Hungarian Specialities you must try when you visit Budapest

Some of the great things that Hungary can offer when you visit us in the beautiful capital, Budapest

#1 Tokaji Aszu

Tokaji is the name of the wines from the region of Tokaj-Hegyalja in Hungary. The region is noted for its sweet wines made from grapes affected by noble rot, a style of wine which has a long history in this region. The Tokaji Aszú, world-famous dessert wine of Hungary, is a type of Tokaji wine that is proudly cited in the Hungarian National Anthem.

#2 Túró Rudi

In the 1960s a small group of dairy industry professionals got inspired by a study trip to Moscow and came up with a unique new product - a sweet chocolate bar filled with lemony cottage cheese. The "pöttyös" (spotty or spotted) theme is part of the marketing scheme of the bar, and the distinctive red polka-dots are readily associated with Túró Rudi by regular consumers. The regular ('natúr') bar is by far the most popular amongst Hungarians but it comes in different flavors, like apricot, strawberry, coconut or peanut butter. Túró Rudi was released in Slovakia, Romania, Germany, Spain and Italy under the name DOTS.

#3 - Pálinka

Pálinka is the generic name for the fiery fruit brandy often distilled from home-grown plums, apricots and pears. Only for responsible drinkers, 40% proof.

#4 Goose liver or “foie gras”

Hungary is the world's second-largest foie gras "Libamáj" producer and the largest exporter. Goose liver is part of traditional Hungarian cuisine and a must try when visiting the country.

#5 Szamos Marcipán

The gourmet marzipan/chocolate of Hungary. The Szamos Marzipan Museum and Confectionery in Szentendre is Hungary's first marzipan museum. The exhibition displays the art of marzipan making, including some masterpieces of confectionery, such as the 160 centimetre tall model of the Parliament building.

#6 Pick “Winter” Salami

For more than 140 years the Pick Company has been creating unique flavours and unforgettable treats with its top-quality products. Pick Winter Salami is the company's most famous product. This is a real delicacy! Available at any supermarket or grocery store in Hungary.

#7 Unicum

Traditional Hungarian drink with mystic ingredients and mysterious recipes. Unicum is a special blend of herbs and spices that Hungarians swear by as an aid to digestion. It is produced according to a secret formula of more than forty herbs, and the drink is aged in oak casks. Recently Zwack has launched "Unicum Next", a thinner-bodied drink with citrus flavour.

#8 Paprika

Hungary is a major source of high-quality paprika, in grades ranging from sweet (mild, not hot) with a deep bright red color to rather spicy (hot) with a brownish orange color. Paprika is used as an ingredient in a broad variety of dishes throughout the world. Paprika is principally used to season and color rice, stews, and soups, such as goulash, and in the preparation of sausages as an ingredient that is mixed with meats and other spices.

#9 Lángos (fried dough)

A deep fried flat bread made of a dough with flour, yeast, salt and water. Get your lángos in Budapest Városliget on your way to Széchenyi Bath and ask for one of the most popular kind with either plain garlic or sour cream and cheese on it.

#10 Egri Bikavér / Bull’s Blood of Eger

The legend from the battles against the Turkish armies during the siege of Eger in the 16th century: it was rumoured that bull's blood was mixed into the wine of the Hungarian soldiers to make them strong and invincible, so the Turkish soldiers became fearful and withdrew.

#11 Rétes (Strudel)

One of Hungary’s most renowned dishes. Can be filled with practically anything. Common fillings: túró (cottage cheese), sour cherry, apple, poppy seed, plum or even cabbage. http://www.reteshaz.com/main.php?ny=en

#12 Kürtőskalács (Funnel cake)

A traditional Hungarian pastry originated from Transylvania. Festivals can not be held without it in Hungary ;)
http://www.kurtoskalacs.com/start.htm

#13 Gulyás (goulash)

A thick beef soup usually eaten as a main course. What people think of as goulash is actually ‘pörkölt’: meat stewed with onions and paprika. Gulyás is a near relative of the stews and differs only in that gulyás consists of more liquid, the meat is chopped into smaller pieces and is served in a soup bowl with potatoes and gnocchi cooked in it.

#14 Túrógombóc (Cottage cheese dumplings)

Cottage cheese dumplings

One of Hungary’s favourite desserts. Very simple to make:

http://mygastronomy.blogspot.com/2007/11/hungarian-curd-cheese-dumplings.html

#15 Halászlé (Fisherman’s soup)

A rich mixture of several kinds of poached fish, tomatoes, green peppers and paprika.
It’s a meal in itself.

http://www.chew.hu/halaszle_1.html