(Bloomberg) -- When troops started massing on the border of Ukraine I started dreaming of dumplings. If Spaniards delineate success by who, how and where a good paella is made, Slavs worldwide, or at least me started thinking of the critical difference between a pierogi, the Polish variant stuffed with potato and the Ukrainian varenyky which can be farmers cheese, blueberry or my favorite, pike.

What could I as a food writer of 30-plus years do to help Ukraine from New York? The first thing I did was to ask our team in London to compile a list of all the Ukrainian restaurants on DINE in London and New York. And then I went to Veselka on the Lower East Side, which has been serving Ukrainian staples like dumplings and borscht since 1954. Not surprising that when I arrived so was the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, getting an obligatory photo opportunity with Veselka’s owners.

He left in 20 minutes. I stayed to ruminate on how a dumpling — be it Ukraine, Poland, Georgia or China — also Russia — can be an intensely beautiful thing. Memories of soup running down my chin in Kyiv and then Kazbegi in 2018 and being told I would have to have one more just to get the technique down. I remembered friends and family — Slavs all who are hurting on some level so deep and so painful that for a moment you can feel the ignominy of nations that have been tossed like footballs for centuries. Not just now, but the last century and the one before that that sent my ancestors to the Lower East Side.

I had another round of soup dumplings, was quietly pleased that I didn't spill a drop of soup and then came back to the office to work with my colleagues to prepare this list. That’s what we can do.

New York City

-  VeselkaEast VillageThe restaurant is donating 100% of borscht sales to Ukraine and accepting donations at its East 9th Street entrance for items listed on its website.

- Veselka,Lower East SideDonations are being accepted through a partnership with Razom.

- Ukrainian East VillageEast VillageA percentage of weekly sales will go to Ukrainian aid, the restaurant announced. 

- Golden LeoSheepshead BayThe restaurant shared an Amazon wishlist on its Facebook page.

- Varenyk HouseRidgewoodAll profits from the sale of its varenyk (pierogi) will be donated, the restaurant’s Facebook page says. 

- StreechaEast VillageThe restaurant is accepting contributions to the Ukrainian Army via a QR code on the premises.

- RondelMidwoodThe restaurant shared an Amazon wishlist on its Facebook page.

London

- Albina,PlaistowThe restaurant has shared multiple appeals for supporting Ukraine on its Instagram page, including links to the National Bank of Ukraine.

A post shared by Ukrainian Restaurant ‘Albina’ (@ukrainian_restaurant_albina)

- SawmillStratfordCustomers responding to an appeal for donations such as medicine and food can drop items off at the restaurant. 

A post shared by Sawmill (@sawmill_cafe)

- OlenkaBowThe restaurant a link on its website for donations to the National Bank of Ukraine.

- ProsperityTwickenhamAfter a huge outpouring of support, the restaurant is temporarily closed to accept donations of canned food, clothing, blankets and other items. 

A post shared by Prosperity Cafe & Restaurant (@prosperity_restaurant)

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