Shchi

Shchi is a popular, traditional Russian soup made with sour cabbage, meat, mushrooms, flour, and seasonings. Originally, cabbage and meat such as beef, poultry, or pork were cooked separately, and smetana cream was added later as a garnish. The soup has been known since the 9th century, and over time, the ingredients have changed, so today the flour is not added to the dish, the spices are expanded with bay leaves and pepper, and meat is sometimes replaced by fish. Depending on the region, shchi may be called differently: if it's made with meat, it is called bogatye (rich), and if there is no meat, it is called pustye (empty) or bednye (poor). Shchi is traditionally served with a few slices of rye bread on the side.