As winter approaches, there’s a primeval desire for fresh, steaming soup. We trawled the city for our favourites, leaving out Vietnamese pho spots, dealt with in a separate article. Spoons at the ready!
1/8
Alaplé Bar
In addition to the original outlet on Lövőház utca, soup-base juices concocted by dietician Éva Király, plus the freshly mixed flavoured versions of her own spicy pastes, are also available at Nagymező utca, alongside healthy eatery Hokedli (see below). Éva’s base juice is not a broth, it is made from the less elegant parts of the animal, but it is highly recommended physiologically and, even without special seasoning, is delicious in itself. It’s the kind of thing that’s time-consuming to prepare yet may be needed in the kitchen on a daily basis. How do you think grandmother’s recipes always started out? Take a litre of stock!
2/8
Bors GasztroBár
Bors GasztroBár, which opened in the summer of 2012, was once a real
curiosity in town but, after the spread of soup-in-a-cup in Budapest,
it is still one of the cosiest places thanks to its characteristic and straightforward
flavours. Currently, New Orleans pumpkin soup is a favourite, served with
bacon, jalapeño and tortilla chips.
3/8
Hokedl
This old-fashioned stew and soup house has been operating
on Nagymező utca for seven years. Within a small interior, homely flavours are
featured on the daily-changing menu, with vegetarian specialities, too – the
vegetable soup with lentils a must. The food here is mostly for take away, suitable
in this cold weather. If you happen to walk nearby, be sure to pop in for a
nice, hot, strong cup of soup so you can continue your journey, recharged and
warmed up.
4/8
Húsleves és Társai
László Varga moved to the capital from Sárospatak and, as an incurable soup fan, he used to cook huge portions of broth in winter, which he then cooled on the terrace. Satisfied with the end result, last year he decided to share the object of his affection with the good folk of Terézváros. These delicacies you can take away with you in proper jars, with a deposit, as consumption on the spot is not possible. The great virtue of Húsleves és Társai – in addition to other dishes with really rich flavours – is that it’s a labour of love, prepared from the heart.
5/8
Ramenka
Ramen is what many often call Japanese pho. In essence,
the principle is the same. Ramenka offers tasty Asian soups which you can sip on
the go as well. If you’re hungry for a filling Oriental soup, this is where to
go.
6/8
Rapaz
It was back in 2015 that you could find honest, homemade cuisine around Blaha Lujza tér. The goose-neck soup is cooked for at least 24 hours, and a gluten-free alternative was available in addition to the matza balls. Their warm soup based on revered cottage-cheese Túró Rudi chocolate bars is worthy of high praise, as are their other dishes. Great value for money, friendly atmosphere, great flavours. Recommended.
7/8
Tökmag
In the gastronomic hub of Újlipótváros, you can find a
bunch of alternative eateries. One of these is Tökmag, where vegan soups,
burgers and sandwiches are made from fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, and not
only for vegan diners. The pleasantly spicy taste of their chickpea cream
soup, turbo-charged with a spicy tortilla chips, will urge you to return.
8/8
Vietnámigulyás.hu
This soup house, run by renowned chef Krisztián
Huszár, is on Frankel Leó út in currently trendy Buda. Huszár’s mastery created
a unique and recognisable fusion of Asian, Basque and Hungarian cuisine at his last
workplace, the elegant Zóna restaurant. His Vietnamese goulash, after which this
latest venture is named, gets better with every sip, so don’t be surprised by
his unique and inimitable fusion of flavours.
