Experiencing Hungarian food in Budapest

No matter where you go for your vacation or what you plan to do and see, a common and essential element in all holidays is food. After all, it is through food that one understands the locals and the culture. The tourists and locals come together and develop bonds over some great food. In case you are planning to go to Budapest, then visiting Instagram worthy sites and spas should not be your only agenda. You are in one of the best cities to discover and enjoy the local Hungarian food.

Take a food tour Budapest to know and understand Hungarian cuisine. Hungarian food is well known for its superb beverages and meat dishes in a large number of varieties. The only way to experience the best of Hungarian cuisine is to take a locally guided food tour with an expert. Or, you might miss out on some of the most popular foods and dishes. As they say, the right way to know and understand a country is by learning about its gastronomy and trying out those signature dishes.

Here are some of the most popular dishes to place on your journey of Hungarian gastronomy.

Töltött káposzta – Töltött káposzta is a popular dish and is actually stuffed cabbage. The Hungarian speciality is generously flavoured with paprika and is made of cabbage leaves that are stuffed with pork and beef, rice. Százéves Restaurant serves the best Töltött káposzta, and you can enjoy the comforting dish with live music.

Goulash– Another of the most popular Hungarian dishes is Goulash. The rich and fulfilling meal is an authentic food, and almost every region in Hungary has its own version of the classic dish.

Goulash is a blend of soup and stew and is made with beef and with a liberal addition of potato and carrot.

It is a must to try out Goulash as it is a means for preserving Hungarian identity. Rosenstein Restaurant and Gettó Gulyás’ create a plethora of goulash options.

Kürtőskalács– Also known as Chimney Cakes, the sweet treats are made from sugary dough wrapped around cone spits and brushed with butter. The sugar caramelises as the cakes are roasted over charcoal and create a crispy coating. Kürtőskalács are served with cinnamon or ground walnuts and can be enjoyed during festive seasons. Although you can enjoy the Chimney cakes just about everywhere in Budapest, the most popular spots are Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street and Molnár’s Kürtőskalács Kávézó.

Túrós Csusza – You will never forget the taste of Túrós Csusza, once you try this dish. It is a traditional Hungarian dish that is made of pasta with cottage cheese and crispy bacon. The one-course main dish is cheap and filling.

Try out the Hungarian pasta specialities in different flavours and the best restaurants to try out Túrós Csusza is Cuckoo Inn. Enjoy the comforting food served in generous portions.

Lángos – Lángos is a deep-fried flatbread, and the classic comfort food is slathered with sour cream, garlicky butter, and grated cheese. You can enjoy this hearty snack all year round in Budapest and almost at every corner. It is a delight to dig in the soft insides of the bread with a crispy exterior. Retro Bufe and eateries beside the Lake Balafon serve the best Lángos.

Photo: www.facebook.com/langospapa

Dobos Torte – The legendary cake was the creation of the Hungarian confectioner József C. Dobos. He introduced dobos torte in 1885, and the sponge cake layered with chocolate and topped with caramel was an instant hit with the Hungarian.

Today, Dobos Torte enjoys a prominent place in the list of Hungarian dishes.

You can try the delectable masterpiece at Desszert Szalon and a simple kosher bakery, Fröhlich Cukrászda. It is a joy to devour those delicate sponge layers spread with chocolate buttercream.