As a Hungarian-American here a the must try highlights of Hungarian food on your next visit!
Main Dishes and Soups
- Gulyás (Goulash): A classic Hungarian soup or stew with beef, vegetables, and paprika. It’s hearty and loved by people of all ages. For some reason this is the most known dish, though it’s not as high on my list as some of the ones below.
- Pörkölt: Similar to goulash but thicker, this stew is made with meat (usually beef or chicken), onions, and lots of paprika. I would compare it to a curry without the Indian spices and more paprika.
- Húsleves (Chicken Noodle Soup), while this sounds basic, it is something I could eat everyday, it is a simple, comforting, and wholesome dish– featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and delicate noodles, simmered to perfection, making it a beloved staple in Hungarian households, especially cherished during colder months.
- Főzelék: A type of thick Hungarian vegetable stew, often made with peas, lentils, or spinach, and served with boiled eggs or fried meatballs.
- Lángos: A deep-fried flatbread typically topped with garlic sauce, sour cream, and grated cheese (you can choose your toppings). It’s a popular street food and a hit with kids. This is our kids favorite and we still attempt to make it at home
- Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke): A creamy, paprika-flavored dish served with chicken and usually accompanied by nokedli (dumplings).
- Töltött Káposzta (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls): Cabbage leaves stuffed with a mix of meat and rice, seasoned with paprika and cooked in a tomato-based sauce.
- Halászlé (Fisherman’s Soup): A spicy river fish soup, seasoned with paprika. It’s especially popular in regions near the Danube and Tisza Rivers.
- Jókai Bableves (Bean Soup á la Jókai): A rich bean soup named after the famous Hungarian writer Mór Jókai, often containing smoked meats and vegetables.
- Túrós Csusza (Cheesy Bacon Pasta): is a delightful Hungarian noodle dish, combining soft egg noodles with creamy, fresh curd cheese, topped with crispy bacon bits – a comforting and authentic taste of Hungary’s culinary heritage, perfect for families seeking a traditional yet simple meal.
- Erős Pista, a staple in Hungarian cuisine, is a robust and spicy paste made from ground hot peppers, offering a fiery kick to traditional dishes like goulash and stews, and beloved by those who appreciate a bold and piquant flavor enhancement in their meals. I compare it to the Sriracha of Hungary.
Sweets
- Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake): A sweet, spiral-shaped pastry that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often coated with sugar, cinnamon, or nuts.
- Somlói Galuska (Somló Sponge Cake): A trifle-like dessert made with layers of sponge cake, chocolate sauce, rum, and whipped cream.
- Palacsinta, Hungary’s answer to the crepe, is a must-try for tourists, offering thin, delicate pancakes rolled with an array of fillings, from sweet jam and rich chocolate to savory meat, capturing the versatile and indulgent spirit of Hungarian cuisine.
- Fagyi (Ice cream): while not Hungarian, ice cream stands are very popular and common in Hungary. Scoops tend to be smaller and lighter (and cheaper) than the US.
- Turo Rudi: A sweet dessert popular among children that can be found at any supermarket, consisting of a chocolate-covered bar filled with sweetened cottage cheese. This is the first thing I buy off the plane, though I will say most foreign adults don’t quite take to it 🙂
Adult Beverages
When exploring the rich world of Hungarian alcohol, there are several iconic drinks that you must try:
- Unicum: A herbal liqueur, often enjoyed as a digestif, Unicum is a national treasure with a unique, bitter flavor, made from a secret recipe of over 40 herbs.
- Pálinka: A traditional Hungarian fruit brandy, typically made from plums, apricots, apples, pears, or cherries. It’s a strong spirit, deeply embedded in Hungarian culture. It’s very strong, and a very Hungarian spirit – you’ve been warned!
- Szilvapálinka (Plum Pálinka): A popular variant of Pálinka, this spirit is known for its smooth, fruity flavor and is often enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif.
- Tokaji Aszú: Hailing from the Tokaj region, this world-famous sweet dessert wine is known for its rich flavors and complexity, a result of the unique noble rot process. Remember that this is a sweet dessert wine, sip it after a meal in small doses.The number of puttonyos (ranging typically from 3 to 6, and sometimes even 7) added to a barrel of base wine determines the sweetness and richness of the final product. A higher number of puttonyos indicates a sweeter wine with more residual sugar. For example, 3 puttonyos is less sweet, while 6 puttonyos is very sweet and more concentrated (and usually more expensive). Tokaji is amazing, and much more affordable than the states, a good place to stock up!
- Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood of Eger): A robust red wine blend from Eger, known for its deep color and rich taste, steeped in legends and history.
- Villány Wines: From one of Hungary’s most prominent wine regions, Villány is famous for its high-quality red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and local varieties like Kékfrankos.
- Soproni Kékfrankos: A wine from the Sopron region, known for its Kékfrankos grape, producing red wines that are flavorful yet light, ideal for those who prefer a less intense red wine.
- Somlói Juhfark: A unique white wine from the small Somló region, made from the rare Juhfark grape. It’s known for its minerality and complexity.
- Törley Sparkling Wines: Hungary’s answer to champagne, Törley offers a range of sparkling wines that are perfect for celebrations or as an aperitif.
- Fröccs: A popular summertime drink, Fröccs is a refreshing spritzer made with white or rosé wine mixed with sparkling water, perfect for a hot day.
If interested in my food adventures around the globe, follow me on Atmosfy @rebellfoods. It’s like a TikTok for Yelp and I love discovering new places, dishes, and experiences through here. Disclosure: I am an advisor and investor for Atmosfy that’s how much I love it!
On Eat With, I would recommend the following Budapest based classes based on my experience as a Hungarian and having American partner and kids. Note that I haven’t taken these personally, but they are very highly rated and I would recommend it based on the reviews and the content.
- Grandma’s Dinner : 3-course meal cooked by a granny, served with wine. This is more to enjoy than to cook along.
- How to Make Langos: Hungary’s No.1 Street Food. Be warned, these are amazing and addictive! It is my kids favorite food of all time and we make it at home on special occasions. How fun to have a class of it!
- Small-Group Food Tour of Budapest’s Last Authentic Farmers Market. I love a good market tour led by a local- the smells, the flavors, and the real local vibe. I like this one because it’s a small group so you can easily follow along and have personalized questions and attention.
- Hungarian Cooking Class with a Professional Chef (4-course menu, drinks), this might be better as a date night or with older kids that love cooking since it’s 4 hours. But it hits all the highlights of Hungarian traditional food and you can also learn so much.
Have you had Hungarian food? Anything you would add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
