Hungarian people love food and eating; it's one of the main conversation topics wherever you go. The Hungarian cuisine is delicious if it is prepared well, but not the healthiest one as it includes many spices like paprika, as well as onions, pork and fat for cooking. However, in the past few years, it has changed a lot, since the nation is getting more health-conscious, using more vegetables and lean meat, and trying to renew many old recipes according to new trends.
Popular dishes in Budapest
Of course, you can still find world-famous Hungarian dishes in Budapest, such as gulyás, paprika chicken, stuffed cabbage or Gundel palacsinta (pancake) in most places. Other unique Hungarian dishes are pörkölt, which is a beef or pork stew, lecsó, which is similar to ratatouille, chicken soup, any kind of vegetable stew (can be made from peas, beans, cabbage, potatoes or squash), wiener schnitzel, and different kinds of pasta with cottage cheese, potatoes, cabbage or even poppy seed.
Street food in Budapest
While you have many of the usual international street food options like gyros, there are Hungary-specific delicacies as well for you to try in Budapest. Lángos is a Hungarian specialty, and you can find it at every buffet by the beach or swimming pools during summer. It is very common in markets as well. It is a dough fried in oil, and you can have it plain, only with some salt and garlic oil, or with sour cream, cheese or, a more recent trend, with special toppings such as ham, Mexican chili bean or even with jam.
These new variations were created by street food venues, which are getting increasingly more famous in Budapest as well. You can find most of them in the central districts , district VI., VII. and VIII., with many venues congregated over Pest's Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút). Basic lángos in local markets cost around 650-1,050 HUF, while in central Budapest expect 1,500-2,500 HUF, and tourist areas or gourmet versions can reach 2,000-4,000 HUF or more. Lángos Land at the Fény itca Market and Street Food Karavan are two popular options.
Sweet dishes in Budapest
For desserts, you must try out Somlói galuska, which is made with three different-flavoured sponge cakes, pastry cream, raisins, walnuts, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream. Eszterházy cake, Dobos cake, Rigó Jancsi and Zserbó are delicious as well. You might have heard about kürtőskalács (chimney cake), which is originally from Transylvania, but now can be found all over Hungary. You can get them from small stalls, while for the other desserts, just pop into a café or pastry shop.
Bakeries in Budapest
Bakeries are also popular in Budapest, and there are many unusual pastry delicacies worth trying all over the city. From the simple croissant variant called kifli to the salty scones of pogácsa or a cheesecloth (which is a pastry filled with sweet cottage cheese), there are many interesting options for you to try. Domestic chains like Lipóti Pékség, Fornetti, and Princess are the biggest ones. You can find at least one of them at every underground or bigger bus station.
If you would like to cook any of the mentioned Hungarian dishes, just visit any supermarket, or if you can, a market like Great Market Hall or Lehel Market, where you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, sausages, fresh meat, fish and all the spices.
Popular drinks in Budapest
Hungary is also famous for its wine. You must try wine from Tokaj, Eger or Badacsony, which are renowned wine regions. Local beers, such as Borsodi, Soproni or Pécsi, are popular with locals, with a growing craft beer community in Budapest also worth exploring as well. If you want something stronger, try some pálinka, which is a spirit made from fruits (usually plum, beach or pear) and can have an alcohol content up to 70-80% (but typically in the 40-55% range for those of a fainter heart).
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