Everything I ate for the first time in Budapest

Lángos topped with Beef Goulash

I had lángos before because they sell it at Christmas markets all over central Europe, but only topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese. Lángos is a type of fried dough, similar to Indian fry bread (if you’ve spent much time in the Southwestern US) or funnel cake (lángos is usually savory but can also be topped with sweets).

Lángos with sour cream and cheese (and garlic, don’t forget the loads of garlic)

I’ve also had goulash, as Polish people call any sort of meat stew a goulash. But the goulash in Hungary is infinitely better, because they are all about the spices. Seriously, Hungarian food is delicious, and I love it.

Beef goulash, ready to be served over some noodles. Both images via Google

So, put the two together and what do you get?

A messy street meal that has to be eaten sitting down, because there’s no way you can walk, eat, and keep all that goulash from falling off at the same time. Not to mention it’s more than you could possibly eat in one sitting. (Believe me, I tried!)

Goose

Roast goose is actually a popular dish in eastern Europe in the fall. Since returning from Budapest, I’ve had it twice at restaurants in Wrocław, because it’s amazing. It’s like chicken, but better. In Budapest I had goose with some sort of plum sauce, while my co-worker’s goose had some sort of chocolate-based sauce. Yes please.

Foie Gras

Turns out all parts of the goose are delicious. (Also parts of bird digestive systems seem to be a good bet?) I thought foie gras would be like paté, but it’s not. It doesn’t actually taste or feel like liver.

Eszterházy cake

Image via Bock Bisztró website

I’m not sure if this is a traditional Hungarian desert, but this walnut sponge cake with layers of cream in between was absolutely amazing. If you go to Budapest, check out Bock Bisztró for a nice dinner, if a bit on the pricier side.

Some really good wine

I didn’t catch the name, because my co-worker and her husband chose (and paid for) all the wine. But it was good. Also they can really throw it back. Especially considering they have two kids! I hope to be this cool if I ever become a mom.

Palinka

Just kidding, I’ve had palinka before. Some Romanian/Hungarian guy (did you know part of Romania used to belong to Hungary, and some people are still butthurt about that?) that I met in Wrocław brought some to a party once. It was both a great and terrible night. ‘Nuff said. My co-worker, her husband, and I ended up taking shots at a karaoke bar. Nothing makes you believe you can sing like palinka. I’m just lucky that’s all it did this time.