The short answer
- Pierogi and vareniki are the same kind of dumpling: a half-moon of soft dough around a filling. Pierogi is the Polish name; vareniki (varenyky) is the Ukrainian one.
- Pelmeni are a different dumpling: smaller and rounder, with a thinner dough and a raw meat filling.
Side by side
| Pierogi | Vareniki | Pelmeni | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Poland | Ukraine | Siberia and the Urals, now eaten across the region |
| Shape | Large half-moon | Large half-moon | Small and round, ends pinched together |
| Dough | Soft | Soft | Thin and firm |
| Typical fillings | Potato and cheese, sauerkraut, meat, fruit | Potato, farmer's cheese, cabbage, mushrooms, cherries | Raw minced meat, often beef and pork |
| Served with | Butter, fried onions, sour cream | Sour cream, butter, fried onions | Butter, sour cream, vinegar, or in broth |
Pierogi
Pierogi are Poland's best-known dumpling: half-moons of soft dough filled with anything from potato and cheese to sauerkraut, meat or fruit, boiled and often pan-fried afterwards.
In the US, especially around the Great Lakes and across the Midwest, pierogi (or pierogies) became the everyday word for every half-moon dumpling, thanks to generations of Polish and Ukrainian families. So if you're searching for pierogi, Ukrainian vareniki are exactly what you're after.
Vareniki (varenyky)
Vareniki are Ukraine's version, and the name comes from the Ukrainian word for boiling. They're made savory, with potato, farmer's cheese, cabbage or mushrooms, and sweet, with cherries and a spoonful of sugar. They're served with sour cream, melted butter or crispy fried onions.
Varenigo's vareniki are handmade in Columbus, Indiana. See the flavors on our handmade pierogi page.
Pelmeni
Pelmeni come from Siberia and the Urals. They're small and round, with a thin dough and a raw meat filling that cooks inside the dumpling. They're the hearty, protein-heavy one of the three, often eaten in broth or with vinegar and black pepper.
Ours are filled with seasoned meat. See the current flavors on our pelmeni page.
Which should you order?
- For a classic, cozy plate: vareniki with butter and fried onions.
- For a hearty, meat-heavy dinner: pelmeni, in broth or with sour cream.
- Can't decide? A one-time box takes any mix of 3 packs, so you can try both.
We deliver in Columbus, Indiana. See dumpling delivery for delivery days and fees.
Questions
Are pierogi and vareniki the same thing?
They're the same kind of dumpling with different names. Pierogi is the Polish name and vareniki (varenyky) is the Ukrainian name for half-moon dumplings of soft dough around a filling.
Are pelmeni a kind of pierogi?
Not really. Pelmeni are smaller and rounder, with a thinner dough and a raw meat filling, while pierogi and vareniki are larger half-moons with fillings like potato, cheese or fruit.
How do you cook frozen pierogi, vareniki and pelmeni?
All three go straight from the freezer into boiling salted water, no thawing. Cook until they float and the dough is tender. Pelmeni are ready in under ten minutes.