I've been using Yandex Lava for a while now, and I've gotta say, it's a game-changer for foodies like me. The main drawback is that the delivery service isn't available in all Russian cities, and even in areas where it is, there's no guarantee you can order because your neighborhood or building might not be in the delivery zone. That's why I don't use it as a regular service, but I do use it when I'm in Moscow visiting family or on business.
I've been lucky in that the delivery hub is just a block away from my location, which means delivery from Yandex Lava usually takes no more than 15-20 minutes. You can track the courier's route in the app, which is super convenient.
When I place orders, everything arrives in branded polyethylene bags, tightly sealed when you open them. That's great news for anyone who's never used the service before but wants to give it a shot. There's a nice discount for your first order, too - I got 30% off with a promo code from Yandex Plus.
The one weird thing I noticed is that when I placed my first order, the prices in the app were lower for all the products. But when I created my second order, I noticed the prices had more than doubled. I'm still not sure if it's a glitch or some kind of marketing strategy – it's definitely worth investigating if you notice the same thing.
When I ordered from Yandex Lava, I wasn't looking to stock up on groceries for my fridge. What I was really after were some ready-to-eat meals and snacks. I was happy with the prepared dishes and semi-prepared foods from Yandex Lava. The crab roll-fry was a total winner - it's better than any sushi set I've had. If I wanted to, I could even chop it up and eat it like traditional sushi.
I've had the crab roll a few times now, and I'm always blown away by the flavor. The crispy exterior is a real treat, and I'm pretty sure they're using high-quality oil in the fryer - there's no bitterness to speak of. I highly recommend reheating it in the microwave for a few seconds to get the best flavor. I've also tried the prawn roll, which is just as delicious.
The 'Onigirazu with chicken and tomatoes' is pretty good in terms of quality and taste, but maybe a bit pricey. I only tried it once, then realized I'd be better off sticking with the rolls. The beet salad with garlic at 'Yandex Lavka' is on a whole other level, though. You can find similar salads at regular stores, but I've sworn off buying them at 'Pyaterochka' and 'Magnit' because they're always too acidic. But this one was perfect - just the right amount of mayo.
When I ordered the "Gyozas with Chicken Steamed" for lunch, I have to say it was pretty tasty. Maybe the dough wasn't perfect, but the fillings were decent.
I ended up eating a ton of desserts from the "Lavka". I got motti, cakes, a whole cake, and even individual cake slices. Everything was delicious. Just keep in mind that most of the desserts are frozen, so you can't just devour them right away. You'll need to give them some time to thaw. The "Maraquya" cheese cake, which is similar to the one at "Vkusvill", is something I'd order every week. It's so soft and tasty - perfect for a special occasion.
Now, let's talk about the desserts. I wasn't blown away by the honey cake, but the pistachio torte was a different story.
One thing that really stood out to me was the 'Nevzha' cheesecake from the Brothers Karavaev brand. It's definitely better than the cheesecake with strawberries and raspberries from The Lavka.
When I was ordering a lot over the summer, I noticed that they had a pretty wide selection of sparkling water, which is a must-have for me during the hot months. I was happy to find an affordable and high-quality option.
I was particularly impressed with the Gorji-sourced water with silicon, for example.
The regular water from The Lavka is also pretty good and affordable.
But the guacamole sauce from The Lavka was a game-changer. It comes in a small plastic container and has a generous 90g serving size, perfect for a meal for two. The flavor is rich, although I wish it was a bit more intense.
Maybe some people will find it specific, but I personally loved it.
I've bought the Fitness Time brand yogurt with albumin and collagen a few times. It's really great.
During the summer, and for those who, like me, enjoy ice cream outside of season, you can order sorbet and ice cream from 'From the Shop'. There are a ton of unique flavors to choose from. I particularly enjoyed the 'Mint and Mango' ice cream. The combination might sound strange, but it's definitely worth trying.
I haven't come across sweet popcorn options in a long time, but 'From the Shop' has them. The vanilla popcorn is actually pretty good.
You can order a ready-made coffee through the app, and they'll bring it hot and sealed, so it doesn't spill. I ordered a classic Americano, and it was both aromatic and delicious.
I recommend paying attention to the weight of some products. In regular stores, you rarely find milk in half-liter or 100-gram butter containers. Here, it's easy to find.
Out of habit, I ordered milk without noticing the liter size, and they brought me 0.5 liters. To my surprise, the milk was actually high-quality.
I highly recommend the delivery app from Yandex Market. Prices might be a tad higher, but there are plenty of tasty dishes to choose from and a great selection of products. The main thing is that the service is within your delivery zone.
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Here are my detailed reviews of some of the products and drinks from Yandex Market:
Frozen Torte from Yandex Market 'Maракuiя', 400 g - 'It tastes okay, but they skimped on the cream filling. The maракuiя is just as it is. The ingredients are all natural puree.'
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Yandex Market's Classic Americano from Yandex Market 'Из Лавки' - 'A classic Americano with a strong aroma and flavor. There are two variants of a healthy snack to have with your coffee.'
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Borjomi Aromati Sparkling Mineral Water with a citrus and ginger flavor - 'Borjomi has released a new sparkling mineral water with a citrus and ginger flavor. To me, it tastes like a ginger lemonade.'
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GORJI Sparkling Mineral Water with Silicon - 'GORJI Sparkling Mineral Water is charged with silicon. What are the benefits of drinking water with silicon? And how does it taste?'