The best Hungarian dishes that you must try

Both Hungarians and foreigners visiting the country know that the Hungarian gastronomy is characteristic for its delicious and spicy foods, refined throughout the centuries. If you have not yet tried any Hungarian dishes, then this list, compiled by magyarorszagom.hu, might come in handy.

Broth

You will surely find a pot of gold like broth on a Hungarian table during holidays or family gatherings. It’s made from vegetables, cattle, chicken or turkey meat, with added pasta, usually spiced up a bit with hot pepper.

Fisherman’s soup

Another Hungarian favourite is the fisherman’s soup, for which there are three different recipes: the one from the Danube region, one from the Tisza region and one from the Lake Balaton region. Traditionally, the Hungarian fisherman’s soup is made from carp, as its meat does not fall apart during boiling. It is also essential to use red pepper and onions when cooking this soup. Some versions suggest adding pasta, others suggest preparing the carp without removing its insides, but if you like fish, you will surely fall in love with this soup.

Stew

There aren’t strict rules as to what type of meat should be used when cooking stews, chicken, turkey, beef or pork can all be used, but you should never forget to add red pepper and onions. Hungarians usually eat stew with potatoes or with nokedli (a kind of gnocchi), and they especially like leavened cucumbers on the side. 

Goulash

Goulash is a very thick and rich soup, usually served as a main dish, not as a soup. It is very strange and uncommon to prepare goulash from chicken or turkey – beef, pork and veal are preferred. It’s very rich in vegetables, like potatoes and beans, and it’s usually seasoned with garlic, onions and, of course, red pepper. It is usually served with bread, and you can add some sour cream or hot pepper as well.