Irresistible snacks at Lake Balaton: The secret behind fried hake and the best ice cream

Beach season is approaching rapidly as the days are getting warmer and warmer in Hungary. During an exhausting day at Lake Balaton, you might get hungry eventually. What are Hungarian’s top snack picks at the beach? And more importantly, what is the secret behind them?

What the heck is hake?

Eating some kind of fish near water sounds quite convenient. We all imagine that the fish were caught that morning by local fishermen. However, this could not be further from the truth… As Travelo writes, hake is certainly not native to Lake Balaton, or any lakes in Hungary. Hake is native to the Atlantic coast of Europe, from northern Scandinavia and Iceland to North Africa.

Hake can grow up to 1.4 meters long and weigh up to 15 kilograms. Despite their potential size, they’re typically caught young, so they’re smaller, weighing between 0.35 and 0.5 kilograms when caught.

Why not opt for something local?

It is only natural to wonder why freshwater fish from our local lakes are not often featured on beach buffet menus. The reason is quite simple: nothing beats hake’s superior quality. Luckily, it contains very few splinters, is easy to season well, its white flesh peels easily from the backbone when cooked, and has a pleasant taste. In addition, when washed well, it does not have the characteristic fishy smell.

Hake is an excellent choice all year round, but it is best during those summer days at Lake Balaton. It is usually served in a spicy, floury batter, fried in oil and served with bread, fermented cucumbers or a pickle. Sometimes with a salad and chips on the side.