Being Hungry in Hungary

One of the biggest changes I’ve experienced over the last two months in Budapest has been my eating habits. “Picky eater” is an understatement when describing my diet pre-college. You would likely be shocked if I told you how I limited myself, mostly out of stubbornness.

College helped me to expand my food repertoire some but I still had a long way to go. I didn’t have the push that I needed to really make a difference beyond an isolated meal here and there. That is, until now.

Perhaps it’s being in a foreign country, respecting the culture, or finally caving in to curiosity. Whatever it is, it’s working. Since leaving for my semester abroad I’ve eaten pork, salmon, soups, and more vegetables than ever before.

Salmon breakfast at Centrál Kávéház

The Hungarian diet is not easy for those who don’t eat meat, but it is livable. I had never eaten pork before I came here (and I still don’t plan to eat it more than necessary), but the few times I have had it here I’ve actually enjoyed it! Still, the vegetarians in my group always have alternative options and get by fairly easily.

I’ve had an amazing bagel with smoked salmon, goat cheese, and leafy greens at Café Alibi; fantastic pumpkin cream soup from Leves (which also happens to be the Hungarian word for soup, pronounced “leh-vesh”); and soups, pork, and homemade doughnuts (Hungarian: fánk) in Transylvania.

I have easily eaten more vegetables in the past month than over the last five years combined. Despite difficulties with the stove burners in the common kitchen, I enjoy cooking for myself on occasion and will add a handful of veggies to most of my meals. I’ve grown mildly attached to peppers – especially the white paprika (the vegetable version of the red spice)! Only to be expected in a country known for its production of paprika.

The university dorm is on a street lined with restaurants, among which are some of my favorites so far. Like most cities, I could easily eat out every day that I’m here and not repeat locations.

Some of my favorite simple to-go options include: Wokzilla (Asian food for sit-down or to-go), several gyro places, Ráday Fánkterápia (American donut shop), and Budapest Bagels (which is exactly what it sounds like). My favorite gelato option by far is Gelarto Rosa near St. Stephen’s Basilica (and yes, that is the correct spelling of Gelarto Rosa). What’s better than delicious gelato in the shape of a rose??

For sit-down places, one of my absolute favorites is Púder Bársínház and their chicken dish served with a wheel of goat cheese on top and white rice on the side. I eat there about once a week on average...

Chicken dish at Púder Bárszínház

I’ve also (finally) found a couple of decent Italian restaurants: TG Italiano and Pizza Eataliano are a couple of my reasonably priced favorites so far. I have yet to experience the renowned Comme Chez Soi or the Zeller Bistro, but I’ve heard from others in my group that they are both musts while we’re here.

Of course, there are plenty of traditional Hungarian dishes! Honestly, I’ve only had a few: stuffed cabbage and goulash in Transylvania; langos in Szentendre and in the Budapest Central Markethall; and csirke paprikas (chicken paprikash) from... well, most restaurants.

Langos from Budapest Central Markethall

Dessert is a whole other topic but my favorites restaurants for them so far include: Ruszwurm Cukrászda, Nándori Cukrászda, Café Vian (especially their cocoa crepe with apple cinnamon filling), and Centrál Kávéház. All are great places to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Desserts and hot chocolates at Ruszwurm Cukrászda

Apple pie from Café Vian

Cocoa crepe with apple cinnamon filling from Café Vian

Opera cake and a latte from Centrál Kávéház

Whatever the meal or time of day, there are a ton of food options all over the city. One thing’s for sure: you will not go hungry in Hungary.