Entering the renovated Agora Modiano from the entrance of Ermou Street, “Piroski” is the first store you come across on the left. A new entry in the city, connected to the Pontic cuisine, was first presented to the public of Thessaloniki at the opening of the Modiano Market and came to propose all the well-known local products through new flavors, which are constantly inspired by its 27-year-old owner, Yiannis Kotzageridis.

Originally from Xiropotamos, Thessaloniki, Yiannis Kotzageridis wanted to create something different in the center of the city, a business with exclusive Pontic products, directly linked to his roots, which is why he ended up in piroski. Piroski has always been the main Pontic food and that’s why he decided to promote it professionally.

Traditional piroski, modern piroski

At “Piroski” the traditional Pontic cuisine is presented in its modern version. More than 20 flavors in piroski, salty and sweet, are proposed and enriched according to the season.

Traditional piroski, potato, cheese, traditional PDO feta or minced meat with fresh tomato sauce and parmesan, piroski for vegans, but also more gourmet suggestions, such as piroski with potato, mushroom and truffle paste, a flavor that has also participated in a competition, are among the options offered by the store. All based on selected A’ quality raw materials, which come from other shops of Modiano Market.

People have taken it several steps further. So don’t be surprised if on Pure Monday you find piroski with halva or piroski with cod and garlic sauce (skordalia) on March 25, since this is where imagination takes the reins and is perfectly combined with a good knowledge of Pontic cuisine.

Perek from the grandmothers of Xiropotamos

The main product of the shop may be the piroski, but it is not the only one. The perek, the traditional Pontic baked pie crust, with its many possibilities and variations has a dominant position in the store, which is why the owner of “Piroski” trusts it completely.

The perek are traditionally made by the older women of the village, directly in the “satch”, sheet metal placed on the fire, until the product is cooked.

We can also find these pie crusts packaged in “Piroski”, to prepare them at home with the flavors we want. However, we can also try them on the spot if we decide to sit upstairs in the Modiano Market.

What will we find? Many flavors. Salty, spicy, ordinary and unusual. Perek with pastourma, caseri and Florina peppers are among our best options, along with other flavors that result from experimentation.

What else will we find?

In addition to the sweet versions of the above products, we will also find Pontic “otia”, the traditional Pontic sweets, ideal for any occasion.

Ibriston, the traditional Pontic noodle, but also korkoto, which is very similar to trachana, are among the store’s products. Everything is prepared at that moment and arrives to us fresh and delicious, making us want to try it.

It is worth mentioning that the store’s surplus products are distributed every night to our homeless fellow citizens.

Pontic Meeting Celebration in Modiano

Yiannis Kotzageridis is proud of his origin and has been trying for years to highlight as much as possible the Pontic element and indeed, the Pontic gastronomy. A member of local associations and development agencies in his area, he seeks through intense engagement with the public to offer, help and encourage people to get to know the Pontic customs and manners.

In this context, the great Pontian Meeting Celebration will take place in Modiano on Saturday, May 13, 2023 and will evolve into a Pontian culinary event, a collaboration between Agora Modiano and the Panhellenic Federation of Pontians of Greece.

It is an ideal opportunity to get to know the Pontic tradition in its various versions and of course to try the various products of the store.

Tip 1: The shop is open Monday to Saturday 08.00 – 22.00 and Sunday 10.00 – 22.00.

Tip 2: In addition to distribution through Wolt, Box and e-food, “Piroski” also accepts orders from areas outside of Thessaloniki.