11 Hungarian Dishes We Recommend You To Try
Hungary is an incredible country, and so are these 11 typical Hungarian dishes that you should definitely try when you come to this country. We have visited Hungary many times and we have always left with a desire to return over and over again to be able to eat all the incredible Hungarian dishes this country has to offer.
Like in most Eastern European countries, Hungarian cuisine is quite hearty, filled with soups, spices, and stewed meats that provide comfort even on the coldest days of the year. Despite its calorie-rich gastronomy, depending on the time you visit the country, you can find a few summery dishes perfect for enjoyment in the warmer months, especially in the southern regions.
Maybe you are wondering:
What are the traditional Hungarian dishes?
You probably already know some typical Hungarian dishes, such as the famous Goulash or Langos; however, in this list, we have decided to introduce you to 11 dishes that will transport you directly to Hungary, at least virtually.
Meggyleves | Gulyás | Halászlé | Töltött Káposzta| Lecsó | Paprikás Csirke | Pörkölt | Palacsinta | Dobos Cake | Langos | Kürtöskalács | F&Q | Conlcusions
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Hungarian Food: Soups & Starters
MEGGYLEVES (Sour Cherry Soup)
We begin with a somewhat peculiar Hungarian dish; the first time I tried it, I wasn’t sure if I was ordering a soup or a dessert, and the truth is that it can be considered a delicious hybrid.
Did you know that Hungary cultivates cherries? Well, if the answer is no, I didn’t know either, but for generations, this sweet and sour, refreshing, and delicious soup has been prepared to make the most of the fresh cherry harvest.
This soup is popular during warm days in Hungary, and the first time I tried this dish it was at Lake Balaton, also known as the Sea of Hungary, for its grandeur and beauty.
GULYÁS (Goulash) – Hungarian dishes
Who doesn’t know this typical Hungarian dish, or at least its various variations that exist all over the world?
Gulyás, or goulash among friends, in Hungarian cuisine, is not considered a stew, as most people think, but a soup, as it is quite liquid.
This Hungarian dish has been prepared since time immemorial as a comforting sustenance for the ox-herders working in the country’s plains. They needed hearty dishes to work in all weather conditions, providing them with the necessary energy.
Nowadays, it is undoubtedly the national dish; it’s impossible for restaurants not to offer their more or less gastronomic version, although the ingredients are always the same, evoking the very essence of Hungarian cuisine.
HALÁSZLÉ (Fisherman’s Soup)– Hungarian dishes
Halászlé is one of the most typical dishes in Hungarian cuisine. As a tradition, it is usually eaten almost exclusively once a year, often at Christmas, just like in Mika’s native country, the Czech Republic.
The base of this fisherman’s soup is fresh freshwater fish, usually carp, cooked with vegetables and spices, and with a spicy touch that gives authenticity to this typical Hungarian dish. It is believed that the soup, prepared with fresh and newly caught fish, brings good fortune and prosperity to those who enjoy it.
Therefore, it is regularly consumed on important days such as Christmas festivities (I’ve seen people keeping the carp in the bathtub for a few days to ensure it’s as fresh as possible).
Hungarian Food: Main Dishes
TÖLTÖTT KÁPOSZTA (Cabbage Rolls)
Naturally, it is a typical Hungarian dish rooted in popular traditions, created by farmers who needed to prepare hearty meals for themselves and their families with what they had on hand.
The first time I tried this dish we were at the Central Market in Budapest, and despite the day being quite hot, I enjoyed it a lot.
It is definitely one of the most common typical Hungarian dishes and one that you won’t have a hard time finding in restaurants and gastronomy throughout the country.
LECSÓ (Vegetable Stew) – Hungarian dishes
For my personal taste, it is one of the most delicious preparations in the entire recipe book of typical Hungarian cuisine.
Unlike almost all the other Hungarian dishes, it is typically a vegetarian dish, as it takes advantage of the harvest of vegetables to extract the maximum flavor from tomatoes and peppers, which, along with onions, are the main ingredients of this preparation.
This colorful stew is often referred to as the Hungarian version of ratatouille, but in my modest opinion, it has nothing to do with it (aside from some ingredients), as it has its distinctive flavors that make this dish exceptional.
What more can I say, a typical Hungarian dish that is definitely worth tasting.
PAPRIKÁS CSIRKE (Paprika Chicken)
We couldn’t write a post about typical Hungarian food without a chicken dish, right?
This chicken stew gets its authenticity from being, as the word itself suggests, loaded with paprika, which works exceptionally well in this preparation. Creamy, rich, juicy (when well done), hearty;
I don’t know what other adjectives to use to describe one of the typical Hungarian dishes that everyone enjoys.
We liked it a lot, and we also prepare this dish at home when we have plenty of paprika on hand.
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PÖRKÖLT (Meat Stew) – Hungarian dishes
Pörkölt is what anyone would define as an authentic Goulash, although I’ve already explained that Goulash in Hungary is a soup.
This is because, although its preparation is quite similar to goulash, its final result is more concentrated, as if we were talking about a classic stew.
Slow-cooked to tenderize the meat, it is added with onions, paprika, and various spices, like practically all the main courses in Hungarian gastronomy.
Although in its most classic version, it is served with potatoes, it is not uncommon to find it served with rice or vegetables. This Hungarian dish is the Goulash (non-goulash) you were looking for.
Hungarian Food: Desserts
PALACSINTA (Hungarian Crepes)– Hungarian dishes
I know that purists might say that Hungarian palacsinta is a version of the French crepe, and the truth is that, while I’m not certain, it could be ture.
Nevertheless, I can say with certainty that this sweet preparation has been made in Hungary since ancient times (as in the rest of Eastern Europe), considering it a distinctly Hungarian dish. As you can imagine, they are thin sheets of cooked batter that are very versatile, filled with jams, chocolates, or other ingredients, both sweet and savory.
Although in this case, we have included it in the sweet section of this post, you might be interested to know that there is a quite famous savory version called the ‘Hortobágyi palacsint,’. You can easily find this Hungarian dish in many restaurants and it is very tasty.
We always like to finish our meals with something sweet, and the palacsinta is the perfect dessert to do it.
DOBOS TORTE (Dobos Cake) – Hungarian dishes
This cake is a classic dessert in Hungary, even though its popularity and creation are credited to one person, József Dobos.
Mr. Dobos, a Pastry Chef and owner of a famous shop, upon returning from a trip across Europe, decided to use buttercream and chocolate in his desserts.
Through experimentation, he created a cake with 5-6 layers alternating between sponge cake and cream, culminating in a rich and decadent layer of glazed caramel.
Now, all bakeries make their version of this cake, and during our trips, I’ve seen versions of this cake with many more layers than the original one.
Still, tell me one thing, without having to count how many layers it actually has, hasn’t reading the ingredients of this cake made you want to try it? For me, once again, YES, but I’ll have to wait until my next visit to this amazing country.
Hungarian Dishes: Sweet And Salty Street Food
LANGOS (“Almost” Fried Pizza)– Hungarian dishes
A great classic of street food that you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Hungary is Langos.
Basically, Langos are fried circular doughs that will make you fall in love with their simplicity and delicious bite after bite.
This has been, in all my visits, the most consumed of all the dishes I’ve just listed; I always set a goal to find the best Langos in the city of Budapest.
Although this typical Hungarian street food is now served with different ingredients, in the basic version, it comes with garlic, cheese, and sour cream.
Its versatility and ease of preparation make it a popular choice for those looking for a quick and delicious bite, perfect for locals or tourists.
KÜRTÖSKALÁCS (Chimney Roll)– Hungarian dishes
The first time I tried these delicious sweet rolls was in the wrong country, in the Czech Republic; in fact, they had another name, but they were equally delicious.
Over time, just with my first trip to Hungary, I discovered that Kürtöskalács, the characteristic chimney-shaped rolls, are indeed a dish in Hungarian cuisine.
In fact, as you’ve seen in the description above, they are popular street sweets, widely consumed at festivals, squares, or celebrations. Grilled and covered with sugar and nuts, these sweet rolls are, as already mentioned, a symbol of festivities, now offered to tourists 365 days a year.
Definitely, if you’re a lover of sweets or street food, you absolutely can’t miss them in Hungary.
Frequently asked questions about Paraguayan food – Hungarian dishes
Where does Hungarian cuisine originate?
- Hungarian cuisine has its roots in a combination of historical, geographical, and cultural influences that have evolved over the years. Naturally, as you can imagine, Hungarian dishes fuse elements of popular traditions with the ingredients offered by the beautiful land of this country.
What is Hungarian food like?
- Hungarian food is known for its strong and distinctive flavor, featuring hearty and calorific dishes, perfect for the harsh temperatures of the country. The cuisine is often highlighted by the generous use of spices, especially paprika—lots of paprika. Stews, soups, bread, and cakes are fundamental elements of Hungarian cuisine, always enriched with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and the typical sausages called klobasas.
What is the main spice used in Hungarian cuisine?
- If you’ve read the previous question, you’ll know what we’re talking about. Paprika is the main spice used in Hungarian dishes. Its smoky yet sweet flavor is crucial in many dishes, almost all of them, contributing that characteristic touch we could call ‘the Hungarian touch.’
Why is Hungary obsessed with paprika?
- Well, to the eyes of Hungarians, using paprika is normal. However, to an average tourist with little knowledge of the history of this country, it might seem that Hungary and its inhabitants are obsessed with paprika. This is due to its historical and cultural influence, which over the years has made it the most widely used ingredient in the entire recipe book. The most accredited version is that, given the scarcity of pepper and their limited resources, the population had to make food with what they had, and at that time, it was paprika. Whether this is the true story or not, one thing is certain—paprika is used a lot in Hungary.
What is Hungary’s national dish?
- Gulyás, or goulash in English, as explained in the recipe description, is considered Hungary’s national dish. It is a highly flavorful spiced meat stew, appreciated for its simplicity and rich flavors.
Conclusions – Hungarian dishes
Here we finish our delicious list of the 11 typical Hungarian dishes that we recommend to try on your next trip there.
Did you know about these Hungarian dishes?
Do you know some other dishes you think we should add to this list?
We know that Hungarian gastronomy offers a much broader range than you might like, so if you find or already know a dish from this cuisine that you like, we invite you to write to us in the comments.
As you can imagine, we love talking about food and trying new things. Now it’s time to say goodbye, but we see you again in our next post!
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