Feb 20th, 2008 | Hungarian cuisine | Comments Off
The spicy hot flavors of Hungary is one of the great experiences awaiting you when visiting Budapest. One of these flavors you should try is the delicious langos.
The langos is simply a round and flat bread-puff (made of, often potato-based, dough) deep-fried in oil and garnished with different tasty toppings like cabbage, ham, mushroom.
This simple Hungarian dish is as good as it is simple, unforgettable.
The classic langos
If you want to try the classic langos you should top it with:
- fresh garlic or garlic sauce
- sour cream and shredded cheese
- shredded cabbage.
Langos used to be one of the most common fast-food dishes in Hungary before the 90:es before all the American fastfood chains invaded Budapest. Now-days you can mostly find it at the markets in Budapest.
The langos isn’t exactly diet food but its a real treat and a classic Hungarian speciality that goes way back in Hungarian history. And while your at it, grab a beer to wash it down with. You wont regret it!
Where to find the Langos in Budapest
- Lehel market on Vaci street (not far from Westend shopping center)
- Central market hall near Kalvin square
- Garay market at Rottenbiller street 56-60′
- Fény street market
- Vörös Marty square during the Christmas fair
Dec 16th, 2007 | Hungarian cuisine, Hungarian drinks | Comments Off
Palinka – the delicious Hungarian fruit Brandy´s
Palinka is one of the most typical of Hungarian alcoholic spirits. It is a bit of Hungarian culture in liquid form and it tastes terrific. Some call it “the flavor of Hungary”. Historically Palinka used to be an important part of the fat diet (bacon, pic fat, bread, onion) of village people since the high alcohol content of the Palinka made digestion easier.
Palinka is a strong (from 40 – 80 %) brandy, double-distilled from a variety of fruits grown in the orchards on the Great Hungarian Plains. The most traditional sorts of Palinka are:
- barack pálinka (appricots),
- cseresznye pálinka (cherries),
- körte pálinka (pears),
- alma pálinka (apples)
- szilva pálinka (plums)
Other popular Palinka flavors are: apple, honey, paprika, herbs and nut. Honey is one of the most recent and is very popular (2007). There are many Palinka producers in Hungary and the quality varies. Some of the more reliable producers are
- the Kecskeméti barack (apricot) pálinka,
- the Szatmári szilva (plum) pálinka,
- Zwacks Vilmoskörte (William’s pear).
Today people drink Palinka usually either as an aperitif before dinner or like a shot beside the beer. It should be served at room temperature. The Hungarians usually take it bottoms up, but take it easy if your not a hard drinker, its strong! You´ll enjoy it better. Just don’t forget the traditional Hungarian cheers “Egéségedre“! Pronaunced E-gey-segg-edd-re.
Palinka is served at most of the bars, discos and nightclubs of Budapest, like nightclub Alcatraz. A shot (4 cl) costs about 3 Euros.
Read more about Hungarian Palinka:
Palinka festival
