Gastronomía

Magyar Flavors: The Kingdom of Paprika

Hungarian cuisine is much more than goulash. It is a robust, tasty cuisine full of history, with deep roots in Magyar traditions and Ottoman and Austrian influences. Paprika is the undisputed queen, providing color and flavor (sweet or spicy) to countless dishes. It is a cuisine of slow stews, hearty soups and memorable desserts.

Platos Imprescindibles

Gulyás (Goulash)

Contrary to popular belief, authentic Hungarian Goulash is a rich, hearty soup, not a stew. It is made with pieces of beef, potatoes, vegetables and a generous amount of paprika. It is the national dish par excellence.

Lángos

A popular street food. It is a fried dough, crispy on the outside and spongy on the inside. The classic version is eaten spread with garlic, sour cream (tejföl) and grated cheese.

Csirkepaprikás (Chicken Paprika)

A classic homemade dish. Chicken thighs simmered in a creamy paprika and sour cream sauce. It is traditionally served with 'nokedli', a type of pasta or small gnocchi.

Töltött Káposzta (Stuffed Cabbage)

Fermented cabbage leaf rolls (sauerkraut) filled with minced meat and rice, cooked in a tasty sauce and served with a dollop of sour cream. A typical winter and celebration dish.

Halászlé (Fisherman's Soup)

A river fish soup (usually carp) of a deep red color due to the large amount of spicy paprika. It is a traditional dish from the Danube and Tisza region, especially popular at Christmas.

Pörkölt

This is the stew. It is a thick meat stew (beef, pork or chicken) with a rich onion and paprika-based sauce, often served with 'nokedli' or potatoes.

Bebidas Típicas

Wine (Bor)

Hungary has a long winemaking tradition. In addition to the famous Tokaji Aszú, don't miss the robust red from Eger, known as 'Egri Bikavér' (Bull's Blood from Eger), or the fresh whites from the Lake Balaton region.

Pálinka

The national brandy, a powerful fruit distillate. It can be apricot (barackpálinka), pear, plum or cherry. It is drunk in a single gulp as an aperitif or digestif, and is a symbol of hospitality.

Unicum

A dark and bitter herbal liqueur, with a secret recipe containing over 40 herbs and spices. It is aged in oak barrels and drunk as a digestif. Its round bottle is unmistakable.

Fröccs

The summer drink. It is a wine spritzer, a mixture of wine (usually white or rosé) and sparkling water. There is a whole culture around proportions, with different names for each mixture.