Pierogi, vareniki, varenyky: the same comforting dumpling
In the US, pierogi (often written pierogies) is the word most people use for the half-moon filled dumplings of Eastern Europe. Pierogi is the Polish name. In Ukraine the same dumpling is called varenyky, usually spelled vareniki in English.
Soft dough, a generous filling, an edge pinched shut by hand, boiled and served with butter, sour cream or fried onions. When you order vareniki from Varenigo, you're ordering Ukrainian pierogi. For the full story, see pierogi vs vareniki vs pelmeni.
Made by hand, not by machine
Every batch is made by Oksana Bondar, chef and founder of Olesya's Kitchen, Indiana's only Ukrainian restaurant, which has served Columbus since 2018.
The dough is rolled out and every pierogi is filled and sealed by hand in small batches, then frozen so it keeps its texture. That's the difference you taste: a tender dough with a little chew, and a filling that tastes like home cooking rather than a factory line.
Pierogi flavors on the menu now
Each pack holds 20 vareniki. This is the live menu:
- Potato & pork: Mashed potato with seasoned pork
- Potato & mushroom: Mashed potato with sauteed mushrooms
- Potato & onion: Classic mashed potato with golden onion
How to cook frozen pierogi
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pierogi straight from the freezer. No thawing: thawed dough turns sticky.
- Stir gently so they don't stick to the bottom, and cook until they float and the dough is tender, just a few minutes.
- Drain and toss with butter. For crispy edges, pan-fry the boiled pierogi in butter with sliced onions for a couple of minutes per side.
- Serve with sour cream, fried onions or fresh dill.
Looking for the best pierogi in Indiana?
Best is personal, but here's what we think makes a great pierogi: dough thin enough to be tender and strong enough to hold, a filling that's properly seasoned, and no months in a supermarket freezer aisle. We make ours in small batches in Columbus and deliver them from our kitchen to your freezer.
A hearty plate of handmade pierogi is classic Midwest comfort food, and one of the easiest good dinners to keep in the freezer.
How to order pierogi delivery
Varenigo delivers in Columbus, Indiana today, and we're expanding to more of the state. Enter your ZIP when you order and we'll tell you whether we reach you. If we don't yet, we'll let you know the moment we do.
Try a single box, or subscribe to a plan that delivers every two weeks and costs less per pack. You can mix vareniki and pelmeni in the same order.
A one-time box is 3 packs of any flavors you like for $39.99, plus your area's delivery fee. No subscription, nothing to cancel.
Delivery days and fees are on the dumpling delivery page.
Questions
Are vareniki the same as pierogi?
Essentially, yes. Vareniki (varenyky) is the Ukrainian name for the half-moon filled dumpling that most Americans call pierogi. Pierogi is the Polish name for the same kind of dumpling.
Do you deliver pierogi outside Columbus, Indiana?
Not yet. We deliver in Columbus, Indiana today and are expanding to the surrounding area. Enter your ZIP when you order to check, and we'll let you know when we reach you.
Do I need to thaw frozen pierogi before cooking?
No. Cook them straight from frozen in boiling salted water. Thawing makes the dough sticky.
How many pierogi are in a pack?
Each pack holds 20 vareniki (Ukrainian pierogi).