooms and natural sweetness from the onions. These bliny are warming, satisfying, and perfect for cooler days at the market.
Cottage Cheese Bliny — The Timeless Classic
Cottage cheese bliny are perhaps the most traditional filling in Eastern European pancake culture. Lightly sweetened fresh cottage cheese is spooned onto a warm blin and folded into a neat parcel. The result is gentle, creamy, and wonderfully comforting. This is the filling that generations of Eastern European children have grown up eating — simple, honest, and endlessly delicious. It works equally well as a meal or a sweet snack.
Jam Bliny — Pure Sweet Joy
Jam bliny are the simplest and most joyful option on our menu. A thin golden blin is spread with rich fruit jam and folded into a neat parcel — sweet, fruity, and irresistibly easy to eat. We rotate our jam flavours based on seasonal availability, using strawberry, raspberry, mixed berry, and other fruit preserves. Jam bliny are a favourite with children but equally popular with adults who appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
Bliny Nutritional Information
How Many Calories Are in Bliny?
The calorie content of bliny varies by filling. A single filled blin typically contains between 150 and 250 calories depending on the ingredients. Mushroom and onion bliny tend to be on the lower end, while cottage cheese and feta fillings are slightly higher. At Varenik&Pelmen, all bliny are priced at £5 per 100g as part of our self-service menu.
Are Bliny Healthy?
Bliny are made from simple, natural ingredients. The pancake itself is a basic batter of flour, eggs, and milk. The fillings use fresh vegetables, real cheese, or fruit preserves — no artificial additives or processed ingredients. While not a low-calorie food, bliny are wholesome, filling, and made with care.
Bliny Dietary Information
Are Bliny Vegetarian?
Yes — all four of our bliny fillings at Varenik&Pelmen are vegetarian. None contain meat.
Are Bliny Vegan?
The mushroom and onion filling is plant-based, but the blin batter may contain eggs and dairy. Please ask our team about specific ingredients if you follow a strict vegan diet.
Are Bliny Gluten-Free?
No — bliny are made from wheat flour and contain gluten. Visit our allergens page for full details.
How to Eat Bliny — Serving Suggestions
Traditional Toppings
In Eastern European tradition, bliny are served with sour cream as the default topping. This works beautifully with both savoury and semi-sweet fillings. Other traditional accompaniments include honey, jam, fresh berries, butter, and condensed milk for sweet bliny, or sour cream, herbs, and garlic sauce for savoury ones.
Creative Modern Pairings
In London’s food scene, bliny are being paired with more adventurous toppings — from smoked salmon and creme fraiche to chilli honey and whipped ricotta. At Varenik&Pelmen, we keep things authentic but always encourage customers to experiment with our topping selection.
Try Bliny at Varenik&Pelmen in London
Our bliny menu offers four delicious fillings, all freshly made and priced at £5 per 100g. Combine them with our pelmeni, vareniki, and syrniky for the ultimate Eastern European feast. Find us at London food markets or follow @eatpelmeni for locations. Take what you want, pay for what you take.