A Food Lovers Guide to Budapest, Hungary - 20 Ways to Savor the Flavors On Your Next River Cruise
- Lisa Traynor
- Sep 13, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 23, 2023
Hungary is a country filled with history and culture, from its colorful cities to its beautiful riverside towns. But one of the most exciting aspects of visiting Hungary is indulging in the local fare.
From hearty stews to sweet treats, there are plenty of delicious traditional dishes for you to try as you explore this stunning destination. To help get your mouth watering, here's our list of 20 must-try foods when traveling through Hungary!
Gulyás
Also known as Goulash, Hungary's national dish has been satisfying taste buds for over a thousand years. Made from a meat stew with noodles, it features cubes of succulent beef or pork slow-cooked with onions and paprika for an unbeatable aroma. Add in tomatoes for sweetness and caraway seeds for a nutty flavor. Additional variations include potatoes, peppers, or spicy chilis to give this hearty meal a bit of kick!
Kolbász
Hungarians have perfected the art of sausage making and each region has its own unique recipe. Kolbász can take many forms-boiled, dried or smoked-and can be eaten on its own or as an accompaniment to any main dish or stew. These Hungarian delicacies boast an expert blend of paprika, garlic, pepper, nutmeg plus various regional spices that make every bite truly unforgettable.
Paprikás
Let us introduce you to the culinary gem of Hungary-Paprikás! You’ll find it in a variety of forms from spiced, powdered, sauteed, or even stuffed. An essential for any traditional Hungarian dish.
Lecsó
Hungary is renowned for its delicious soups, and this Hungarian version of vegetable soup won’t disappoint. It consists of tomatoes, red and green peppers, onions, lard, salt, sugar, and of course, paprika.
Jókai bean soup
Discover the incredible flavor of Jókai bean soup! Named after the 19th-century writer Mor Jókai, this hearty dish features a delicious blend of vinegar with plenty of smoked pork, beans, carrots, sour cream, and parsley root. Perfect for cozy evenings or any day you're craving comfort food!
Paprikás Csirke Chicken
Paprikash certainly hits the mark after a long day of sight-seeing! It features tenderly stewed chicken legs braised in a velvety rich and creamy red spiced paprika sauce.
Újházi chicken broth
Újházi chicken broth contains a whole chicken, mixed with carrots, peas, tomatoes, cauliflower, green peppers, mushrooms, and garlic. While this dish is traditionally served at Hungarian weddings, you don’t have to say “I do” to get your hands on a bowl of this. It is also a favorite among locals.
Halászlé
Commonly referred to as Fisherman’s soup, Halászlé is a hot and spicy paprika-based soup composed of fresh fish, shrimps, prawn, and periwinkle. A bowl of this will certainly put a pep in your step seeing that it’s one of Europe’s spiciest dishes!
Lángos
Give into temptation and treat yourself to langos, the irresistible fried flatbread that's sure to satisfy any craving! Finished with a range of delicious toppings like mashed potatoes, sour cream, yogurt, grated cheese, ham or sausages--it's impossible not to indulge.
Pörkölts
Another Hungarian favorite, Pörkölt is a meaty stew that is slow simmered with onions in a tomato based sauce. This savory dish is the perfect way to satisfy your cravings and fill up-enjoy it over a bed of noodles for an even heartier meal!
Töltött Káposzta
A healthy wintertime favorite, Töltött Káposzta are stuffed cabbage rolls made from pickled cabbage leaves filled with minced pork meat, sauerkraut, rice, and paprika. They’re traditionally served with sour cream and smoked meat on the side.
Rántott Sajt
Who doesn’t like deep fried cheese?? Rántott Sajt is served as a main dish and is simply thick slices of cheese rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Yum!
Túrós Csusza
This authentic Hungarian dish is made by hand using simple ingredients. The noodles are mixed into a dough and torn into small uneven pieces before being dropped into boiling water. Once they are done, cheese curds and crispy bacon pieces are added and then topped with a creamy Hungarian sour cream before being placed into the oven to broil. This dish is as satisfying as it is comforting.
Nokedli
Delight your taste buds with Hungarian Nokedli. These drop-dumplings, similar to German spaetzle, are created by grating dough into boiling water. Enjoy on their own or as an accompaniment for dishes such as goulash and chicken paprikash.
Túrógombóc
These heavenly dumplings made of curd or cottage cheese are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Boiled in water and then coated with buttery breadcrumbs, they're served warm with a sugary sour-cream sauce-an utterly delectable experience that you won't soon forget!
Dobos torta
Treat your taste buds to a truly unique experience: Hungary's iconic five-layer sponge cake covered in decadent chocolate cream and caramel. Even though it’s imitated around the world, Budapest serves up the traditional Dobos torta!
Kürtőskalács
One of the most visually intriguing desserts, Kürtőskalács is a chimney cake that is spun and wrapped around a truncated cone-shaped baking mold, rolled in sugar, then roasted over charcoal. The sugar caramelizes and creates a shiny crispy shell. You can eat it like this or add walnuts and cinnamon. Either way, it will no doubt leave everyone wanting more!
Rákóczi Túrós
This Hungarian Curd Cheesecake is made up of a thin short crust pastry, topped with creamy cottage cheese and layers of meringue and apricot jam. Its citrusy sweet notes and the contrasting textures make for a really delicious treat.
Gesztenyepüré One of Hungary's beloved desserts, this rich and creamy chestnut purée is traditionally served with plenty of whipped cream but can also be made more indulgent by adding some chocolate or cocoa powder plus a splash of rum for good measure!
Rétes
One of the most common indulgences, Hungarian strudel can be served a variety of ways. Always having a paper thin layered crust, you can have it filled with sweet fruits or savory meats and cheeses–the perfect remedy for all cravings!
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