People travel to a small town near Vilnius just for its exotic soup: it smells bad, but tastes good

Nemenčinė, a short distance from Vilnius, offers more than its compact size might suggest. Visitors can spend the day with their families, shop at the local market and try food that includes a Polish specialty unfamiliar to many Lithuanians.

Fighter Sergejus Maslobojevas and travel programme creator Orijus Gasanovas visited the town, speaking with residents and stopping at the Totti dessert shop. Its founder, Justina, presented decorated doughnuts and cheesecake. Gasanovas joked that his best dessert was sausages, but he still sampled the shop’s offerings.

The pair also explored the Nemenčinė market. Genoefa, who sells vegetables and herbs, said she grows everything herself. Gasanovas spent 12 euros on produce. At another stall, Lilija sold him a men’s medical-steel bracelet after bargaining its price down from 15 euros to 12.

At the Voveraitė restaurant, chef Darius said diners come specifically for flaki, a Polish soup made with beef tripe. He described it as high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat, calling it suitable for athletes. The soup costs 6 euros.

Gasanovas did not take to the dish, but Maslobojevas said he has liked it for a long time. He acknowledged that the first taste can be difficult, but said people can quickly grow to enjoy it: “It smells worse, but the taste is good.”

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It smells worse, but the taste is good.