10 Must-Try Hungarian Dishes: Unlock the Delicious Secrets of Hungarian Cuisine

TLDRExperience the unique and flavorful Hungarian cuisine with these 10 must-try dishes, including the HTO crepe, goulash soup, mat bashka, roast alab brov, and more. Learn the history behind each dish and discover the key ingredients that make them so delicious.

Key insights

🍽️The HTO crepe is a delicious Hungarian dish that combines the flavors of paprika powder flavored stew and sour cream.

🍲Yokai bean soup, named after the famous Hungarian novelist Mor Yokai, is a must-try soup dish with tasty broth and paprika-infused flavors.

🥩Mat bashka is a mouthwatering dish that showcases the amazing combination of deep-fried pork with shredded potatoes, sour cream, and cheese.

🍽️Roast alab brov is a simple yet delicious dish made with roasted pork and seasoned potatoes, flavored with garlic and pepper.

🥘Leu, a thick Ragu or stew, is a customizable dish that can be enjoyed with sausages, bacon, or any kind of meat.

Q&A

What are some famous Hungarian restaurants to try these dishes?

Some famous Hungarian restaurants to try these dishes are GTO, Guash, rro, and 21 Hungarian Restaurant. However, many families have their own special way of making these dishes, so don't hesitate to ask locals for their recommendations.

Why is paprika powder such a prominent ingredient in Hungarian cuisine?

Paprika powder became a mainstream ingredient in Hungarian cuisine in the 18th Century. Its usage grew during the chera outbreaks as a preventative due to its high vitamin C content. Hungarian peasants also discovered that paprika's flavor can be extracted well when cooked with lard and onions, leading to its popularity in Hungarian kitchens.

What is the significance of pork in Hungarian cuisine?

Pork is a significant ingredient in Hungarian cuisine due to historical reasons. During the time when part of Hungary was under Ottoman Empire rule, Islamic soldiers took away all the animals from the peasants except for pork, which was considered forbidden. This led to the mastery of using almost every part of pork in Hungarian cooking.

What is the origin of goulash soup?

Goulash soup dates back to the earliest days of Hungarian history when Hungarians were predominantly animal herders. The name refers to the cattle herdsmen or cowboys. It is a thick red soup with tender beef, paprika powder, and vegetables like potato and carrots, making it the perfect comfort food with a mild spicy kick.

Can you eat only one Hungarian dish, which one would you recommend?

If you can eat only one Hungarian dish, I would highly recommend trying perut. It is a stew where the meat is stir-fried with paprika powder and onions in lard, sealing the flavors and keeping the meat juicy. It is then simmered for a long period to develop the delicious flavors. Serve it with pasta or torona and enjoy a truly unique Hungarian dish.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Hungary has a unique and delicious cuisine that visitors often only scratch the surface of.

00:08Let's explore 10 must-try Hungarian dishes that showcase the flavors of the country.

00:18The HTO crepe is a popular appetizer that combines the flavors of paprika powder flavored stew and sour cream.

01:27Yokai bean soup, named after a famous Hungarian novelist, is a flavorful soup dish with paprika-infused broth.

01:54Mat bashka is a delicious dish made with deep-fried pork, shredded potatoes, sour cream, and cheese.

02:52Roast alab brov is a simple dish made with roasted pork and seasoned potatoes, flavored with garlic and pepper.

04:56Leu is a thick Ragu or stew that can be customized with sausages, bacon, or any kind of meat.

06:15Explore more delicious Hungarian dishes like fisherman soup, goulash soup, stuffed cabbage, and more.