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In Hungary you can find all kinds international cuisine (Greek, Italian, French, Chinese, Indian, etc.) and drinks from all over the world. However, if you are here once, you should try the traditional Hungarian dishes and beverages that originated in Hungary, during your stay.
Food
Goulash (Gulyás)
Goulash is the first thing that people recall about Hungarian cuisine. It is the traditional Hungarian dish that is a carefully prepared thick soup. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a stew. It originated in Hungary and Hungarians still do it best. If you don't try some while you're in Hungary you have wasted a good opportunity!
Paprikás csirke nokedlivel
It is chicken in paprika sauce served with dumplings and often with sour cream.
Goose liver or Crispy leg of goose
Goose is quite popular in Hungary. Hungary is very famous for goose liver and it is still cheap here by Western standards. Whether fried or grilled, cold or hot, starter or main course, it is delicious and unforgettable!
However, probably the most common dish is roast goose leg that is usually served with steamed, sweetish, red cabbage or sweet, diced apples and fried potatoes.
Fish soup
It is a spicy paprika fish soup often made from carp!
Gundel pancake
It comes stuffed with walnut paste served with a rich chocolate rum sauce.
Apple and cherry strudels
Beverages
Unicum
Unicum is a national institution. It has an acquired taste and I would say it is like Marmite:" You love it or hate it". However, most Hungarians swear by it and it is worshipped by many as a 'cure all'. Also it is known as the "national accelerator". This bitter liqueur contains more than forty different herbs and has been produced using a secret recipe by the Zwack family for over 150 years.
Pálinka
Hungary's native spirit is pálinka (a distilled brandy). It is available in a variety of flavours: apricot, cherry, pear and plum. Also the "mézes barackpálinka" (apricot pálinka with honey) is very popular and it is quite mild compare to normal pálinka! Drink it within bounds unless you want to nurse a monster hangover!
Hungarian beer
The most famous and favoured Hungarian label is Dreher!
Hungarian beers are of good quality. There are two types, világos (Lager) and barna (brown) which is similar in colour to an English bitter but has a much sweeter taste.
Hungarian wine
High quality wines are produced in Hungary. However Western wine buyers tend to ignore Hungarian (or generally Eastern European) wines in favour of French, Italian and New World counterparts. Bulls Blood and Tokaji are most well known but they aren't the only wines that Hungarian wine makers have to offer.
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