Russians overwhelmingly reject fast food in favor of home cooking

A recent survey has revealed that most Russians still prefer home-cooked meals over fast food or takeaways. The study, involving nearly 6,000 participants, shows a strong preference for traditional cooking despite the rise of convenience options since the 1990s.

One well-known doctor has even called for a return to Soviet-era eating habits, arguing they were healthier than today's choices.

The survey, carried out by KP.RU, polled 5,800 people across social media platforms like Telegram and Viber. Results showed that 79% of Russians cook their own meals at home. Another 17% eat home-cooked food but rely on their partners to prepare it.

Only a small fraction—2%—turn to convenience foods due to time constraints. An even smaller group, just 1%, regularly buys store-bought or restaurant meals. Many respondents criticised the quality of takeaways, saying they taste worse and feel less healthy than homemade dishes.

Fast food has grown in Russia since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. Foreign chains spread quickly, especially in cities like Kaliningrad, introducing dishes such as pizza, sushi, and shawarma. Yet despite this shift, 67% of those surveyed believe home cooking is tastier and better for health. Delivery services remain a last resort for most, used only in rare situations.

Alexander Myasnikov, a leading physician, has publicly urged Russians to revisit Soviet-style diets. He claims these older eating patterns were more balanced and nutritious than modern fast-food alternatives.

The findings highlight a clear trend: Russians overwhelmingly favour home cooking over convenience foods. With 96% of respondents eating meals prepared at home, either by themselves or their partners, the tradition of cooking from scratch remains strong. Meanwhile, fast food and takeaways continue to play a minor role in daily diets.