Mummy, why is New Year coming in winter and cold? Survive Happy New Year 2013 as a Hungarian

So here we are, after the end of the world (do you remember? it was 21 december 2012), sound and safe, fat after all those Christmas feasts and cookies, and in the usual winter depression. Actually, I never understood why the New Year has to come in the middle of the December-January transition full with darkness, cold, snow and depression... I'd rather have it in spring when the flowers blossom, it would make more sense, wouldn't it?... Anyway, long story short, this is how we do it today and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone and see what you need as a Hungarian to glide into 2013 with luck and happiness :)

Goose Liver Festival in Budapest

Now the festival season is upon us, why not venture up to the Buda Castle for this year's annual Goose Liver Festival. You will have chance to taste all of the Hungarian goose liver dishes Hungary has to offer. These dishes are based both on traditional and redesigned recipes with wines from the Tokaj region (this years guest) and other Hungarian delicacies, at pretty decent prices!

Let the Festivals Begin...!

Many festivals grace the sands of our beautiful country, and with summer fast approaching it is time to start preparing! Here a few of Underguide's favorite festivals...!

Budapest Pálinka Festival 10th-13th May, 2012

The Hunyadi Court in Buda Castle plays host to the spring Pálinka Festival the aim of which is to introduce high-quality Hungarian fruit brandies, pálinka in Hungarian, to both locals and tourists.

Musical programs, concerts enhance the atmosphere during the 4-day event.

This year the focus will be on pálinkas made from apricot.

Daily tickets: 2 000 HUF includes a tasting glass, 4-day pass (includes a tasting glass): 5 500 HUF.

Opening hours: Thurs-Fri: 14.00-02.00, Sat-Sun: 14.00-24.00

More information: Budapest Pálinka Fesztivál

One little Piggy... Hungarian Pig Cutting Feast

This weekend was definitely a first for me... throughout my year in Hungary I have experienced many traditions and festivals, but non so intense as the one and only Pig Cutting.

Arriving at the Hunters Hut in southern Hungary (so far South that my phone tried to connect to a Serbian network), I really didn't know what to expect... we hopped out of the car, and before I could even stand up properly, my dog ran over to what looked like a small whale in a cage! This was by far, one of the biggest pigs I had ever come in contact with. I knew that without a doubt, that this was the last night on earth for this little pig... and soon... to be blunt about it... he would be in mine, and many others' bellies!

Kino Cinema & Café

There is a place in Budapest which i really like. A good friend took me there after school, and ever since then we have never stopped going there - before school, after school and instead of school - until it eventually became one of our favourite hangout places in all of Budapest.

Well, I dont really know what it is that makes a bar the perfect hangout, but to me Kino Cinema and Cafe has it all to be one of the best hangouts in town.

Pesti Disznó - The first Hungarian Tapas Bar

Ever heard of a traditional/modern Hungarian tapas bar? Neither did I, until, with the help of Underguide, I discovered the wonderfully refreshing ‘Pesti Disznó’ , and a new-yet-traditional interpretation of Hungarian gastronomy.

WAMP - Hungarian Design & Gastro Fair

Having cancelled my weekend snowboarding trip due to a severe case of the man-flu, my Sunday was completely and utterly free, leaving Budapest once again as my snow-covered playground... A little bird told me about a unique contemporary 'design & gastro' fair named WAMP, held only a few tram stops away, so I figured 'Why not?'

Now, I've been to these 'contemporary' markets before, and I've found that often they are simply a meeting place for the quirky, alternative and experimental young artists out there, and even though they intend to invite everyone from every age, profession and social class, they end up attracting the select few who are already involved with this sort of thing. I am happy report that with WAMP, this simply wasn't the case!

Did NOT See that Coming! - expat tells us the strangest things about Hungary

Billboard of Dalbir, the new spokesperson for Budapest Bank

It’s been a challenge to unearth information about Budapest Bank’s reasoning behind their choice of spokesperson. One new acquaintance said that it was a social experiment to demonstrate that Hungarians are not racist. Upon voting among a Finish, a Spanish, and an Indian Sikh, the overwhelming choice was for Dalbir. And I’ve also seen a Chinese man modeling clothes in a storefront poster, the anomaly next to the other three white models, yet posing confidently and with a dour expression meant to convey his sex appeal. So I was not surprised then when I saw an Asian woman, flesh and blood, walk into a gyro eatery. In a little less than a week, that was about the extent of my exposure to non-Hungarians. It’s not exactly a melting pot, but perhaps it’s getting there—slowly.

Hungarian Christmas comes Jesus- Boldog Karácsonyt!

Boldog Karácsonyt is Merry Christmas in Hungarian. We do not have any peculiar customs, but let's sum up our Christmas traditions.

First of all, there is no Santa Claus here (he comes earlier), it is personally the little Jesus (Jézuska) bringing the presents on the eve of the 24th. The Christmas tree is decorated during the day or afternoon, gifts are wrapped and then, as a child you are waiting excited to hear the little ring, or somekind of sign which tells you that you can enter the room with the shiny presents.

Since we worship Little Jesus this day, we usually have small stable installations, where supposedly baby Jesus was born. There is also an

Good Morning Budapest! - best breakfast places

„Wake up! Let's go working!  
-But why?  
- Because work is ennobling!”*

Budapest is in a phase when it has to re-invent, re-inaugurate and re-invigorate old, sometimes almost forgotten customs, urban traditions; such as the so pleasant ritual of breakfast or weekend brunch.I have to admit that Budapest seems to oversleep the date of these meals in weekends, whereas on weekdays, only few can afford the luxury of a leisurely-consumed breakfast when the arrival to the office (or school) is due at 8.00 AM.

Sweet Sinning in Hungary - best cakemakers and their legends

Have you ever tried Hungarian desserts? Not sure? So probably you haven't because eating our sweets is more or less equal to the fall. A Somlói Galuska or a Gundel Palacsinta should definitely have an own tree in the garden of Eden.  Behind every sweet sinful taste there is a story of a great man or a legend.


Let's start with the most diabolic one: the Gundel Pancake in flames....

Fairy Tales do come true in Budapest - Sugar Shop design confectionary

We had our design Budapest walk this Sunday. There is plenty to tell you about, we have been in the Zara Design Hotel and than also in Tuzrakter Cultural Centre, and wandered along the Paulay Street where you could easily spend all your earnings on the fancy stylish new-generation Hungarian designer clothes. However, there are some more affordable pieces of fashion, namely the bag collection of Sugar Shop - all edible :D



Down with Viennese Cafe style and long live the Design Futuristic Candy shops!

Szatyor Bar - Plastic Bag Bar reopens after 100 years in Buda

Szatyor means plastic bag in Hungarian. Szatyor means now also the end of the ruin bar thirst on the Buda side.


 The bar got its name from our famous writer Karinthy Frigyes. When he first entered the underground floor of the Hadik Café, and saw the mat overlay on the walls, he exclaimed: "My dears, this is nothing but a Szatyor (plastic bag)!
Karinthy's works have been also translated to more foreign languages, one of his  famous ironic books about school life can be read here . For those with hard nerves, I can recommend Journey Round my Skull where he writes about his brain tumor operation experience.

Wine, dinner, style, panorama - go for it all at Fuchsli bistro

"Now, where should a superhero take some fröccs on the weekends?"


Strolling along the Danube side, or crossing over the bridges in Budapest, it can happen that you feel a sudden urge to take a wine and linger with your eyes on the Gellért hill with the magical lighting statue on the top. Or wouldn't it be nice to eat something so typical it makes you feel so Hungarian that you suddenly would like to be able to pronounce and know the names of all the illuminated bridges. I mean, everybody gets the Chain Bridge part, but the tricky ones are the -  by foreigners commonly referred to -  as Green Bridge and White Bridge - try to be a magyar superhero and learn them :)


There is a quiet place among all these colourful bridges on the Pest riverbank, where quality wine, good yet simple food and panorama come together. It is a  family owned winery, bistro,  bar - call it how you want, a cozy and yet exquisite place for a dinner.

Late night bakery snacks – special treat at RÁKÓCZI PÉKSÉG

Budapest has great nightlife. Apart from the millions of bars, beers, concerts, walking streets to choose from (of which most of are located close to each other), one of the main night-life drivers are the non-stop open shops/buffets. In the centre, the jewish- and the university districts especially but actually everywhere – they are on every corner. You can recognize them from their lighting signs, usually with the coca cola logo as well, and the small crowd in front of it. Prices aren’t so high compared to the luxury service that you can eat drink and buy cigarettes (in Hungary they are sold in all the shops) at any time of the day.
But forget about sandwiches and gyros (döner, kebab). Now I tell you about a very special bakery spot, usually open all night long, many locals' favourite night snack place.

Splash and cheers – Drink fröccs first and go to bed with a Lángos in the stomach.

Fröccs is the splashing sound in Hungarian of the water. However, it is more important that it is the ultimate summer booze here. It is no big deal, white wine with sparkling water. There is small (kis fröccs with 1:1 wine-water proportion), big (nagy fröccs 2:1) and so called „long step” (hosszú lépés with 1:2) – so you see, almost a repertoire of cocktails. My guider duty makes me tell you, to the great disappointment of the Spanish: we also have „calimocho” (in Spanish), VBK (in Hungarian) – cock with red wine. However, is rather preferred by  teenagers, fröccs is slightly more elegant, a refreshing booze on the hot summer days.