The 10 most popular Hungarian foods according to foreigners

Hungarian cuisine is appreciated worldwide. Some prefer the most popular goulash soup, some would rather choose the halászlé (fisherman’s soup). However, both of these dishes are on the list of the most popular Hungarian foods according to foreigners. 

A website about foods around the world, tasteatlas.com has collected the 10 most popular Hungarian dishes. Have a look at them below!

1. Halászlé or fisherman’s soup

Halászlé is probably the most well-known Hungarian food. Although it sounds simple, there are many variations. The two most popular are Szeged halászlé, made with four types of fish, and Baja halászlé, made mainly with carp and served with homemade pasta. However, what these soups have in common is the basic ingredient, mixed river fish. The fish is cooked in a broth that is heavily spiced with hot paprika. If you would like to try out the recipe, check out our big Hungarian fisherman’s soup guide.

2. Lecsó

Yet another simple, but delicious Hungarian dish.  Lecsó is a vegetable ragout which is made with a base of rendered lard or bacon fat, fried Hungarian wax peppers, tomatoes, onions, ground paprika, salt, and sometimes garlic. Hungarians often cook this dish over an open fire in a so-called bogrács.

3. Túró rudi

Foreigners get quickly hooked on this Hungarian dessert. Túró rudi is basically curd cheese that is covered in a chocolate coating. At least, that was the original flavour back then when they launched the first túró rudis in 1963. Nowadays, you can find all kinds of flavours such as strawberry, apricot or raspberry.

4. Pogácsa

If you attend a conference, wedding, or any kind of event in Hungary, one food that you will surely find there is pogácsa. It is a Hungarian snack consisting of a small, bite-sized pastry that can be either sweet or savory. Pogácsa pastries are commonly prepared in a round shape. As for the flavour, there are many possibilities:  cheese, cabbage, potatoes, bacon, pumpkin seeds and the list goes on.

5. Kifli

Another all-time favourite is kifli, crescent-shaped yeast rolls. Although, usually they come plain, they can be also sprinkled with poppy, sesame, or caraway seeds, or topped with fruit jam or honey. Legend has it, kifli was invented when Christians defended Buda from the Ottomans. As a sign of celebration, the bakers in the city started selling fresh bread rolls in the shape of a crescent moon.