Kalinka - Russian Food Store — Attraction in San Jose

TLDR: Lots of goodies from Eater European cuisine!Plenty of good vegetarian options and couple of vegan options, including Olivier salad with no meat and eggs!!! Check this place out, staff is very friendly, don’t feel shy to ask questions if you feel overwhelmed - explore and experiment! Of course, you can get fresh fruits & vegetables here, fresh bread, juices etc.

Fermented cabbage and Vinegret salad are vegan (it doesn’t have vinaigrette in it, dressing is just oil but it usually has pickles and sauerkraut for acidity), as well as chocolate waffle “candies” called GULLIVER, for sushki and pryaniki check ingredient list. I also found European vegetable spice - like dried vegetable bullion for very good price! If you’re a fan of the sunflower seeds they have a lot. Try KVAS - some say it’s like root beer but personally I think kvas is way more delicious than root bear just as olivie salad than potato salad 🤣

Their pirozhki are delicious and full with filling but not vegan, they said there is milk in the dough. They also have samsa with pumpkin. Lots of vegetarian pierogi:pelmeni in the freezes (with cherries, potato, mushrooms, cheese etc). Also where the prepped food is there are eggplant rolls that is a delicious dish but I haven’t tried from them yet.

If you’re vegetarian and are new to Eastern European stuff, maybe having a party with Eastern European guests and want to surprise them, or just want to try and treat yourself I suggest to try String cheese smoked version, syrok (like a cheese-cream dessert bar in floor-fridges at the entrance), lots of baked goods they carry.

If you’re a pescatarian try the signature herring salad, or lots of packed herrings and other smoked/dried fish food (in the fridges in the corner of the store).

Like most of Eastern European grocery stores they offer fresh breads (duh), canned/dried mushrooms, pickled and other preserved delicious spreads and vegetables, buckwheat, halva, baklava, cakes, herbs, teas, airan, and even Kurt (fermented dairy product, a bit sour but some nations consume it with beer). Of course they have kolbasa / kielbasa and Italian mortadella — we call it doctor’s sausage - don’t ask me why, lol.

They sell veniki / special small tree branches with leaves that are used for banya /sauna (if you ever seen) and they give away boxes for moving for free - just ask! They have a variety of beers and of course Georgian, Armenian wines that are famous and delicious - get one to try!

P.S. they have our vinegar, the strong one, IYKYK (if you know you know)! Also, if you need a cake- choose Kiev cake, they will help you find it, it ones of a kind, light and crunchy...

Kalinka is the best Russian store in SF Bay Area. It cannot give lowest prices like large stores in San Francisco but they provide a top-level service. Groceries, pastry, beer and wine choice is great. I especially recommend every morning freshly made pirozhki with eggs. Recently I realized that one girl found a special way to cut sausages to emphasize its taste. Sounds weird but I caught myself buying more kinds of sausages recently. Hope she has a percent from sale :) She said that her name is Irinka. But true to say all store attendants are friendly and helpful. I'm a really lucky person to live...

Very cool that this Russian store exists just a drive from Silicone Valley.

PRO: Imported goods from Russia Russian Deli Russian baked good

CON: Long wait to get served Only one person able to help (but was slicing meat) Hard to find parking (only 2 dedicated spots in front)

SUMMARY: This specialty store is very cool! Lots of imported Russian goods. We waited for baked goods for 15 minutes (only one person working). Like other reviews said, it takes a long time, especially if you wait for deli. We also had more than one person in front of us so we left. Hope to try...