food

Hungarians break Guinness record with kilometres-long sausage – PHOTOS, VIDEO

A Hungarian village broke an astonishing record yesterday by making an almost 4-kilometre-long sausage.

Sajóvámos organised the 10th Vámos-Toros Day Festival on Saturday, 3 February. They started the work with an ambitious goal: they wanted to set a new Guinness record concerning sausage length.

Győrvár set the previous record with 3,490 metres on 1 February 2020. Sajóvámos wanted to ‘get back’ that trophy.

The record-breaking sausage was made of 3 tonnes of ingredients. The work lasted from 7 AM until 4 minutes after midnight. But the result was astonishing: a 3,972 metre-long sausage officially recognised on the spot.

According to boon.hu, 14 people worked in Gyula Farkas’s team.

Read also:

  • The BEST homemade sausage recipe – Read it HERE
  • Gyulai or Csabai? – On the hunt for the best Hungarian sausage – HERE is our article

Here are some photos and videos:

Here are the 5 best vegan places in Budapest – PHOTOS, UPDATED

January is the month of the vegans, and such restaurants are no longer hard to find in Budapest. Szeretlek Magyarország collected the five best ones in an article to help everybody looking for a restaurant that offers this type of food.

1. Szabad Új Hely

Szabad Bisztró was the first vegan pub in Budapest. The owners opened a new restaurant in Budapest’s 8th district, the Szabad Új Hely (1084, 30 Víg Street).

You can find only vegan drinks here and it is also a perfect bistro. You can eat classics transformed into tasty vegan dishes like Hungarian layered potatoes, cheese burger or Hortobágy-style pancake without meat, and Hungarian gnocchi.

Szeretlek Magyarország’s author chose NemFish & Chips, which included French fries with peas purée and remoulade. NemFish was a fried jackfruit mixed with algae, perfectly spiced.

They have a daily lunch menu for only HUF 2890 (EUR 7.5), comprising two courses.

2. PINGRUMBA

Pingrumba is not a vegan place, but thanks to its Middle Eastern kitchen, it has many kinds of vegetables on its menu. Therefore, they can serve vegan dishes like hummus dukkah, muhammara, beetroot-lentil tabbouleh, fried parsnips, fried cauliflower, Middle Eastern house-made pickles and bread. The author’s favourite was the muhammara. That is a pepper cream with nuts, pomegranate, parsley and olive oil. Both its taste and texture were fantastic, the author wrote.

Furthermore, you can taste unique non-alcoholic drinks here.

Address: 1024, 6 Széll Kálmán Square

But they have another restaurant in Dob Street (Pest Side), Dobrumba (1074, 5 Dob Street).

Moto Pizza

They have a perfect vegan alternative, the Marinara, which costs only HUF 2,500 (EUR 6.5). There are only two original Naples pizzas protected by the European Union; one is Marinara.

There is San Marzano tomato sauce (D.O.P.) on the pizza dough with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, basil and oregano. Thanks to the high-quality ingredients, one can only adore it.

Address:

  • Moto Pest – 8 Madách Imre Street
  • Moto Buda – 46 Bartók Béla Street
  • Moto Rákóczi – 34 József Boulevard

Read also:

  • THESE are the best vegan restaurants in Budapest – with photos
  • HERE is another selection of the five best vegan restaurants in Budapest with photos from our author, Eleonora Jobst.

EPOCH Vegan Burger

Burgers are probably the most “veganised” food, even Burger King offers Plant-Based WHOPPER. EPOCH Vegan Burger is also a fast food restaurant offering only vegan burgers. The buns are perfect, toppings and sauces are diverse. The patty can contain mushrooms, oats, wheat or vegetables.

No burgers contain preservatives or artificial flavour enhancers. You can find EPOCH Vegan Burger in the 5th district (1053, 20 Királyi Pál Street, but they also offer home delivery.

Flow Specialty Coffee Bar & Bistro

Flow is like an office. Some of the people are studying, while others work or negotiate here. Therefore, you must order at the desk, but waiters and waitresses then carry the food to your table. Since the place is on Andrássy Avenue, English is a priority. But their cashier always speaks Hungarian and English, too.
.They have a changing menu but have quite a few stationery brunch offerings available all day (e.g. some of their signature dishes like the vegan goulash, and the vegan omelette).
The coffee bar is the strength of the place. If you want to taste any meals there, you should get there by 6 p.m. at the latest because that is when their kitchen closes.

Address: 1062, 66 Andrássy Avenue

Another Hungarian success: finalists at Gelato World Cup – PHOTOS

After a successful European Championship, the Hungarian team travelled to the 10th anniversary Gelato World Cup to showcase their exceptional talents.

Securing a prestigious bronze medal at the European Championship paved the way for the Hungarian team to participate in the Gelato World Cup.

Gelato World Cup

This globally renowned competition, synonymous with ice cream excellence, has been a venerable fixture in the gelato scene since 2003. Held biennially, the Gelato World Cup requires meticulous planning from the esteemed jury. This year, the competition took place in Rimini, located in Northern Italy.
Professionals from across the world, including gelato makers, pastry chefs, chefs and ice sculptors, gather to demonstrate their extraordinary talents.
The main objective of the Gelato World Cup is to spotlight the mastery of traditional artisan ice cream, contributing to the international advancement of the professional industry. Organisers also aim to showcase the latest trends in the pastry and artisan ice cream industry.

 

This could also interest you:

  • Read about how Budapest ranked one of the best cities in the world HERE.
  • Read about contestants or the next Nemzeti Vágta HERE.

The Hungarian team

Having already secured their place with a bronze medal at the European Championship, the Hungarian team’s progression to the Gelato World Cup was almost certainly guaranteed, according to the Hungarian Confectionery Guild. The team comprised Renáta Somogyi, István Gaborecz, Sándor Fodor, Zoltán Gácsi and Krisztián Füredi. These master pastry chefs showcased their prowess in various challenges throughout the Gelato World Cup, culminating in a well-deserved bronze medal. South Korea’s team claimed silver, while the defending champions, Italy, unsurprisingly clinched the top spot. Teams from around the world, including Argentina, Peru, China and Germany, also participated.

The competition

The Hungarian team embraced the theme “Alice’s Wonderland,” ensuring that all their tasks aligned with this enchanting concept. Over the four-day competition concluding on Monday, they crafted spectacular confectionary masterpieces. This included a variety of ice creams, adorned ice cream containers, ice cream cakes and frozen cup desserts. They presented three types of hot appetisers paired with gourmet savoury ice cream, an ice sculpture and artistic chocolate decorations.

A sculpture crafted with nougat and caramel was a notable highlight of their showcase, writes lelepo.hu. Additionally, they had to create milk and water-based ice cream using a surprise ingredient, randomly chosen for each team. The Hungarians skilfully paired blueberry and mascarpone. Every element and challenge seamlessly fitted into their chosen Wonderland theme. All in all, the Hungarian team delivered an astonishing performance throughout the Ice Cream World Cup.

 

VISUAL PLAN: Exceptionally beautiful McDonald’s in Budapest closes – UPDATED with photos

mcdonalds

As the final stage of its restaurant transformation programme, McDonald’s plans to close its restaurant in Nyugati Square for about six months. The fast food eatery in this frequented part of the Hungarian capital has several times been voted one of the most beautiful McDonald’s fast food restaurants in the world. The listed building will be rebuilt using special interior design elements and natural materials.

The building, located on the main wall shared with one of the architectural symbols of Budapest, the Nyugati Railway Station, is a historicist building, built in a mixture of neo-Renaissance and neo-Romanticism. These stylistic elements are still present in the restaurant today and will be retained after the renovation. However, the restaurant chain is preparing for a very 21st century dining experience, HellóMagyar writes.

The interior design is based on the McDonald’s RAY design concept, with unique mirrored glass surfaces, copper-clad lighting fixtures and a number of special but design-integrated furniture elements. All interior design elements will be made of real, natural materials: moulded terrazzo flooring and wood and copper cladding will be used. The decorative painting of the interior pillars will be done by a restorer.

mcdonalds
Visual plan for the interior of the McDonald’s at Nyugati Square, Budapest, Hungary. Source: McDonald’s

An important element of the renovation is that the current staggered layout of the lobby part of the guest area will be redesigned. The staircase currently descending to the serving counter will be eliminated and this section of the lobby will be raised to the entrance floor level. Guests will have access to the gallery and mezzanine level via a staircase on either side.

The restaurant will feature a food conveyor belt, which will transfer products between the two levels of the kitchen in a unique way among domestic McDonald’s restaurants. The so-called transporter will go all the way up to the gallery level. Guests will also be able to track the products through a glass box.

As part of the digital upgrade, the restaurant will feature both touch-screen kiosks and traditional cash registers. Diners will be able to place their order using these methods, or via the MyMeki® mobile phone app, and even order directly to their table.

“In 2019, we announced our domestic growth strategy and started a dynamic development of the network. This strategy consists of two main elements: opening new restaurants and renovating existing ones in line with the “Experience of the Future” concept.

We are completing the latter element of the strategy with the complete renewal of one of the most important units of our chain in Hungary,”

said Zsolt Égi, Managing Director of Progress Restaurant Network Ltd. (Progress Étteremhálózat Kft.), which operates McDonald’s restaurants in Hungary.

During the closure of the Nyugati Square restaurant, the chain’s units in Westend, Oktogon and Jászai Mari Square will remain open.

mcdonalds renovation
McDonald’s at Nyugati Square in Budapest, Hungary. Source: Daily News Hungary

Read also:

These are the top Hungarian patisseries in 2024

cafe

Everybody has a secret sweet tooth and now is the time to indulge yours! The Audi Dining Guide Top100 has finally arrived and it lists the top Hungarian patisseries around the country.

The Hungarian cuisine is excellent, especially when it comes to sweets. The past years have only proved this with Hungarians excelling in national and international competitions alike. Revolutionary visions of sweetness are made reality with increasing frequency. The Audi Dining Guide has spared us the miles of going through every pastry shop in the country and evaluating them. Now, we’re here to tell you where to look for the best bites! Check out the list and embark on a journey to taste these delights!

The best of Hungary

audi dining guide
Source: FB

The Audi Dining Guide Top100 Restaurant Guide has assorted for us the best of the country – capital and countryside alike. The winners include those who represent the French culinary scene in Hungary along with those who are going for a more traditional gastronomic experience for their visitors. Some are famous for their extravagant creations, others are for their more refined forms. Let’s not waste time any longer, here are the sweet top ten!

First place went to Málna The Pastry Shop this year. They have broken into the culinary scene with fervour and outbreaking success! They bring a special lightness into their creations which are absolutely unmissable.

Below, you can see which patisseries made it into the TOP10 of the Audi Dining Guide Top100 Restaurant Guide:

  • Málna The Pastry Shop
  • Auguszt József Patisserie
  • Bergmann Patisseries
  • Chouchou
  • DessertForYou
  • Gerbeaud Café
  • Harrer Chocolate Workshop and Patisserie
  • Kollázs Patisserie
  • Nour – Art Of Desserts
  • The Ritz-Carlton Budapest

TOP 7 countryside patisseries

Usually when a list says “the best of Hungary”, it mostly means Budapest. Well, to avoid this, the Audi Dining Guide has assembled the list of the top 7 countryside patisseries:

  • Harrer Chocolate Workshop and Patisserie – Sopron
  • Bergmann Patisseries – Balatonfüred
  • Desszertem – Miskolc
  • Le Téne Dessert Workshop & Café – Badacsony
  • Mónisüti – Gyenesdiás
  • Nour – Art Of Desserts – Budaörs
  • Sakura Patisserie – Nagymaros

The best of the best

dobos torta

Another important award that was given out this year is a brand new category from the Audi Dining Guide. The ‘best of the best’ rating only goes to, well, the best of the best. This was given to the Mihályi Patisserie which is located in Vác. It is a must visit spot for all those who have a strong sweet tooth.

This award is an especially nice gift for the Mihályi Patisserie’s 14th birthday. The founder, László Mihályi, brought his experience from abroad and incorporated it into the traditional Hungarian sweet scene. Allegedly, as magyarorszagom.hu writes, he was the one to introduce the so-called French pastry style into Hungary. Making the best of both worlds, the Mihályi Patisserie is offering a wide range of desserts from the Hungarian as well as the Italian and French culinary spectrum. You can order a simple Dobos cake from them and receive an unexpected take on the timeless classic, which won’t disappoint you.

Read also:

  • We wrote about Hungarian patisseries before HERE.
  • Read about this fantastic recipe idea HERE, if you want try your hand at baking a tasty snack for yourself.

CEE ministers press EC for steps to manage Ukraine grain glut

harvest tractor agriculture grain

Central and eastern European agriculture ministers have once again turned to the European Commission for support in managing the impact of market disturbances caused by the flood of grain imports from Ukraine, Minister of Agriculture István Nagy said on Monday.

In their letter to EC Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis and European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, the agriculture ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia gave an outline of the market losses their countries’ agricultural products suffered due to Ukrainian grain imports, Nagy said in a statement.

He said the flood of cheap Ukrainian grain was forcing central and eastern European farmers out of their traditional export markets. The minister said that in addition to high production costs, price and revenue risks and adverse weather conditions, the influx of Ukrainian grain caused extra concern for farmers in the region.

Nagy said that because these five countries were key contributors to Europe’s food security given their grain exports, Brussels had a duty to take steps to protect their markets and give them the opportunity to exploit their export potential. One way of doing this, he added, was to introduce tariffs on the “most sensitive agricultural products”.

The minister said he and his counterparts were calling on the EC to prepare a report on how Ukraine’s agricultural production regulations comply with EU regulations.

read also:

PHOTOS: These are the best vegan restaurants in Budapest!

Tökmag vegan sztrapacska

The Hungarian cuisine is famous for its hearty meaty delights, but fear not, fellow vegetarians and vegans – there are some amazing vegan restaurants in Budapest. Even if you are a meat lover, these hidden gems will tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Kozmosz

Kozmosz is located in downtown Budapest, under 11 Hunyadi Square. This charming restaurant is the place to go for a delightful lunch or dinner. The eatery offers a great variety of meat-free delicacies that will even impress meat lovers. From gyros to stew, their culinary creations are so tasty you won’t believe they’re plant-based. It’s the perfect spot for family gatherings, meetups with friends or a leisurely lunch during your office break.

Kozmosz vegan restaurant
Source: Facebook / Kozmosz Vegán Étterem

VegaCity

A stone’s throw from the Hungarian National Museum, VegaCity stands as a culinary oasis where you can find everything. From Indian delicacies to Italian pasta specialties, this eatery entices with weekly meals infused with both Hungarian and Eastern flavours. Rest assured, every dish is crafted with love and plant-based goodness.

VegaCity Indian food
Source: Facebook / VegaCity

Epoch Vegan Burger

Nestled in the heart of Budapest, at 20 Királyi Pál Street in District 5, Epoch Vegan Burger, though undergoing a name change, remains a bastion of exceptional food. Many say that it oozes the vibes of a classic fast-food restaurant. If you’re missing the Golden Arches, this is your spot. Take your pick from a colourful range of burgers or tantalising tortillas, all accompanied by a side of perfectly crisp fries. Gluten intolerant? Fret not, as there are delightful options awaiting you.

EPOCH Vegan Burger
Source: Facebook / EPOCH Vegan Burger

Tökmag Vegan Street Food

Located in the 13th district, beneath 5 Hollán Ernő Street, Tökmag Vegan Street Food may appear petite from the outside, but step in, and you’ll discover how spacious it is. If you have a sweet tooth, this place will make you feel you have landed in heaven. Tökmag boasts a great variety of vegan sweets and cakes. In addition, you can enjoy burgers and pasta specialities too. Just look at this mouthwateringly delicious sztrapacska:
Source: Facebook / Tökmag Vegan Street Food

Botané – Mentes Vegán Étterem

Can’t make up your mind? Botané comes to the rescue with daily menus on weekdays from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Packed with protein and flavour, their nutritious meals showcase Hungarian classics like goulash, with a vegan twist. The daily offer – a soup, a main dish and dessert – is a steal at only HUF 2,300 (EUR 6). Budget-friendly and gluten-free options available. Located at 3 Szabolcska Mihály Street in the 11th district, but fear not, you can also savour their delights by ordering online. Bon appétit!

Botané daily menu offer vegan
Source: Facebook / Botané – Mentes Vegán Étterem

Read also:

Supermarkets in Hungary must indicate if food packaging shrinks

food store spar inflation price hungary (2)

A new government measure will oblige food retailers with sales revenue of more than 1 billion forints (EUR 2.6m) to provide labelling that indicates shrinkflation, the economy ministry said on Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said the government was doing everything it could to protect families and was combatting consumer deception amid difficult economic circumstances.

In parallel with stagnant or rising prices of some produce, the size of packaging has been shrinking in many countries, the statement said, with consumers getting less for their money.

The benchmark for the reduction in weight or volume will be packaging of a given product between January 1, 2020 and July 1, 2023, and retailers must provide information for 2 months of the reduced size of the product, the ministry said.

Producers and suppliers in Hungary will have to inform retailers of any reductions to the size of packaging. The consumer protection authority will take action in the case of non-compliance.

Consumers can also access a public database on the national food chain safety authority’s (NÉBIH) website.

The measure is scheduled to be implemented in the first half of February, the statement said.

The ministry also said that whereas 2023 was the year in which inflation was tamed, steps were being taken to restart growth, and the target in 2024 was for the economy to grow by 4 percent. Measures aim to boost confidence and consumption, maintain an investment rate above 25 percent and further increase labour market activity, it added.

As we wrote on Monday, significant price rises are to come in the Hungarian hospitality industry, details HERE.

Significant price rises to come in Hungarian hospitality industry

restaurant

Although last year wasn’t kind to the industry either, this year already started with a price hike. For restaurants and hotels alike, a good 8-10% increase is expected, even surpassing inflation.

One would think now that the energy prices have dropped, prices would finally stop going up, but that’s not the case. Costs keep on rising, partly due to salary increases. Still, the same goes for everybody, the only thing that differs is the solution that the restaurants opt for. This means that the price change may vary from restaurant to restaurant.

Business owners react all around the country

In Békéscsaba, the manager of the Slovak Restaurant and Guesthouse, Ildikó Szabóné Szaszák, spoke of the coming troubles and how they plan to solve the issue. According to her grasp on the issue, they will need to raise prices by at least 10%. She said they will try to raise the prices around mid to late January. Their prices will go up in every service, including delivery. This is mainly because of the high gasoline prices, not only the increased wages.

In Pécs, the Megyeri Burgers restaurant is opting for another solution: a modification of opening hours. They tried for the widely used option, since they are already experiencing a slowdown in traffic. They now welcome guests from 5 PM instead of 11 AM on weekdays, closing at 11 PM. Cutting out the lunch rush, they hope for a moderate price hike in the future.

They have already inreased their prices last year, closing shop for the old year with a proper bang. Regarding the issue, the restaurant’s co-owner, Róbert Varga, told Index that “at the end of the year, we were forced to make a 5% price correction. Hopefully, there will be some positive economic changes in the near future that will allow us to leave the prices untouched this year.”

In Győr, at the Klasszis Bistro restaurant, prices are not changing for now. Here, the owner, István Horváth, explained their tactic for the economic drought. He said they tried to reduce costs, wherever they can. In his words, “we try to obtain equipment that consumes less electricity and, through tenders, we attempt to utilise solar energy”. This is an accurate overview of how the restaurants try to cope with the rising prices.

Official response

According to the president of the Hospitality Industry Association, owners all across the country are cautious. Most fear their customer base will desert them if they try to pass the increased costs onto them. In the previous year, the businesses that have opted for the strategy have suffered significantly more, and their turnover decreased.

In the global respect, Hungary is still considered cheap, and has not lost its status on the ‘budget countries’ list. Especially Budapest, which is famous for being the “Paris of Eastern Europe”, with the prices to match. This is why in the coming year, those located in Budapest may experience a larger increase than the national average. President of the Hungarian Hospitality Association, Tamás Flesch, stated that the expected price hike for the next year will be around 10%.

This drastic rise is a multi-component issue, he said. Despite the first look, where we can see the fall in the global energy prices, the domestic hospitality industry’s prices will keep on going up. This has many elements to it. One being the fact that most hotels buy electricity and gas on the market. Another fact worth mentioning is the expected sky-rocketing of the water prices. Add to it all the significant cost increase in terms of wages and you have the whole picture.

Read also:

Hungarian New Year’s foods for good luck – RECIPES

New Year's foods - lentil stew

As the year draws to a close, each nation embraces its unique set of beliefs and traditions to ring in the New Year with optimism. Around the world, people engage in various customs to invite good luck into the coming year. Italians wear something red on the final day of the year for prosperity in the upcoming one, while in the Philippines, a tradition involves consuming 12 round fruits—one for each month—to ensure good fortune throughout the year. How about Hungarians? What are the traditional Hungarian New Year’s foods to secure your luck for the coming year?

New Year’s foods for good fortune

Hungarians are known for their rich collection of folk superstitions for each season, with New Year traditions being of particular interest. On the 1st of January, nearly everyone feasts on lentils or roast pig. Why, you ask? Superstition has it that consuming lentils invites wealth. Pork is also linked to good luck, as the robust four-legged creature symbolically ‘pushes out luck,’ in contrast to a chicken or hen, which tends to scrape it away. Turkeys are believed to bring conflicts, so they are best avoided on New Year’s Eve, and fish, typically enjoyed at Christmas, is considered ill-fated on New Year’s Day.

According to tradition, even the choice of dessert holds significance. Opting for fruit and strudel is advisable. The longer the strudel on the table, the longer and happier life will be. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit on 1 January, if you want your year to be fruitful. Here are some Hungarian New Year’s foods that will ensure your good fortune for 2024!

The unbeatable lentil soup

Lentils can be incorporated into your New Year’s Day meal in various ways. Whether in a “főzelék,” a lentil-infused goulash, or an unbeatable lentil soup, here’s a recipe from Nosalty to set the tone:

Ingredients

  • 50 ml olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 spring onions
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon Roman cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 30 dkg canned tomatoes (1 can)
  • 200 g lentils (1 cup)
  • 1.5 l stock juice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 50 g spinach (2 handfuls)
  • parsley
  •  50 ml olive oil

Preparation

  1. Finely dice the vegetables, grate the garlic, and sort and wash the lentils.
  2. Add the three types of onions and the carrots to the heated olive oil and sauté, stirring constantly, until the onions are translucent.
  3. Then add the spices: curry powder, ground cumin, chilli flakes, coriander seeds and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add the tomatoes, the canned tomatoes and the lentils and pour in the stock. Add the bay leaves and cook over a medium heat.
  5. When the lentils are soft, remove the bay leaves. Transfer half of the soup to a bowl, blend until creamy, then return to the soup pot.
  6. Add the baby spinach and a good sprinkling of chopped parsley, then simmer for a few more minutes to allow the greens to shrink a little.
  7. Serve warm, with a few drops of lemon juice and a generous sprinkling of parsley.

Crispy pork ribs

Pork offers versatile preparation options, and here’s an easy yet delicious crispy pork ribs recipe from Nosalty that the whole family will love. If lentil soup isn’t on your menu, why not add lentils as a side to this mouthwatering dish?

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp lard
  • 1 kg of pork ribs
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1.5 tsp smoked red pepper
  • pepper

Preparation

  1. Mix the spices and liberally sprinkle them over both sides of the ribs.
  2. Place the lard in a jénai dish (or any other heatproof dish) and position the ribs on top. Cover and place in the oven at 130°C for five hours. Turn the ribs over after 2.5 hours, basting occasionally with the gravy.
  3. When tender, remove the lid and bake at 200°C until it forms a nice crust. Allow the meat to rest for ten minutes before slicing.

Tip: The gravy can be used to make a delicious sauce, thickened with a little flour.

Whether it’s the hearty lentil soup or the crispy pork ribs, these delicious Hungarian New Year’s foods are guaranteed to bring good fortune for the coming year. May your New Year be rich in prosperity and culinary delights!

Read also:

Iconic Hungarian sweet turned world-famous: Macskanyelv, or Cat’s Tongue

candy, sweets

If you grew up in Hungary or you visited the country in the 70s-80s, you may have heard or even tried the Hungarian sweet called macskanyelv (literally ‘cat tongue’). How did this bizarre-sounding chocolate become world-famous and what flavour variations do we know? Read on to find out.

The macskanyelv chocolate, which is now considered a retro confection, can be considered a Hungarian “invention”. It is widely available in many flavours throughout Europe. However, the chocolate also had a predecessor: a crispy tea cake that most resembled a sponge cake, magyarorszagom.hu writes. In France and England, it was a favourite with tea and coffee. Its name derives simply from its shape, which resembles a cat’s tongue.

The Gerbeaud confectionery in Budapest

cafe
gerbeaud.hu

Inspired by this cat’s tongue-shaped cake, Emil Gerbeaud created the cat’s tongue chocolate in Hungary. The master confectioner was of Swiss origin who settled in Hungary in 1884, where he became a partner in Henrik Kugler’s confectionery business and opened the still busy Gerbeaud confectionery shop on Vörösmarty Square. They began selling several of their own sweets.

By 1892, the macskanyelv had spread throughout Europe and then the world. The quality of the chocolate was a major factor in its success, and its popularity peaked during the socialist era.

Nationalisation in 1948

square, old, Budapest, building
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

After WWII, the confectionery on Vörösmarty Square was nationalised in 1948. It was only in 1984 that it was able to take back the Gerbeaud name. At that time, the inscription “Gerbeaud” was put back in its old place on the façade of the Gerbeaud House, magyarorszagom.hu writes. The confectionery kept up the tradition and the pastry chefs passed on the professional knowledge left behind by the former pastry chef from generation to generation, so the popular “Zserbó” pastry shop has kept its world reputation. Since the year of its foundation, no one has questioned its professional excellence.

Multiple flavours of macskanyelv

candy, sweets
Cat tongue
Photo: facebook.com/ChristisChoco

The macskanyelv is nowadays typically made of milk chocolate and dark chocolate. In some places, you can find a white chocolate version, or macskanyelv filled with marzipan. Which one is your favourite?

Read also:

Two mouth-watering Hungarian retro pastries the whole family will love

coconut biscuit roll, recipe

Christmas, apart from the presents and being together with our loved ones, is all about food. And rightly so: Christmas dishes all around the world are as scrumptious as it gets. Hungary boats some delicious Christmas foods as well, and among them are pastries, cakes and cookies. Below are two of the best retro Hungarian pastries that will make you crave for some more.

The unbeatable Kókuszkocka (literally ‘coconut cube’)

In my humble opinion, kókuszkocka is one of the best desserts out there. It’s not rocket science to make it and you don’t need to buy up the whole store for it.

Here is what you need:

Ingredients

For the ‘cube’:

  • 40 dkg flour
  • 2 dl milk
  • 8 dkg butter or margarine
  • 1 packet of baking powder (12 g)
  • 20 dkg icing sugar
  • 1 tablespoons of melted honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 packet of vanilla sugar

For the chocolate glaze:

  • 25 dkg butter or margarine
  • 3 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 25 dkg sugar
  • 1 dl milk

For the rolling:

  • 1 packet of coconut flakes

And here is how to make it:

Preparation

  1. To make the dough of the retro coconut cubes, cream the melted butter with the icing sugar, then add the eggs one by one. Then add the honey and milk and finally the flour mixed with baking powder.
  2. Spread the mixture in a baking pan that is about 30×27 cm with a high wall, lined with baking paper, and bake at 180 degrees for about 25 minutes until light.
  3. Measure the ingredients for the chocolate glaze into a saucepan and boil together.
  4. When the dough has cooled, cut it into cubes. When the glaze has cooled to lukewarm, dip the dough in it with a fork and then roll it in the coconut flakes.

You can also watch how Mindmegette makes this amazing retro kókuszkocka below (the same recipe):

The irresistible Kókusztekercs (literally ‘coconut roll’)

Oh, this one is also coconuty. If you like coconut, then this article is definitely for you! Apart from kókuszkocka, kókusztekercs is also an all-time favourite of many of us, and if you decide to try it, you will see why.

Here is what you need:

Ingredients

  • 50 dkg ‘household biscuits’ (háztartási keksz in Hungarian)
  • 20 dkg icing sugar
  • 1 dl black coffee
  • 1 teaspoon of jam
  • 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder
  • 2 dl milk
  • 2 packets of vanilla sugar
  • 0,5 packet of coconut flakes
  • 20 dkg margarine
  • 20 dkg icing sugar

And here is how to make it, according to Mindmegette:

Preparation

  1. To make the coconut roll, mix the biscuit base ingredients thoroughly in a bowl (biscuits, icing sugar, black coffee, jam, cocoa powder)
  2. Mix the cream ingredients in another bowl until creamy (milk, vanilla sugar, coconut flakes, margarine, icing sugar).
  3. Next, sprinkle a little icing sugar and coconut flakes on a baking sheet, place the biscuit mixture on top and stretch it to half a centimetre thickness.
  4. Spread the cream on top of the mixture so that it covers the whole surface, then carefully roll it up.
  5. Leave to rest in the fridge for a few hours and then slice.
coconut biscuit roll, recipe
Photo: facebook.com/PalacsintaMindenkinek

Have a wonderful Christmas! 🎄

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New luxury hotel opens at Dobogókő

Cardoner Hotel

The Cardoner Hotel and Conference center opened just this week in the Visegrád Mountains. The four-star hotel awaits visitors with all kinds of luxury services. The Cardoner Hotel successfully merges luxury with the closeness of nature, providing a unique experience of Dobogókő.

A promising start

The building was originally given to the Jesuit Order in 1993 to compensate for their Manrésa grounds lost to the socialist nationalisation in the 1940s. To honor their lost estate, they named the compensationally received plot Manrésa Hotel. Since it was run by a religious organisation, events were regularly organised in the building by church and church-related organisations. After it closed, the operational tasks were taken over by the Service 4 You Hospitality Management Ltd., which runs the hotel now, writes turizmus.com. The building was thoroughly renovated and now awaits customers with 57 comfortable living units. Out of the 57, 43 are Classic, 9 are Superior, 3 are Deluxe Corner, and 2 are family rooms, which have a connected anteroom.

The hotel opened its doors on 15th of December, welcoming guests in the renewed Hotel Cardoner. Stepping in the spacious lobby with its natural stone flooring and crackling fireplace, guests are immediately flooded with the atmospheric feeling of Dobogókő.

Conference to commence!

Implied by the name as well, the Cardoner Hotel offers a wide range of possible locations for conferences and other such events. The hotel can accommodate up to 150 people in its main conference room. Additionally there are three section rooms, sequestered from the main conference room for more private events. All of the rooms are equipped with natural light.

From spring to autumn, there are also outdoor meeting locations in the park of the hotel for hosting an event even closer to nature. The park is filled with ancient trees and houses a garden pavilion. All of the above equals a place perfect for all kinds of meetings or events.

Fine Dining at the peak

The restaurant of the hotel brings the highest quality in every aspect. Their variety ranges from traditional Hungarian dishes to excellent game dinners. Along with the foods, the restaurant offers the finest wines from the nine best wine regions in Hungary. The experience is made whole by the fantastic view of the Visegrád Mountains thanks to the panoramic glazed terrace, which supplies diners with the best view in the house.

Peak Relaxation

The hotel also boasts an extensive wellness section with both inside and outside experiences. Inside guests can relax with a wide range of opportunities. Indoors guests can choose from several saunas, such as infrared sauna, biosauna and a Finnish sauna. There’s also a jacuzzi, a rain shower and a salt room, which is said to have great health benefits. The massage treatments are also an unmissable feature of the wellness services. Guests can also experience the unique sensation of weightlessness in the Float Spa premium floating tank.

The wellness experiences don’t stop there! The outside wellness area features a stunning outdoor swimming pool fed by a lovely waterfall located in the ancient tree park. Additionally, there’s also a wood-fired and an electrically heated hot tub, which gives guests a much closer feel of nature. It’s not only the hot tubs that provide this experience, since the hotel also has an outdoor Finnish sauna with a fantastic panoramic view of the Visegrád Mountains.

If visitors want to relax in a more active way, the hotel also offers a wide range of opportunities for local excursions and sports activities, such as sledding. There are also fantastic hike opportunities, and the Visegrád Castle isn’t far away either. HERE you may check out additional photos of the hotel.

  • Read more about Hungarian award winning hotels HERE.
  • Read more about another prestigious Hungarian hotel HERE.

Hungarian pancake tart recipe for cozy culinary adventures

pancake cake

As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like the warmth and comfort of a cozy kitchen filled with the scents of baking and cooking. Embrace the spirit of the season with a delightful Hungarian pancake tart – a whimsical creation that transforms the humble pancake into a show-stopping dessert, perfect for a cozy winter day.

Ingredients (for 4 people):

For the pancakes:

  • 250g (25dkg) flour
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 lemon (zest)
  • 25g (2.5dkg) yeast
  • 3 eggs
  • 100g (10dkg) granulated sugar
  • 1 pinch vanilla sugar
  • 300ml (3dl) milk
  • 200ml (2dl) whipping cream
  • 5dkg butter
  • Oil for greasing

To make the filling:

  • Chopped walnuts
  • Grated lemon zest
  • Icing sugar
  • Vanilla sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Your favourite jam

For the chocolate sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons food starch
  • 5dl milk (divided)
  • 120g chocolate
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 pinch vanilla sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Dutch cocoa
  • 2 tablespoons rum

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the pancake batter:

    • In a large bowl, mix flour with a pinch of salt, grated lemon zest and crumbled yeast.
    • In a separate bowl, beat eggs with granulated sugar and vanilla sugar until smooth.
    • Add milk, whipping cream, and melted butter to the egg mixture, stirring constantly.
    • Combine the flour mixture with the liquid ingredients until smooth. Let the batter rest for at least an hour.

  2. Prepare the fillings:

    • Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
    • For the nut filling, mix chopped walnuts with grated lemon zest, icing sugar, vanilla sugar and ground cinnamon.
    • Heat up your favourite jam for the fruit filling.

  3. Cooking the pancakes:

    • Grease a pancake pan with oil.
    • Pour a ladleful of the batter into the pan and fry only one side until golden brown.
    • Transfer the half-cooked pancake onto the prepared baking tray, fried side down, and sprinkle with the nut mixture.
    • Continue this process, layering pancakes with the nut and jam fillings.

  4. Baking the pancake cake:

    • Preheat the oven to 160°C.
    • Place the layered pancakes in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes.
    • Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool down on the baking tray.

  5. Prepare the chocolate sauce:

    • Mix starch with a little milk until smooth.
    • Heat up the rest of the milk, remove from heat, stir in chocolate until melted.
    • Add brown sugar, vanilla sugar, cocoa, rum and the starch-milk mixture. Return to heat, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Let it cool.

  6. Assemble and serve:

    • Once the pancake cake is completely cooled, drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top and sprinkle it with chopped walnuts.
    • Slice and serve the pancake tart, with the remaining chocolate sauce on the side.

This dessert tastes like a journey back in time, a nostalgic embrace of the comforting aromas in a Hungarian grandma’s kitchen. Beyond this classic walnut-peach jam-cocoa combo, this recipe opens the door to a world of possibilities, inviting you to experiment with various fillings, even venturing into the realm of savoury delights. Feel free to explore the art of Hungarian pancakes with our guide to Hungarian pancakes. Discover additional tips, variations and a deeper understanding of this culinary tradition.

Making this Hungarian pancake cake is not just a culinary experience. It’s a cozy winter activity that brings joy and indulgence to your home. So, gather around the kitchen, enjoy the process and savour the sweet symphony of Hungarian flavours!

PHOTO GALLERY: Csak a Mentes Christmas Festival delights health and eco-conscious visitors

Csak a Mentes 3
The four-time Bridge Budapest winner Csak a Mentes Christmas Festival, held last weekend, 9-10 December, at the RAM Theatre in Budapest, was a celebration of inclusivity, catering to individuals with food intolerances and those embracing specific diets such as veganism or paleo.

Csak a Mentes Christmas Festival

Founded in 2017 by Andrea Herczeg, the Csak a Mentes programme aims to bridge the gap between those with dietary restrictions and requirements and local companies and stores catering to them. The festival showcased a diverse array of products, ranging from gluten-free and dairy-free to vegan, zero-waste, chemical-free, organic, sugar-free and paleo.
The festival’s vibrant atmosphere was evident in the numerous colourful stands that adorned the RAM Theatre. Each stand was a testament to the diversity and creativity within the ‘clean-eating’ community. From natural skincare to zero waste and chemical-free household products, visitors had the opportunity to explore an array of sustainability-related content. Culinary enthusiasts also had the chance to take part in Christmas-themed gastro workshops, where they mastered beloved Hungarian festive dishes such as stuffed cabbage and beigli sans gluten.

Sugar-free Christmas cakes

VIP visitors were presented with treasure gift bags at the entrance, filled with culinary and lifestyle products worth nearly HUF 10,000 (EUR 26). While the surprise raffle added an extra layer of excitement to the event, giving visitors the chance to win enticing prizes. The festival wasn’t just about browsing products; it was a sensory experience. Curious foodies could tantalise their taste buds with a wide variety of sweet and savoury products, including traditional Hungarian Christmas treats such as walnut and poppyseed beigli as well as szaloncukor (chocolate-coated Christmas candy), sugar and/or gluten-free delicacies, all-natural protein shakes and endless cups of festive spiced tea.
One standout feature was the gluten-free and vegan bakery stand, where artisan bakers showcased their skills, crafting delicious treats that catered to dietary restrictions without compromising on flavour. This corner of the festival was a haven for those seeking guilt-free indulgence. Those who still had room for more could even savour gluten-free and vegan carby delights such as Hungarian lángos, pancakes or pizza at the outdoor food truck at the entrance of the venue.

Adding a touch of culinary prestige, the festival hosted the press conference for the upcoming Clean Master Chef of the Year ’24 event on Sunday, featuring acclaimed Hungarian art and media personalities.

Vegan or gluten-free in Budapest

The festival’s success is a testament to the growing interest in mindful and health-conscious living. Csak a Mentes has not only created a community in Hungary but has also become a hub for discovering the latest top-notch products and services. Attendees left feeling not only satisfied by the delectable offerings but also assured that they had access to trustworthy products that aligned with their lifestyle choices.
As the Csak a Mentes Christmas Festival continues to grow, it serves as a beacon of inspiration for those navigating dietary restrictions or seeking a healthy restart. The vibrant cavalcade of stands, surprise raffle and culinary delights all contributed to making this festival a memorable and delightful experience for all who attended.
Hungarian speakers can check out Csak a Mentes’ official website HERE, where they can find mouthwatering recipes, dietitian and health&fitness coach recommendations as well as ready-to-download PDF versions of the quarterly Csak a Mentes magazine. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Don’t worry though if you missed this Christmas Festival, Csak a Mentes holds events multiple times a year. Have a look at their recent fair below:

Hungarian food-saving app aims to conquer Europe

Hungarian food-saving app munch to aims to conquer Europe

Munch, one of the largest food-saving apps in Central-Eastern Europe, proudly announces its Series A funding round, marking a pivotal moment in its mission to combat food waste and expand in the region. After successes in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the company is ready to fight food waste in Romania and beyond.

Funding the industry disruptors

“The involvement of top-tier global marketplace investors like Piton Capital and FJ Labs, known for backing giants like Alibaba and Delivery Hero, is a testament to Munch’s potential. Having the best possible investors for our vision and mission is not just a validation; it’s a powerful alliance to drive our sustainable mission globally.” Bence Zwecker, CEO of Munch.

This significant funding round is led by Piton Capital, known for its strategic investments in industry disruptors like Auto1 Group, Betfair, Docplanner, and Allegro. The round was co-invested by FJ Labs, a New York-based firm with a global reputation in marketplace investments. Their backing is combined with participation from Christopher Muhr, co-founder of Groupon and ex-COO of a German unicorn Auto1, and Kai Hansen, co-founder of Lieferando, a leading European delivery startup and currently a board member of Booksy. Also participating are existing investors Fiedler Capital, Silicon Gardens, Márton Szőke, Péter Záborszky, STRT Holding and László Czirják. The support of both new and existing investors underscores Munch’s unparalleled position in the market.

Established brands believe in Munch

With over 1 500 000 downloads, and more than 3 000 partners across Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Munch has already established itself as the leader in these countries. In the last six months, between April and September 2023, the company grew almost seven-fold compared to the same period in the previous year, demonstrating its increasing appeal to both consumers and traders in the wake of global trends focusing on sustainability and in the face of rising inflation.

Key account partnerships with industry giants have not only amplified Munch’s reach but also showcased tangible successes in the fight against food waste. Collaborations with Starbucks in three countries, significant milestones with PENNY in the Czech Republic and Hungary, and an exclusive presence in every SPAR and INTERSPAR store nationwide in Hungary highlight Munch’s impact and influence.

Romanian Expansion: Munch’s Next Frontier

Munch is embarking on its largest expansion so far, targeting Romania where, according to European Union statistics, ~2.2 million tons of food are wasted annually. This expansion not only marks a significant step for Munch but also represents a pivotal opportunity to substantially reduce food waste and make a meaningful impact in the region. Munch is committed to leveraging its expertise and innovative solutions to drive positive change.

“Our dominance in the CEE region is clear. This funding enables us to establish a strong presence in Romania, starting with Bucharest, and further expand our reach across CEE and SEE. Countries like Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia are next on our list. We are looking for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact to join us in our mission to combat food waste.” emphasized Zwecker.

About Munch

Munch was founded in 2020 by Botond Zsoldos, Bence Zwecker, Albert Wettstein, and Kirill Perepelica with a shared mission to combat food waste through technology. Their vision was to introduce a sustainable approach to the food industry, benefiting both business owners and consumers. Restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and hotels leverage the Munch platform to sell their unsold, high-quality food at reduced prices. In November 2022, Munch merged with Czech-based app Nesnězeno, founded by Jakub Henni, and together they now boast over 3,000 partners and more than 1.5 million app downloads across three countries. To date, Munch has saved a total of over 1.5 million food packages in Hungary and the Czech Republic. These efforts have also been recognized on the level of policy makers: Munch has won prestigious “Sustainable Company of the Year” award and the “Food Waste Prevention Award” at Hungarian National Agricultural and Food Industry Exhibition.

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  • Wasting food? No more! – Hungarian app helps restaurants and customers – Read more HERE
  • Meet Hungary’s Angel Investor!

Survey: Hungarians against importing this Ukrainian product

Fully 87 percent of respondents to a Nézőpont survey say Hungary should not allow genetically modified produce to be imported from Ukraine, the Nézőpont Institute said on Friday.

According to the phone survey of 1,000 adults conducted between December 4 and 6, only 5 percent said such Ukrainian imports should be permitted.

Referring to earlier surveys, Nézőpont said 62 percent of the Hungarian population opposed Kyiv’s endeavours to join the European Union, adding that their reservations may be rooted in their rejection of agricultural imports from Ukraine.

Nézőpont added that respondents who were against Ukrainian imports were “in the majority irrespective of political affiliation”.

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  • Orbán: Ukraine is corrupt, Hungary will not be mixed nation – Read more HERE

Angelina Jolie spotted having lunch with her son in this Budapest restaurant

Angelina Jolie is in Budapest

Angelina Jolie has been in Budapest, the Hungarian capital for months. She is shooting a film about the life of renowned opera singer Maria Callas. Jolie has been spotted quite a few times in Budapest already. Recently, she and her son Pax visited a restaurant for a hearty lunch.

Jolie and her son Pax in a Vietnamese restaurant

The actress and her son entered a Vietnamese soup kitchen called Dang Muoi on Attila Road in Budapest. The place shared photos of the extraordinary guest on its social media page. Even though Jolie covered her face with huge sunglasses, her unmistakable features were still visible. They were clearly enjoying themselves at Dang Muoi, with the actress-director sitting at the table with a big smile on her face, Lelépő writes(you can check out the pictures in their article).

The restaurant said on their Facebook page that they were shocked when Angelina Jolie came to their place. They did not dare to ask for a photo together, as they did not want to be intrusive. But they are very proud to have had Jolie and her son there.

The Dang Muoi restaurant

Dang Muoi specialises specifically in Vietnamese soups. According to Lelépő, their pho soup has a huge fan base in Budapest. Among the pho soups, the Dang Muoi Pho soup with quail egg, bacon, beef, prawn is amazing. Thinner noodle Bún soups include spicy curry, coconut milk, beef-chicken, prawn and vegetable versions.

The main courses also include poultry, beef and seafood. Try the cashew chicken, the chilli beef, the garlic and coconut milk prawns and, of course, the fried rice noodle one-dish meals.

A celebrity in the Academy of Music in Budapest

“Kristóf Baráti and the Symphony Orchestra of the Liszt Academy were joined by a special guest in the audience on 22 October,” reads the Facebook post of the Academy of Music. “This is not the first time that the world-famous actress Cate Blanchett has visited us, as she bought piano lessons from Emese Virág, a teacher at the Music Academy, for her film Tár, which was released in 2022.”

Cate Blanchett in the Academy of Music in Budapest:

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