Rösti is the Swiss potato dish traditionally made by frying grated potatoes into a round cake.
Rösti is prepared from grated potatoes that are shaped into a flat, crisp-edged cake and cooked in a pan. Some versions use previously boiled potatoes, while others use raw grated potatoes; both approaches are found in Swiss cooking.
The dish originated as a breakfast food in the canton of Bern, where it was associated with farmers' meals. It later became widely recognized as a national Swiss specialty and is now served at many times of day.
Rösti is often confused with hash browns because both use grated potatoes. Rösti is typically formed into one large cake or several cohesive cakes, while hash browns are commonly cooked as looser pieces or smaller patties. Cheese, bacon, or onion may be added, depending on the recipe.