Comparing Chicken Paprikash across three restaurants — an honest verdict

I ate Chicken Paprikash at three different restaurants in the same week to compare. The results were illuminating. The use of lard varied significantly — only one got it right. The creamy and savoury profile should be consistent but interpretation differs widely.

paprika only entered Hungarian cooking in the 17th century but now defines the cuisine. The best version came from a Budapest csárda tavern, which felt authentic. Dreher beer was offered at all three but only one knew how to serve it properly. The gap between mediocre and excellent Chicken Paprikash is larger than you'd think.