One of the first things a foreign cook living in Bulgaria needs to have is a Bulgarian spice list for reference when grocery shopping. Depending on where you come from, your favorite cooking spices might be very different from the ones typically found in Bulgarian cuisine. As a result, not every store will have what you are looking for, and, if they do, it might be in a different place on the shelf than where you are used to finding it.
Knowing the Bulgarian language name for a thing can also be helpful because Bulgarians are almost always ready to jump in when you are having trouble making yourself understood. This English-Bulgarian spice list should help you explain to friendly store clerks just what you are looking for. Even when you can’t form full sentences, individual words sometimes do the trick.
The Essential English-Bulgarian Spice List
Here is an easy to use English-Bulgarian spice list describing 50 of the most common cooking spices used around the world. The format is English language first, followed by Bulgarian and then a phonetic key. Bulgarian markets and grocery stores will almost certainly have those appearing in Bulgarian cuisine, but some of the others might be difficult to find. Ask the locals to point you in the direction of larger stores and specialty shops more likely to have a larger selection to choose from.
Bookmark this page or print out a copy to keep in your pocket as a cheat sheet for when you find yourself shopping for spices in Bulgaria.
| English Spice Name | Bulgarian Spice Name | Bulgarian Pronunciation |
| Allspice | Бахар | Bakhar |
| Anise | Анасон | Anason |
| Basil | Босилек | Boseelek |
| Bay Leaf | Дафинов лист | Dafeenov leest |
| Black Pepper | Черен пипер | Cheren Peeper |
| Caraway | Ким | Keem |
| Cardamom | Кардамон | Kardamon |
| Cayenne Pepper | Лют червен пипер | Lyut cherven peeper |
| Celery Seed | Семена от целина | Semena ot Tseleena |
| Chile Pepper | Чили пипер | Cheelee Peeper |
| Chile Powder | Чили на прах | Cheelee na Prakh |
| Chinese Parsley | Китайски магданоз | Кeeтаyskee magdanoz |
| Chives | Див лук | Deev Luk |
| Cilantro | Кориандър | Koreeandar |
| Cinnamon | Канела | Kanela |
| Cloves | Карамфил | Karamfeel |
| Coriander | Кориандър | Koreeandar |
| Cumin | Кимион | Keemeeon |
| Curry Powder | Къри на прах | Kuree na Prakh |
| Dill | Копър | Kopur |
| Fennel | Резене | Pezene |
| Fenugreek | Сминдух | Smeendukh |
| Five Spice Powder | Пет подправки на прах | Pet Podpravkee |
| Garlic | Чесън | Chesan |
| Ginger | Джинджифил | Dzheendzheerfeel |
| Herbs de Provence | Провансалски билки | Provansalskee bilkee |
| Italian Seasoning | Италианска подправка | Eetaleeanska podpravka |
| Mace | Мейс | Meiys |
| Marjoram | Майорана | Maiyorana |
| Mint (Peppermint) | Мента (мента) | Menta (menta) |
| Mint (Spearmint) | Мента (джоджен) | Menta (dzhodzhen) |
| Mustard | Горчица | Gorcheetsa |
| Nutmeg | Индийско орехче | Indeesko orekhche |
| Oregano | Риган | Reegan |
| Paprika | Червен пипер | Cherven Peeper |
| Parsley | Магданоз | Magdanoz |
| Peppecorns | Зърна черен пипер | Zurna cheren peeper |
| Poppy Seed | Маково семе | Makovo seme |
| Rosemary | Розмарин | Rozmareen |
| Saffron | Шафран | Shafron |
| Sage | Градински чай | Gradeenskee Chaiy |
| Salt | Сол | Sol |
| Savory | Чубрица | Chubreetsa |
| Sesame | Сусам | Susam |
| Star Anise | Звездовиден анасон | Zvezdoveeden anason |
| Szechuan Pepper | Съчуански пипер | Sаchuanskee peeper |
| Tarragon | Естрагон | Estragon |
| Thyme | Мащерка | Mashterka |
| Turmeric | Куркума | Kurkuma |
| Vanilla | Ванилия | Vaneeleeya |
How to Use the English-Bulgarian Spice List for Conversational Practice
If you want to try asking in Bulgarian, practice the sentences copied below. Fill in the blank with the Bulgarian name of the spice you are looking for:
Извинете ме. Търся конкретна подправка за готвене. Мисля, че се казва ________. Знаете ли къде мога да го намеря?
(Excuse me. I’m looking for a particular cooking spice. I think it is called ________. Do you know where I can find it?)
It’s as easy as that! We hope this English-Bulgarian spice list will makes shopping for spices in Bulgaria just a little bit easier for everyone.
