Kalinka - Russian Food Store

 4.5
669-221-5350
San Jose, 5025 Almaden Expy, San Jose, CA 95118, United States

Polish, Bulgarian, German, Czech, English, Georgian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Russian, Jewish, Armenian, Italian cakes, chocolates, deli meats, cheeses, pickled veggies, wines, beers, breads, juices, teas and coffee, sauces, jams


польская, болгарская, немецкая, чешская, английская, грузинская, румынская, украинская, венгерская, русская, еврейская, армянская, итальянская выпечка, шоколад, мясные деликатесы, сыры, маринованные овощи, вина, пиво, хлеб, соки, чай и кофе, соусы , джемы


In the heart of South San Jose, at 5025 Almaden Expy, Kalinka - Russian Food Store serves as a vibrant gateway to Eastern Europe. Named after the iconic Russian folk song and the snowball tree berry, this boutique market is a nostalgic sanctuary for the local Slavic community and a treasure trove for culinary explorers seeking flavors beyond the standard supermarket aisle.


It is the definitive destination for those who believe that food is the most powerful way to travel without a passport.


A Sensory Tour of the Steppes


The Artisanal Bakery Pulse: The soul of Kalinka is its commitment to fresh bread. They utilize a specialized "par-baked" method, finishing the bake on-site every morning to ensure that the Borodinsky (dark rye) and crusty artisanal loaves are still warm when they hit the shelf.


The Deli of a Thousand Salami: The glass-cased deli counter is a masterclass in Eastern European charcuterie. You'll find a dizzying array of smoked Kielbasa, authentic Polish hams, and Hungarian salamis, alongside traditional prepared salads like Olivier (potato salad with ham) and Dressed Herring (the famous "herring under a fur coat").


The Sweet Nostalgia Aisle: Kalinka is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. Their shelves are lined with colorful wrappers of Roshen and Red October chocolates, pryaniki (honey spice cookies), and sushki (bread rings). Don't miss the cake fridge, which often features the legendary Kiev Cake—a crunchy, meringue-based masterpiece.


Liquid Tradition: Beyond the food, the store houses a curated selection of Georgian and Armenian wines, Baltic beers, and the essential Kvass—a fermented rye bread drink that is the ultimate thirst-quencher for a hot California afternoon.


The Slavic Specialty Standard


 


"Fresh bread, old stories, and a taste of home in every bite."


В самом сердце Южного Сан-Хосе, по адресу 5025 Almaden Expy, расположен магазин Kalinka - Russian Food Store, который служит оживленными воротами в Восточную Европу. Названный в честь культовой русской народной песни и ягоды снежного дерева, этот бутик-маркет является ностальгическим убежищем для местной славянской общины и сокровищницей для гурманов, ищущих вкусы, выходящие за рамки стандартного ассортимента супермаркетов.


Это идеальное место для тех, кто считает, что еда — это самый мощный способ путешествовать без паспорта.


Сенсорное путешествие по степям


Пульс ремесленной пекарни: Душа Kalinka — это приверженность свежему хлебу. Они используют специальный метод «предварительной выпечки», завершая выпечку на месте каждое утро, чтобы гарантировать, что бородинский (темный ржаной) и хрустящие ремесленные буханки остаются теплыми, когда попадают на полки.


Деликатесы тысячи салями: Стеклянная витрина с деликатесами — это мастер-класс по восточноевропейским мясным деликатесам. Здесь вы найдете головокружительный ассортимент копченой колбасы, настоящей польской ветчины и венгерских салями, а также традиционные готовые салаты, такие как «Оливье» (картофельный салат с ветчиной) и «Сельдь в мундире» (знаменитая «сельдь под меховой шубой»).


Отдел сладкой ностальгии: «Калинка» — рай для сладкоежек. На полках выложены красочные обертки шоколада «Рошен» и «Красный Октябрь», пряники (медовое пряное печенье) и сушки (хлебные кольца). Не пропустите холодильник с выпечкой, где часто можно увидеть легендарный киевский пирог — хрустящий шедевр на основе безе.


Жидкие традиции: помимо еды, в магазине представлен тщательно отобранный ассортимент грузинских и армянских вин, балтийского пива и незаменимого кваса — ферментированного ржаного хлебного напитка, идеально утоляющего жажду в жаркий калифорнийский полдень.


Стандарт славянских деликатесов:


 


«Свежий хлеб, старые истории и вкус дома в каждом кусочке».


The most interesting reviews


- Excellent Russian market with other eastern European goodies. Has everything from Kvass to sausages.


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


I served on a mission trip to Ukraine this year. When I returned to the United States, I searched for a store nearby that sold Ukrainian food. This store has everything I needed! There’s shuba salad, borscht, paska, pirohi and even chocolates such as ROSHEN Chocolate Candy "Evening Kyiv" Ukrainian Gift Box. What’s more, the young man who works here is amazing! He goes out if his way to make you feel welcome every time you step into the store. I can’t wait to return.


- Useful store for people who moved from Russia. Sweets, canned food, bread, small selection of fruits and vegetables, grains.


Good selection of Slavic products and great freshly baked artisanal breads and ham.


A little of everything, a lot of what I miss from eastern Europe and my childhood. The fresh cakes are the best!


An oasis of the good food I was brought up on back East! I was shopping in the area and noticed the store so, I stepped in quickly just to see if it was real. I asked the owner or manager if they carried Polaski Meats from Linden New Jersey smoked Kielbasa and the answer was yes!


Awesome store. Russian enough that they had all the snacks I recall from childhood, and modern enough that my mom got annoyed at the electronic music and mask policies.


They have a seemingly endless supply of frozen berries that you cannot find anywhere else (смородина, клюква, облепиха, т.д.) Buy some stuff to share with friends

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Reviews about Kalinka - Russian Food Store

 5 
08.02.2026 10:36
Lovely Russian store with fresh deli, salads, piroshkis and more! Friendly staff, excellent service, amazing produce and treats. Authentic and fresh! Recommended!
 5 
08.02.2026 10:35
Been going here for 3 years, love food and people who work there
 4.0
08.02.2026 10:34
Топленое масло оказалось ранее вскрытым, несмотря на то, что банка сверху была обернута в картонную упаковку. Видно как масло брали ложкой. Очень неприятно.
Также напишу про Семечки от Мартина - через раз попадаются прогорклые. Как будто специально перемешали хорошую партию с плохой. Берёшь две рядомлежащих упаковки, одна хорошая, другая - испрочена.
При этом должна сказать, что тут работают приятные продавцы, всегда подскажут, помогут. Плюс хороший выбор товаров.
 5 
13.11.2025 06:57
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.
 5 
13.11.2025 06:56
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
 4.0
13.11.2025 06:56
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
 5 
13.11.2025 06:55
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 :)
 5 
13.11.2025 06:55
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.
 5 
13.11.2025 06:54
Очень вежливые продавцы! Я позвонила спросить про минеральную воду, мне так понравился вежливый и учтивый ответ, что решила оставить отзыв)
 5 
13.11.2025 06:54
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
 5 
13.11.2025 06:53
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!
 5 
26.12.2023 22:55
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.
 5 
09.11.2023 12:32
Homemade meals awesome
 5 
09.11.2023 12:32
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.
 5 
08.09.2023 19:55
Small shop with fresh cheese/deli meats. Lots of foreign foods that are delicious. Will be coming back
 5 
08.09.2023 19:55
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.
 3.0
08.09.2023 19:55
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.
 5 
12.05.2023 16:09
Good russian/east european grocery store...
 5 
15.03.2023 14:18
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.


 

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