If you are visiting Budapest and would like to try some authentic Hungarian dishes, traditional goulash soup will almost certainly be on your list. But what exactly should you look for in your bowl? Authentic Hungarian goulash is a hearty, flavourful soup in which the flavours of meat, vegetables and paprika come together.
Among the dishes known as goulash abroad, you will often find thick stews, so it is not surprising if you expect something quite different at first. However, if you try goulash soup in Budapest, what should arrive at your table is a rich yet distinctly soup-like dish.
Here is what you should look out for!
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Traditional Goulash Soup: What is the authentic Hungarian version like?
Let’s start with the most important point: traditional Hungarian goulash is not a thick beef stew, but a soup. This is one of the most common misconceptions, especially among those trying the dish for the first time in Hungary.
A good goulash soup has plenty of broth without being watery. Alongside the beef, it contains potatoes and various vegetables, while paprika and spices complete the dish. The result is a filling meal that can easily stand on its own as part of a lunch or dinner.
Goulash or Pörkölt? There is a difference!
The two dishes are often confused abroad, but in Hungary the difference is clear. Goulash soup is prepared with more broth, vegetables and potatoes, while pörkölt is a thick, saucy meat dish.
With beef pörkölt, the focus is on the meat and the rich onion-and-paprika sauce, and it is typically served with a side dish. Goulash soup, on the other hand, already contains several ingredients in the soup itself.
So if you see both on the menu, do not expect two similar dishes. It is worth trying both, as they show two very different sides of Hungarian cuisine.
What should You look for in a traditional Goulash Soup?
You do not need a long list of ingredients to make a truly delicious goulash. The key is getting the proportions right and giving the ingredients enough time to cook together.
A traditional goulash soup typically contains:
- tender beef,
- potatoes,
- carrots and other root vegetables,
- onions,
- Hungarian paprika,
- characteristic spices.
The soup gets its distinctive reddish colour from paprika. But paprika is not only responsible for the colour: it also provides one of the defining flavours of goulash.
Does Goulash Soup have to be spicy?
No. This is another common misconception about Hungarian cuisine. Paprika does not necessarily mean spicy. Traditional goulash soup can be flavourful and full of character without being hot.
Those who prefer spicier flavours can adjust the soup to their taste with hot peppers or hot paprika paste served separately. This way, everyone can decide just how fiery they would like their Hungarian dinner to be.
What is Csipetke in Goulash Soup?
If you find small, irregular pieces of dough in your soup, they are most likely csipetke. Csipetke is a simple, traditional type of Hungarian pasta that gets its name from the way it is made: small pieces are pinched off the dough.
Once cooked in the soup, csipetke becomes pleasantly soft and makes the dish even more substantial. Not every goulash soup is prepared in exactly the same way, but csipetke is one of its best-known traditional additions.
How should You choose Goulash Soup in Budapest?
If you are trying it for the first time, the menu itself can already tell you a lot. Look for goulash as a soup, rather than as pörkölt or beef stew. On Hungarian menus, you will often see it listed as gulyásleves or simply gulyás.
It is also worth looking at what other traditional Hungarian dishes the restaurant offers. If you would like to continue exploring Hungarian cuisine after your goulash, you can choose from several classic dishes on the menu at Paprika Kitchen & Bar.
Chicken paprikash with homemade dumplings and red wine beef stew with sheep cheese strapačka offer completely different flavour experiences, while for dessert you can finish your meal with a classic Gundel pancake.
Goulash Soup near St. Stephen’s Basilica
If you would like to try goulash soup in central Budapest during or after sightseeing, Paprika Kitchen & Bar is located near St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Traditional Hungarian dishes are accompanied by live music in the evenings: every evening from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, music adds to the atmosphere of your dinner. This way, you can discover several sides of Hungarian hospitality in a single evening.
Try traditional Goulash Soup in Budapest!
Now you know what to look for when ordering goulash: it should be brothy, hearty, rich in paprika, filled with meat and vegetables, and should not be confused with pörkölt.
If you would like to experience it for yourself, try the traditional goulash soup at Paprika Kitchen & Bar. Alongside the classic version, you can also order it served in a bread bowl.
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