7 Must-Try Dishes in Budapest

Top 7 Dishes to Try in Budapest

One of the greatest joys of traveling is immersing yourself in another culture- including a new culture’s cuisine. Hungarian cuisine is known for its hearty dishes that showcase a blend of regional cultural influences.

Hungary is a true melting pot of cultures from across Central Europe with Turkish, Slavic, Transylvanian, and Jewish influences. The flavor profiles offer a diverse taste with a staple ingredient being Paprika.

Paprika is such a staple of Hungarian cuisine - that you can find it nearly in every dish. Thankfully it is perfectly seasoned to not overly burden the dish or leave you gasping for water.

Here are the top 7 dishes that you simply cannot miss when you are visiting Budapest:

2. Kürtőskalács

Kürtoskalács, also known as chimney cake, was by far my favorite treat in Budapest. Kürtőskalács is a sweet pastry, of cake dough shaped into a spiral cylinder, coated in sugar and cinnamon. The inside of the spiral is hollow and typicaly filled with an assortment of cream, chocolate, coconut, nuts, cinnamon and/or other toppings.

This dough is spread thinly around a wooden or metal cylinder and baked over an open flame. With the toppings added last on the hot dough. Kürtoskalác is a MUST eat on your visit to Budapest.

3. Lángos

Lángos is a flat-bread topped with various toppings but most commonly with sour cream, garlic and cheese. You can also find Lángos as a sweet treat with various jams and fruits. As a beloved street food you can easily find Lángos affordibly priced from a street vendor.

4. Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)

Chicken Paprikash is a creamy and flavorful dish simmered in a paprika-infused sauce. This dish is definetly a comfort food and is served with traditional Hungarian egg noodles called nokdeli.

This was hands down one of my favorite dishes that I ate multuple times during my visit.

5. Dobos Torte

For those with a sweet tooth (like me) Dobos Torte is another must-try Hungarian dessert. This decadent sponge cake features layers of cake and chocolate buttercream topped of with caramel. Dobos Torte is RICH in sweetness and can be perfectly paired with an espresso.

Luckily you can find plenty of bakeries in Budapest to tuck-away in during a cold winter day and warm yourself up with this sweet treat.

6. Hortobágyi Palacsinta

Hortobágyi Palacsinta is a savory crepe filled with a mixture of either chicken or veal topped with a creamy paprika sauce. Essentially, a Hungarian version of an enchilada (except made with a crepe instead of a tortilla). I found this dish light enough for an easy and filling lunch.

7. Rakott Krumpli

Rakott Krumpli is a Hungarian potatoe casserole made with layers of potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, smoked sausage and sour cream. Think of this as a Hungrain spin on au gratin potatoes.

There are SO many Hungarian dishes to try, but for me these were the top 7 that will undoubtedly give you an appreciation for the country's rich food culture. From savory stews to sweet pastries, each dish offers a unique glimpse into the flavorful world of Hungarian cuisine that is not to be missed.

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