Hungarian Food: A Delightful Gastronomic Adventure

Hungarian Food: A Delightful Gastronomic Adventure

A Gastronomic Journey through flavorsome stews, heavenly pastries, and vibrant markets. Discover the essence of Hungary's culinary delights.

Once in Budapest, you will probably have a question - what to try from Hungarian cuisine, in addition to goulash. The popularity of Hungarian goulash has spread far beyond the borders of its country, but this does not mean that there is nothing else to eat here. Hungarian cuisine is varied and rich. Meat lovers will be especially pleased with it - meat is the basis of almost all national dishes. We tell you what Hungarian cuisine consists of and what you should definitely try during your trip to Budapest.

Start your acquaintance with the national cuisine of Hungary at the folklore show program, which is arranged in a Hungarian tavern with dances, songs and a variety of Hungarian delicacies.

1) Goulash

Goulash is perhaps the most popular Hungarian dish both in Budapest and outside of Hungary. This national dish appeared in Hungarian cuisine several centuries ago and was originally a food for shepherds. “Goulash” is translated from Hungarian as “shepherd”. Goulash soup combines the first and second courses, since there are so many ingredients in it that it is difficult to call it an ordinary soup. Goulash is usually made with beef or lamb. The meat is first fried and then stewed with potatoes, herbs, onions and spices. Goulash gets its red color when cumin and paprika are added to it. In Budapest, you can often find unusual servings of goulash soup, for example, in bread.

2) Khalasle

This is the second most popular soup in Hungarian cuisine. Halasle is somewhat similar to goulash, but the main ingredient in it is fish. With the name, too, everything is simple, "halasle" is translated from Hungarian as "ear". As in the previous dish, the fish is first fried in pork fat with onions and paprika, and then everything is boiled in tomato juice. Most often, halasle is made with carp or pike, and if goulash soup was the main dish of shepherds, then Hungarian fish soup could often be found on the tables of fishermen. The soup is served in pots and is accompanied by white bread. According to the locals, it is also worth ordering Tokay wine with khalasla.

3) Paprikash

Chicken paprikash is a dish that has been introduced to Hungarian cuisine since the Middle Ages. Paprikash is meat stewed in sour cream sauce, of course, with the addition of a large amount of wigs. The meat is served with boiled potatoes, herbs and dumplings. Like most Hungarian dishes, it is high in fat and onions. The secret of cooking paprikash is that the meat is boiled so that it literally melts in your mouth. Now in restaurants, you can find veal, lamb, fish and even vegetable paprikash, but the original recipe is made from chicken.

4) Libamai

You could already meet Libamay under a different name in another country - France. Its French counterpart is foie gras. But few people know that a similar goose liver pate is actually an invention of the Hungarians. If libamay is translated from Hungarian, it turns out that “liba” is a goose, and “maj” is a liver. The dish is prepared both in cold and hot versions, and rice and pickled vegetables are sometimes used when serving. Libamai has a special delicate texture, and when it is cooked, the dish is usually slightly undercooked so that the natural pink hue is preserved. Libamay is worth ordering a glass of Tokay wine.

5) Langosh

Hungarian cuisine even has its own national fast food - langos. It is a yeast cake fried in oil and smeared with garlic sauce. The top of the cake is sprinkled with grated cheese, and sometimes paprika is also added. This is a quick and tasty snack that you can take with you on a walk around Budapest.

6) Shomloy dumplings

Hungarian cuisine is rich not only in meat and spicy dishes. One of the most popular desserts that you should definitely try in Budapest is shomloi dumplings. The dessert has nothing to do with the famous Ukrainian dumplings. It is a sponge cake soaked in rum and orange zest, to which whipped cream, vanilla custard, berries, nuts and chocolate are added. In many restaurants and confectioneries, the recipe for a dish may differ - somewhere they add additional sauces or more ingredients. Shomloi dumpling vaguely resembles Italian tiramisu, the dessert is just as tender and not too sugary.

7) Retash

Another Hungarian dessert that will also remind you of one famous dish is the Austrian strudel. Retesh is a puff roll, inside of which there can be apples or berries, nuts, poppy seeds and cottage cheese. The top of the roll is sprinkled with powdered sugar. No holiday in Hungary is complete without this national dessert. Unlike Austrian sweet strudel, here you can find them in a salty version - with chicken or vegetables.