Toba
Head Cheese / Brawn (Pork Terrine)
Yes, keto as served. About 3g net carbs per serving, lower than 9 in 10 Romanian dishes.
What it is
A traditional Romanian cold cut or terrine made from various cooked pork parts (ears, tongue, snout, lean meat) and pork skin, seasoned with garlic and spices, pressed into a casing and chilled to form a gelatinous meat product. It's rich in collagen and fat, naturally low in carbs.
Key ingredients
Pork meat (various cuts like tongue, ears, lean meat), pork skin, garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaves, gelatin (natural from cooking bones/skin).
Optional tweaks
Ensure no hidden bread crumbs or other fillers, which are generally not part of authentic Toba but could be added in some modern recipes. Request no bread accompaniment.
Say this to the waiter (Romanian)
Vă rog să confirmați că Toba nu conține pesmet sau alți aditivi. Și fără pâine alături, vă rog.
Please confirm the Toba has no bread crumbs or other fillers. And no bread on the side, please.
Watch out for
Often served with bread. Some lower-quality versions might contain starch or fillers, though this is rare for authentic Toba. Watch out for sweet pickles if served as a garnish.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Romanian menuAll 218 Romanian dishes ›
