Pairing Lecsó correctly — a note on Pálinka fruit brandy

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Lecsó. I ordered it with Pálinka fruit brandy and the creamy and savoury elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. onion in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Hungarian cuisine was shaped by nomadic Magyar traditions mixed with Ottoman and Habsburg influences. The a Budapest csárda tavern is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Lecsó with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.