Real authentic Hungarian goulash is a SOUP not a thick stew - so be prepared for a generous thin liquid containing meat, potatoes and veg.

You might enjoy 'Fogash' a fish stew, and 'Bogrash Goulash' which may be more stew-like.

Many vegetables that appear as side dishes in restaurants are pickled not fresh! (You might need to bring an antacid like Gaviscon to help after a few days.)

Hungarian pancakes (palaschinka) are good, though more doughy than French crêpes, and if you want to blow your mind on strong alcohol, try Palinka (a clear mind-numbing spirit like schnapps or grappa) and avoid Unicum (far too much like a medicinal cough cure).

And unfortunately there are far too many McDonalds in Budapest .....

Funnily enough I've had 'goulash meat soup' inj a German restaurant in Portugal and it was lovely, just wondering if the Magyars make it better! I'm willing to try anything although Bogrash sounds like a severe itch :lol:

We found a lovely traditional restaurant in the castle area where we had delicious goulash soup and also wild boar and venison, both served in tasty sauces. It's opposite the Hilton, the entrance is on the Fortuna passage. They also have live traditional music in the evenings.

One of Budapest most famous coffee houses is Gerbauds in Vorosmarty Ter. It's a lovely old place, very atmospheric and of course the cake (and coffee) was delicious, I had the sacher torte. The nearest metro is Deak Ter, but we walked to it from the NH, took about 30 minutes, a nice walk along the riverfront, passing the Parliament and then bearing left. Your're also then in the main shopping area at Vaci Utca, which leads from Vorosmarty Ter.

Another famous coffee house is just off Heros Ter (Heroes Square) just next to the Zoo. Coffee and cakes YUM but pricey! The zoo is a bit sad, as it's got lots of old fashioned enclosures. The circus however is worth a visit, although often poorly attended as it's there year round.

By the way I also giggle at the thought of Bogrash Guyash ... but it tastes much better than it sounds!

MariaH's suggestion sounds lovely, I've never tried wild boar and it's years since I've had venison so that's one for the itinerary.
I think we could try Gerbaud's on our way to the indoor market, I prefer to walk when I'm in a new city so I don't miss anything.
Another thing I've never done is go to a circus (I know, we were dirt poor when I were a lad!) so that's a possibility too.
Oh I'm getting really excited now, can't wait
Thanks for all your suggestions, keep them coming though.

Regards,
Russ.

There are some interesting food stalls in the indoor market. Huge salamis, strings of peppers, paprika, etc. We found a lovely cake stall and had a delicious poppy seed cake - it's often seen as a roll with a black filling which is a sweet mixture of ground poppy seeds, ground almonds, etc. It realy is delicious and tastes like nothing else. Upstairs in the market are some snack bars which might be worth looking round at lunchtime for a quick, authentic snack.

Now that Hungary is part of the EU, are you allowed to bring foodstuffs back to britain? I'd love to bring one of those salamis back and possibly some local cheeses if they're any good.
Of course I'll smuggle some smoked paprika back if I have to!

Russ.

Not to sure of the regulations but I can just imagine the sniffer dogs at the airport going wild if your suitcase was stuffed with salamis

On my last trip to Greece I brought back a suitcase full of herbs and spices - and hoped they wouldn't be mistaken for anything else

I would like to know about bringing back foodstuffs, hopefully there is some info on here:
http://www.fco.gov.uk

Most alchohol gives me migraines these days, so since giving up smoking too, food is my ownly luxury
I managed to bring lots of chocolate and cookies back from Rotterdam without exciting the snifferdog at the exit too much

Each time I go to Hungary i alway bring back Salamis, Red Paprika and Delicat. (Being Hungarian I use these ingredients to cook with. I also bring back a couple of bottles of Palinka (peach and Cherry). Does not last long in my house though when my mother comes to visit.