Experience Authentic Polish Home-cooked Dishes in Tokyo
Karina Jancewicz
Originally from Krakow, Poland, she has begun hosting cooking classes and organizing various culinary events at her home in Japan, where Polish restaurants are rare, to promote traditional Polish home-cooked dishes, primarily in Tokyo.
Karina JancewiczThe main characteristic of Polish cuisine is the frequent use of herbs, yogurt, and milk. The flavors of the dishes are diverse, ranging from strong spice influences to sweetness and sourness, offering a wide variety of tastes to enjoy. Polish people often eat soups and stews. For example, there are soups made with chicken, vegetables, tomatoes, and even cold fruits. Additionally, Polish dumplings, known as pierogi, are so popular that they are consumed 2-3 times a week. The flavors of pierogi are also very varied, featuring combinations from the most popular cottage cheese and potatoes to those filled with meat, mushrooms, and sour cream, as well as sweet varieties made with fruits like strawberries and raspberries.
The first is a restaurant in Nagatacho called “Ani Mru Mru,” where you can savor traditional Polish dishes made by a Polish chef. The restaurant offers a variety of regional specialties from Poland, using carefully selected ingredients that allow you to fully appreciate each dish.
https://www.animrumru.tokyo/home-pl
The second location is a shop in Chofu called “ポンチキヤ Kikunodai” that specializes in Pączki (Polish-style doughnuts). They offer classic flavors such as rose jam, chocolate, and raspberry jam, and they also sell Polish goods.
https://poland.saleshop.jp/about
What inspired you to start offering Polish home cooking workshops?It all began in 2014 when I organized a workshop to prepare various Polish home-cooked dishes. For about five years, I conducted workshops exclusively at my home. Later, it quickly gained popularity when I presented Polish cuisine at “Taste the World” (a café where patrons can savor dishes from different countries each month). This success led to regular events where participants could cook Polish dishes together. Currently, I host events in a restaurant format, where attendees can enjoy finished Polish dishes, catering to those who want to experience Polish cuisine.
For more details about the events, please visit her Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/atelier_kariny_polska/
What does "hospitality" mean to you?For me, hospitality involves inviting friends to my home and serving them a meal. In Poland, it's common to invite friends over and cook for them, making dining at a restaurant rare except for special occasions. Polish people enjoy having guests at home and are open to inviting even strangers without hesitation, often bringing food from their own homes to share. Additionally, in Poland, it's a tradition to leave an empty seat on Christmas Eve for unexpected visitors. Even if they are complete strangers, people are warm and invite them to share the meal, which is a beautiful Polish tradition.
Karina is creative not only in cooking but also in art.These drawings were created by Karina, who excels not only in cooking but also in her artistic skills. She received an award for the Sekaido Art Competition and Japan News. Primarily, she creates anime art and collages, and her exhibitions are held from time to time. Please enjoy the authentic Polish dishes and artwork that showcase Karina's rich creativity.
