Hearty Cuisine

Hungarian cuisine may not be at the top of every foodie's list, but it does have a distinct flavor. Goulash is most likely the Hungarian meal you're most familiar with. Despite its popularity on Austrian menus, this substantial soup is a classic Hungarian dish. And this is significant because Hungarian cuisine is widely available in other former Austrian Empire regions.

Variations or close relatives of Hungarian cuisine can be found in Slovakia, Czechia, and Austria. All of the above have hearty stews with dumplings, but dishes with a lot of paprika are more likely to be Hungarian. Desserts blur the distinctions even more, with strudel and palatschinke (or palatschinke in Austrian) being shared across the board.

In essence, much of Hungarian cuisine is perfect for a chilly winter evening, with plenty of spice, flavor, meat, and veggies, which is never a bad thing. In terms of drinking, there are a few peculiarities to be aware of in Hungary.