Zeamă

What it really is

Moldovan chicken soup with vegetables and sour broth, often served with noodles.

Zeamă is a Moldovan chicken soup with vegetables and a sour broth, often served with noodles. The tartness may come from fermented bran liquid known as borș or another souring ingredient, depending on the cook. Vegetables, herbs and noodle use vary.

Chicken is simmered with vegetables to make a flavorful broth. Common additions include carrot, onion and other seasonal vegetables; noodles may be cooked in the soup or added separately. A souring ingredient gives zeamă its characteristic bright taste and distinguishes it from a mild chicken broth. Some versions finish with herbs, which add freshness. The balance of acidity and the exact vegetables are not standardized.

Zeamă is a soup course or a complete light meal, served hot. Its ingredients reflect regional cooking and household practice. The term is also used in neighboring culinary traditions, this describes a Moldovan soup style shared with neighboring culinary traditions. A restaurant may vary the souring agent, noodle type or chicken cut; diners should ask about these details when needed.

How it's served

Serve hot in a bowl, with chicken, vegetables and broth together. State whether noodles are included and offer any extra herbs separately.

How to write it on the menu

Describe zeamă as Moldovan sour chicken soup and name its souring ingredient when known. Confirm noodles, stock, herbs and shared cooking equipment before making allergen or dietary claims.