Hungarian Culture

The Hungarian Cuisine

The Hungarian cuisine is known for its spicy, flavorful dishes containing a lot of paprika and onions. Hungary is especially famous for its hearty goulash and spicy salami.

The History of Hungarian Cuisine

Today's Hungarian cuisine has been characterised by various influences for centuries – the traditional Hungarian dishes incorporate elements from peasant cooking, the magnate cuisine of the Hungarian nobility, oriental influences from Turkey, as well as Austrian cuisine. However, increasingly international dishes are finding their way onto the Hungarian dining table. As in many other European countries, pork is predominantly what ends up on the plates of Hungarians.

Typical dishes in Hungary

1. Goulash (Gulyás)

Hungarian goulash looks very similar to the goulash from Germany visually. The difference between the two dishes is that Hungarian goulash is a red meat soup and not a stew, and it is described as being spicier, hotter, and heartier than the German goulash.

2. Pörkölt

Pörkölt is known as goulash everywhere except in Hungary, where it resembles a ragout.

3. Halászlé

Halászlé is a spicy red fish soup and a specialty of Hungarian cuisine. The soup is made from freshwater fish such as carp, pike-perch, bream, or crucian carp, primarily caught in the Danube or the Balaton area. The main ingredients of this soup are freshwater fish, spicy paprika, and onion. It is always served with plenty of white or farmhouse bread.

4. Chimney Cake (Kürtöskolács)

The Hungarian Chimney Cake is already well-known to many here in Germany through folk festivals. The chimney cake is made from a yeast dough that is brushed with a glaze of melted butter and sugar while baking. The cake is done when the surface is glossy and golden brown at the same time. You are welcome to enjoy your dessert as it is or choose a topping of cinnamon and ground almonds.

5. Esterházy Torta

The Esterházy Torta is a Hungarian cream cake that is highly valued in Hungary, Austria, and Germany. The cake consists of several layers of sponge cake, with a light yellow buttercream spread between the layers and then decorated with chocolate.

Traditional Festivals

Hungary not only offers culinary delights, but also great events that attract people from all over the world every year. Here we present the country's most interesting events.

Budapest Christmas Markets

During the Christmas season, several Christmas markets take place in Budapest at the same time. The two most important markets are the famous Christmas market in the heart of the city at Vörösmarty Tér (Vörösmarty Square) and the newest market at St. Stephen's Basilica.

The Christmas market on Vörösmarty Tér is renowned for its stalls where you can buy traditional Hungarian handicrafts. Another plus is the many seating and standing options to enjoy the delicious Hungarian cuisine in a family-friendly Christmas atmosphere with Christmas and folk music. The highlight of the day is always the advent calendar at the historic Gerbeaud building directly on the market at 5 pm.

The newest Christmas market at St. Stephen's Basilica is just a ten-minute walk away and impresses with its beautiful lights and an amazing atmosphere. The square at the basilica offers not only great lights but also the opportunity to ice skate on small distributed ice rinks. And to keep the evening memorable, you can take unforgettable pictures on the steps of the Basilica.

Paprika Festival Kalocsa

Paprika is the first thought most people associate with Hungary. Ironically, the city of Kalocsa hosts a festival that takes place on the weekend of the third week of September each year to celebrate the "red gold."

The festival is one of the country's most famous traditional festivals. At eight different locations in the city of Kalocsa, you can expect craft markets, paprika and farmers' markets, a wine street, children's and entertainment programs with music, concerts, and the popular cooking competition.

The festival brings not only joy and fun for everyone but also aims to pass on the traditions and customs surrounding paprika from the current generation to the next.