Where can I find products similar to Ukrainian ingredients?

Specialized Ukrainian and Eastern European stores

Kalinka (Kalinka/Kalyna European Food Market)

  • Address: 7400 Macleod Trail SE #8, Calgary, AB T2H 0L9

  • Phone: (403) 457-0990

  • Hours: Mon–Fri: 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Sat: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Sun: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Products:

  • Buckwheat (various types)
  • Hard Ukrainian-style cheeses
  • Chocolate and sweets
  • Natural honey
  • Sunflower oil
  • Corn sticks
  • Ready meals: varenyky, holubtsi, borscht
  • Licensed kitchen with traditional Ukrainian dishes

European Market & Deli

  • Address: 7151 11 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2S1
  • Phone: (403) 255-7564
  • Hours:

Mon–Sat: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Sun: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Assortment:

  • 165+ types of tea from Eastern Europe

  • 400+ types of chocolate and candy

  • 60+ types of imported cakes

  • Cereals, jams, honey, pickles

  • Dairy products: sour cream 20%, cottage cheese, kefir

  • Sausages without gluten, dairy products, soy, and MSG

  • Fish from Latvia: mackerel, salmon, sturgeon

Cracovia European Deli and Food Market

  • Address: A2-8330 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2V2

  • Phone: (403) 252-0170

  • Hours: Mon–Fri: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Sat: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sun: Closed

Products:

  • Polish sausage

  • European meat products

  • Cheese, cakes, pastries

  • Ready meals without additives

  • Products smoked in a wood-fired smokehouse

Polcan Meat Products & Polish Delicatessen

  • Address: Not specified
  • Phone: None

Product range:

  • Polish meat products of our own production
  • All products are gluten-free
  • Import of spices, sweets, household goods
  • Wholesale and catering

Large supermarkets with Ukrainian products

Loblaws

  • 50+ Ukrainian products
  • Products: chocolate, tea, coffee, canned goods, juices
  • Brands: Nash Sik, Yogoda, Sweet World, Veres, Nizhyn, Kava zi Lvova
  • Ukrainian shelves in 100+ stores

Safeway

  • Baba Jenny’s frozen foods
  • Vareniki, stuffed cabbage rolls
  • Traditional Ukrainian dishes

No Frills

  • Homemade vareniki, stuffed cabbage rolls
  • Local Ukrainian products

Alternatives to Ukrainian ingredients

Buckwheat

  • Specialty stores: Kalinka, European Market
  • Supermarkets: some Loblaws, Safeway
  • Online: Instacart
  • Asian supermarkets: T&T Supermarket

Sour cream

  • Alternative: Daisy sour cream

  • Crème fraîche

  • European Market (20% sour cream)

  • Kozak Homemade Ukrainian Food

Flour

  • Brands: Robin Hood, Rogers Unbleached
  • High protein: Robin Hood Home Style Bread Flour (14%)
  • Specialty: Miller's Pride (Ontario)

Dairy products

  • Cottage cheese: European Market
  • Kefir: European Market, some Safeway
  • Cream: European Market

Asian supermarkets with some Eastern European products

T&T Supermarket

  • Locations: Deerfoot Meadows, Heritage Meadows
  • Buckwheat, flour, fermented products

Lucky Supermarket

Bakeries and cafes with Ukrainian dishes

Ukrainian Bakery & Coffee Shop

  • Address: 1049 Canyon Meadows Dr SW
  • Phone: 587-834-6745
  • Honey cakes, pastries, varenyky
  • Everything is made from scratch

European Bakery & Deli

Ukrainian Fine Foods

  • Locations: 540 Cleveland Cres SE, Crossroads Market
  • 40+ years in Alberta
  • 12 flavors of varenyky, 7 flavors of holubtsi
  • Free delivery (October–May)

Dolce House Ukrainian Bakery

  • Address: Calgary, AB T3M 1S8
  • Phone: 403-815-2262, 416-418-2300
  • Founded in 2023
  • Natural cakes, authentic recipes

Useful shopping tips

Frozen foods

  • Baba Jenny’s: Safeway, Co-op, Sobeys
  • Ukrainian Fine Foods: stores and delivery
  • Home producers: local entrepreneurs

Substitute ingredients

  • Instead of buckwheat: quinoa, bulgur
  • Instead of sour cream: crème fraîche + plain yogurt
  • Instead of cottage cheese: cottage cheese + sour cream
  • Instead of kefir: buttermilk

Seasonal products

  • Fresh products: spring–summer, especially at the European Market
  • Holiday products: before Ukrainian holidays
  • Canned goods: best selection in the fall

Conclusion

Finding Ukrainian ingredients in Calgary is a mix of experience, experimentation, and knowledge of key stores. Start with Kalinka and European Market, supplement your discoveries at supermarkets, and try local alternatives — and your favorite Ukrainian dishes will taste authentic again!