Best Nostalgic Russian Snacks and Childhood Treats in Dubai

Nostalgic Russian snacks, drinks, and desserts you can find in Dubai

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If you're craving a taste of childhood from Russia or the former Soviet Union, Dubai has a surprisingly good selection of nostalgic snacks.

Where to buy them

ProStor.ae (Al Barsha) – probably the best place for authentic Russian groceries and sweets.
ProStor.ae (Dubai Marina) – another convenient branch with a wide selection.
ProStor.ae (Dubai Silicon Oasis) – ideal if you're in that area.
Larger branches of Carrefour, Safestway, and Baqer Mohebi sometimes stock imported Eastern European products, though availability varies.

Must-try nostalgic Russian snacks

Аленка (Alyonka) – the iconic creamy milk chocolate with the little girl on the wrapper.
Коровка (Korovka) – soft milk toffee candies loved across generations.
Сушки (Sushki) – crunchy mini bagel snacks, perfect with tea.
Пряники (Pryaniki) – traditional honey-spiced gingerbread cookies, often filled with jam.
Семечки (Semechki) – roasted sunflower seeds, a classic pastime snack.
Зефир (Zefir) – fluffy marshmallow-like confection made from fruit puree.
Халва (Halva) – sunflower seed halva, richer than the sesame variety.
Барбарис (Barbaris) – sweet-and-sour hard candies with a distinctive berry flavor.
Ирис Кис-Кис (Kis-Kis Toffee) – chewy caramel candies that many grew up with.
Вафли (Russian Wafers) – crispy wafer bars with hazelnut, vanilla, or chocolate filling.

Many Russian expats in Dubai recommend ProStor as the closest experience to shopping back home, with shelves stocked with familiar chocolates, biscuits, canned foods, drinks, and frozen specialties.

If you're looking for a full nostalgia experience, I can also recommend 10 classic Russian drinks, ice creams, and childhood desserts you can still find in Dubai.

If you're after a true Russian childhood experience in Dubai, these are some of the most nostalgic foods and drinks to look for.

🥤 Classic drinks

Байкал (Baikal) – A herbal Soviet-era soft drink often considered Russia's answer to cola.
Тархун (Tarhun) – Bright green tarragon-flavored soda with a unique herbal sweetness.
Квас (Kvass) – A lightly fermented bread drink, refreshing and slightly tangy.
Дюшес (Duchess) – Sweet pear-flavored soda.
Буратино (Buratino) – Lemon-caramel flavored soda inspired by the Russian Pinocchio.

🍦 Childhood ice creams

Пломбир (Plombir) – Rich, creamy vanilla ice cream that many Russians consider the gold standard.
Эскимо (Eskimo) – Vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate on a stick.
Ванночка (Vannochka) – Classic tub-style ice cream often enjoyed at home.

🍰 Cakes and desserts

Медовик (Medovik) – Layered honey cake.
Наполеон (Napoleon) – Flaky pastry layered with rich custard cream.
Птичье Молоко (Ptichye Moloko / Bird's Milk) – Light soufflé cake covered in chocolate.
Картошка (Kartoshka) – Chocolate cake truffle made from biscuit crumbs and cocoa.

🍫 Sweet treats

Сырки (Glazed Cheese Bars) – Sweet vanilla cheese bars covered in chocolate.
Зефир (Zefir) – Airy fruit marshmallows.
Пастила (Pastila) – Traditional fruit confection.
Коровка (Korovka) – Creamy milk toffees.
Аленка (Alyonka) – Russia's most iconic milk chocolate.

🥟 Savory comfort food

Пельмени (Pelmeni) – Meat-filled dumplings.
Вареники (Vareniki) – Dumplings filled with potato, cheese, or cherries.
Блины (Blini) – Thin pancakes served with sour cream, jam, or caviar.
Сушки & Баранки – Crunchy tea-time rings.
Селёдка под шубой – The famous layered beet and herring salad.

🛒 Where to find them in Dubai

Russian grocery stores are your best bet, particularly ProStor, which stocks most of these products, along with frozen foods, dairy, chocolates, and imported beverages. You'll also occasionally find Russian products in larger supermarkets like Carrefour and Baqer Mohebi.

For the most authentic experience, pair a bottle of Tarhun or Baikal with Pelmeni, followed by a slice of Medovik and a Plombir ice cream, it’s a combination that instantly brings back childhood memories for many Russians and people from across the former Soviet Union.