Kalinka - Russian Food Store

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 with meringue.

Хороший магазин , осортимент ни как в Нью Йорке но в целом хороший , особенно продавцы доброжелательные и приятные, колбасы и сыр дали на пробу и нарезали как я просил никаких проблем с этим не было, сегодня был в первые в этом магазине , пока только положительные впечатления

I wish their Napoleon had more cream — it was really dry. I was so disappointed, especially since I was so excited to share it with our friends

I was there earlier today and I tried Kvass for the first time and it was amazing! Not only that, the 2 ladies that I spoke to were incredibly nice and wonderful! I'll make sure to stop by again when I'm passing by the area :)

Good service and good selection of east Europe and Russian groceries. Grains, pasta, canned food, bread, sweets and secret, dairy, prepared food, some basic over the counter medicine, etc.

Очень вежливые продавцы! Я позвонила спросить про минеральную воду, мне так понравился вежливый и учтивый ответ, что решила оставить отзыв)

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 near Kalinka

This is by far the best Russian store in San Jose! The prices are lower than in all the other ones we’ve been to — cheaper than Samovar and Slavic’s store — although, of course, still more expensive than in Florida (up to 30% more). But at least the place is clean, well-organized, and nothing is thrown around. The sales ladies are very nice and helpful. Great store overall!

My goto store for eastern European food. Especially when I have nostalgia.
They have not as big a variety of food as Samovar in Palo Alto, but they're still very good.

Homemade meals awesome

My goto store for eastern European food. Especially when I have nostalgia.
They have not as big a variety of food as Samovar in Palo Alto, but they're still very good.

Small shop with fresh cheese/deli meats. Lots of foreign foods that are delicious. Will be coming back

Bought some sausages, snacks, and drinks here. The store has a variety of Russian or Eastern Europe foods that are rare in the Bay Area but of good quality. A good place to visit to widen the taste. And price is very reasonable. Recommend the rice cakes sold here.

If you have half an hour to wait for one person before you slicing her meats and cheese you could shop here. Otherwise, try to find the products you need somewhere else. I hope I’ll never return. I just don’t have time for it.

Good russian/east european grocery store...

Awesome Russian grocery store and bakery Delicious sausages and dvorog and cakes and authentic rye bread and a whole lot more.

Потрясающий русский продуктовый магазин и пекарня Вкусные колбасы и твороги, и торты, и настоящий ржаной хлеб, и многое другое.