Hungarian cuisine is hearty, paprika-heavy, and deeply tied to the country’s culture. Whether you’re ordering in a restaurant, shopping at a market, or just chatting about food, knowing the right words makes all the difference. Here’s how to navigate food conversations in Hungarian.
Essential Hungarian Food Vocabulary
Étel
[ˈeːtɛl]“Food (dish)”
Refers to a prepared dish or meal, as opposed to raw ingredients.
Ital
[ˈitɒl]“Drink”
Any beverage, from water to wine.
Főétel
/ˈføːeːtɛl/“Main course”
The primary dish in a meal, usually meat-based in Hungarian cuisine.
Leves
[ˈlɛvɛʃ]“Soup”
Hungarians often start meals with soup, like goulash (gulyás).
Must-Know Dishes
- Gulyás – A rich beef and paprika stew, Hungary’s national dish.
- Lángos – Fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, a street food staple.
- Paprikás csirke – Chicken cooked in a creamy paprika sauce.
- Töltött káposzta – Stuffed cabbage leaves with minced meat and rice.
Ordering Food Like a Local
In restaurants, you’ll often hear these phrases:
- “Szeretnék rendelni” – “I’d like to order”
- “Mit ajánl?” – “What do you recommend?”
- “Fizetni szeretnék” – “I’d like to pay”
Tip: Hungarians rarely split bills. If you’re dining in a group, one person usually pays and the others settle up later.
Food Shopping Vocabulary
| Hungarian | English |
|---|---|
| Piac | Market |
| Friss | Fresh |
| Hús | Meat |
| Zöldség | Vegetable |
| Gyümölcs | Fruit |
Cultural Notes
Hungarians take food seriously. Meals are often social events, and refusing food can be seen as rude. If you’re invited to someone’s home, expect multiple courses and generous portions.
For more on Hungarian culture, check out our guide to Hungarian humor.
Practice Phrases
- “Ez finom!” – “This is delicious!”
- “Túl csípős nekem” – “Too spicy for me”
- “Van vegetáriánus étel?” – “Do you have vegetarian food?”
Remember: Hungarian is phonetic. Once you know the sounds, you can pronounce any word correctly. Don’t be afraid to try – locals appreciate the effort.
