Silesia is a region that has changed hands countless times, moving between Hungary, Czechia, Poland and Germany and back over the centuries. As a result, it has a cuisine and culture that spans borders, and many dishes that can’t be found anywhere else in Poland. If you’re visiting, these are the top five foods you shouldn’t miss!

A cross between mochi and gnocchi, these adorably dimpled dumplings are one of Silesia’s most famous foods. You’ll find them served on the side of Silesian heaven (more on that below!) and as a side dish on lots of traditional menus. They’re made by mixing potatoes with potato starch, which gives them a bouncy texture quite similar to mochi. However, unlike mochi, they’re traditionally savoury. If you fancy trying them yourself, check out Polish chef Kuba Winkowski’s recipe below.

Silesian roulade consists of thinly sliced beef wrapped around gherkins, onion, bacon and sausage, with plenty of mustard for seasoning. These neat little parcels are typically served with Silesian dumplings, and slightly sweet braised red cabbage. If you’ve heard of beef roulade before, you probably know the German version – Rinderrouladen – which are also served with red cabbage and potato dumplings. The Silesian version is well worth trying, especially over winter when you want a warming meal.

Like Silesian roulade, Silesian heaven is popular in Poland and Germany alike. Known as Schlesisches Himmelreich in Germany, this is a surprisingly sweet main dish made by simmering pork with a generous amount of dried fruit. The ingredients are quite flexible – the pork can be fresh, smoked or cured, and any combination of dried apples, apricots and prunes works well. The combination of fatty pork and sweet fruit was designed to give Silesians plenty of energy for working the land.

What’s this? A French dish? Although technically French, Poland has adopted this dish as if it were their own. You can find beef tartare served in restaurants across Poland and Silesia, high end and low end. Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that the combination of beef, pickles and eggs has taken off in Poland, but its popularity and ubiquity often catches visitors off-guard. If you see it on a menu, we’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

Finally, to finish with something sweet – makówki. If you visit Silesia at Christmas, this ground poppy seed dessert is a must-try. Typically enjoyed on Christmas Eve, this sweet dessert is made by layering milk-soaked bread with a ground poppy seed and dried fruit paste. It’s simple and old fashioned in the way Christmas food should be, and a real taste of old Silesia.