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Every time people travel to Budapest, their reasons to visit don’t often include the food and dishes of the city. Thermal baths, ruin bars, and the majestic parliament building are always the priority.
But, most of the time, tourists forget or don’t even know about how delightful Hungarian cuisine can be. What they don’t realize is that this capital Hungary actually has a long list of delicious foods that are guaranteed to satisfy every palate.
Now, don’t be discouraged if the names of the dishes may seem too hard to pronounce and too long because you will surely forget your own name the moment you get a bite of all the best foods you can find in the place.
Dobos torta
Dobos torta is a type of caramel and chocolate cream-covered Hungarian sponge cake. This pastry has five layers that you might have already tried in other restaurants in other countries since this is internationally popular. However, this is a staple in the country so don’t miss the chance to indulge in the real deal during your visit in the capital.
Gesztenyepüré
Gesztenyepüré or also known as the Mont Blanc of Hungary is a type of sweetened chestnut puree served together with whipped cream. This is often combined with cocoa powder or chocolate and rum.
Gulyás
Also called goulash, the country’s national dish, Gulyás is undoubtedly awesome in every sense of the word. Goulash is traditionally made in Hungary using a meat stew with vegetables and noodles and seasoned with paprika as well as other types of delicious spices to create hearty flavors.
Halászlé
Halászlé or fisherman’s soup is a type of hot and spicy river fish soup with paprika as its base. If you are a certified seafood lover, you will definitely fall in love with this dish. This is specifically prepared in Danube regions and is often a part of most restaurant menus.
Jókai Bean Soup
With its name taken after Mor Jókai, a writer during the 19th century, Jókai Bean Soup is about vinegar and plenty of carrots, parsley, smoked pork, beans, and sour cream.
Kifli
Kiflis are the croissants of Hungary. You can enjoy them with butter and jam or you can also eat them on their own.
Kolbász
The sausages of Hungary come from various regions across the country and all of them have their own unique tastes and recipes. Kolbász may be smoked, dried, or boiled. These can be consumed as cold cuts or you can also eat them together with main dishes such as salads and stews. These sausages often contain beef, bacon, lamb, ground pork, garlic, paprika, nutmeg, pepper, and many other local spice varieties.
Kürtőskalács
Kürtőskalács is a beautiful chimney cake that is made using sweet yeast. This is spun then wrapped around a truncated baking material shaped like a cone. You can never resist this yummy dessert because of the melted butter, caramel, granulated sugar, and its walnuty, cinnamony, shiny, and crispy qualities.
Lángos
Fried dough is something you can never say no to. Lángos is a type of flat bread that is made with yeast, flour, salt, and water. You will often see this topped with sour cream yogurt, mashed potatoes, sausages, ham, or grated cheese. This is a certified Central Market Hall staple.
Lecsó
Lecsó is Hungary’s version of veggie soup made with red and green peppers, onions, tomatoes, salt, lard, paprika, and sugar. This is stewy and thick and is the ultimate dream of any vegetarian.
Libamáj
You will easily find foie gras all over Hungary at cheap prices. Libamáj is a dish made of fried goose liver that is definitely a must-try if you happen to find yourself wondering the streets of Budapest.
Nokedli
The Hungarian nokedli dumplings are similar to spaetzles that are made using noodle graters. The dough is then scraped into boiling water using a knife or a spoon. You can pair this with butter although it is also served together with chicken paprikash or goulash.
Paprikás
While there is so much more to Hungarian food, paprikas are often the beginning of everything. This often comes in spiced, sautted, powdered, or stuffed form. But, whatever it is, there is no denying that paprikas are absolute essentials for all foodie tourists.
Paprikás Csirke
Paprikás Csirke is yet another one of the popular soups of Hungary. This is creamy complete with red-spiced paprika. This also comes with stewed chicken leg with soft and tender texture.
Pörkölts
Pörkölts is not like goulash but it is equally delicious. This is a type of boneless meat dish stewed with vegetables and paprika but potatoes are not added. The meat used can vary from pork, chicken, lamb, and beef. The stew may taste like game because livers are often added to it.
Rákóczi Túrós
Rákóczi Túrós is one type of shortcrust pastry that has sweet cottage cheese on top then finished off with a layer of apricot and meringue. This dessert tastes sweet and citrusy.
Rakott Krumpli
All countries have their own versions of gratin and Hungary is not an exception. Rakott Krumpli is basically baked layered potatoes and is one of the best comfort foods you can find.
Rántott Sajt
Who can say no to deep fried cheese? Definitely no one! Rántott Sajt is a type of flat cheese croquette made of cheese that is rolled in breadcrumbs then deep fried. This is definitely a very addictive snack.
Rétes
Think of Rétes is like Hungary’s version of strudel. If you love the German Apfelstrudel, you will equally love rétes.
Töltött Káposzta
Töltött Káposzta is made using picked cabbage leaves stuffed with paprika and minced pork meat topped with a dab of sour cream. The dish is often eaten when winter comes although you can always grab a bite even on hot days of summer.
Töltött Paprika
Once you are done with your Töltött Káposzta, don’t miss the chance to try another kind of stuffed food, none other than stuffed paprika. Töltött Káposzta is mixed with diced red onions, rice, garlic, herbs, salt, ground paprika, ground black pepper, rosemary, or parsley. There are times when cabbage and meat or mushrooms are also added.