10 foods that Hungarians will miss wherever they are

If you have tried any Hungarian meals, then you know that they tend to stick with you – their taste is something that you cannot quite compare to anything else. Now, imagine that you have grown up eating these foods… Surely there is at least one item from this list below that any given Hungarian would miss terribly.

Goulash

Goulash is often said to be the national food of Hungary, originating from the Great Hungarian Plain since it was a filling meal that herdsmen cooked while they were away from home during the day. Goulash can be made from chicken, beef or pork, with lots of vegetables like potatoes, carrots and turnip, along with onion and… you guessed right, paprika. This hearty soup tastes best if you cook a large quantity, and as most Hungarian meals, can be served with sour cream.

Halászlé (fisherman’s soup)

Fisherman’s soup is a paprika-based fish soup, usually prepared by using carp, catfish or pike with a variety of vegetables and sometimes mushroom, too, with noodles and tarhon. It is made from similar ingredients and following a similar method as goulash, but somehow, it is very different from it. Halászlé is an essential part of the Christmas menu, prepared with slight variations: some people like it sour, others spicy, some use pureed fish, others cut the fish into small pieces while some cut it into big chunks.

Chicken soup

Although broth or chicken soup are cooked elsewhere too, it is a very important part of the Sunday lunch menu and of Hungarian wedding feasts. Chicken soup is usually made from hens or roosters with lots of vegetables, so, it is a hearty, tasty and healthy meal. Some grandmas prepare their own noodles for the soup, which makes it even tastier. This soup is every Hungarian’s go-to remedy for colds, digestive problems and is the miracle cure for hangovers.

Lángos

This deep-fried flatbread is gaining popularity worldwide, conquering even the USA, not only because there are lots of Hungarian communities abroad but also because it is one of the most delicious foods ever. Lángos is not complicated to make, as you can see in this recipe, and can even be stuffed. Hungarians eat it with different toppings; the classic is the sour cream and cheese combination, but you can spice it up with bacon, garlic, onions, cottage cheese or even Nutella.

Főzelék

There is no English word for főzelék, which is a meal that resembles a stew in preparation, but the end result is rather like a very thick soup. Still, it is not a soup, but a creamy wonder made from vegetables that reminds Hungarians of their childhood. In Hungary, there are restaurants specialising in főzelék, like Főzelékfaló, a restaurant chain in Budapest. Although főzelék is made from vegetables, you can have sausage, wursts, bacon or fried eggs as a topping, making it a filling and healthy meal which helps your metabolism.