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This Hungarian specialty is prepared with meat, traditionally beef, that is simmered in a rich paprika-infused broth, usually alongside onions, bell peppers, root vegetables, various spices, and occasionally tomatoes (in some regional variations).
Gulyás is a well-known dish that enjoys immense popularity even outside the Hungarian borders. In many countries, the word is synonymous with a thick stew, while in Hungary, gulyás mostly represents a soup-like dish, which is why this dish is also known as gulyásleves (lit. herdsman soup).
It closely resembles pörkölt—a thick Hungarian stew consisting of meat, onions, and selected spices—which is what most people outside of Hungary associate with the word gulyás (goulash).
MOST ICONIC Gulyás
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Comforting rosół is a traditional meat soup. Even though the chicken version, called rosół z kury, is the most famous variety–beef, veal, turkey, or mixed meat broths are also quite frequently prepared throughout the country.
Pork should never be used since it results in an opaque broth. Rosół is usually made with meat that is left on the bone, which contributes to the overall taste. The meat is cooked in cold water with a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, and mushrooms.
VARIATIONS OF Rosół
MOST ICONIC Rosół
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Żurek is a traditional soup characterized by its distinctively sour taste, which comes from sour leavening, or the fermentation of bread and rye flour. The soup also contains meats such as sausages, bacon, or ham, and vegetables such as potatoes and mushrooms.
Although it is extremely popular throughout Poland, each region has its own version of the dish. It is sometimes served in an edible bowl made of bread, when it is common to add halves of hard-boiled eggs on top of the soup as garnish. Żurek is traditionally prepared and consumed during Easter.
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In Czech folklore, the best cure for a cold or a hangover is a bowl of česnečka, a traditional garlic soup. Although garlic is the key ingredient, the soup also incorporates potatoes, meat broth, onions, and traditional spices such as caraway and marjoram.
This healthy dish is usually topped with grated cheese and crunchy croutons, and it is commonly served and enjoyed as an appetizer.
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Traditionally prepared with beef or chicken, this hearty Hungarian soup is a staple restaurant dish as well as a common home-cooked meal. Besides meat, it usually incorporates noodles, root vegetables, and a variety of spices. It is always served hot, either as a nutritious appetizer or a light main course.
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This Slovakian sauerkraut soup is a hearty wintertime dish with a rich flavor, coming from a variety of added smoked pork products, sausages, and dried mushrooms. Kapustnica is related to a number of similar soups found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, but in Slovakia, it is sometimes served with bryndzové halušky, potato dumplings mixed with a creamy sheep cheese.
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This clear and hearty chicken broth is one of the most traditional Polish soups. Usually prepared with meat left on the bone, it can incorporate various diced root vegetables and different types of noodles. The recipes for rosół z kury are typically passed down through generations.
This labor-intensive soup is traditionally associated with festive weekend meals and various special occasions. It is recommended to serve the soup as an appetizer while still hot, and to garnish it with generous amounts of freshly chopped parsley.
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Kürbis suppe or pumpkin soup is a simple dish typical of the traditional Burgenland cuisine. The soup is usually made with diced or grated pumpkin flesh that is lightly sautéed with vegetables before it is simmered in water, chicken stock, or beef broth until all the ingredients are tender.
Typical vegetables used in the soup include onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, leeks, and celery, while the selection of spices and seasonings usually includes salt, pepper, paprika, nutmeg, cumin, dill, and vinegar. The soup is commonly thickened with flour or cornstarch, and once cooked, it is usually combined with cream and puréed until it gets a smooth or porridge-like consistency.
MOST ICONIC Kürbis Suppe
Zupa borowikowa is a flavorful Polish soup with borowik mushrooms, also known as the king of forest mushrooms. The soup is beloved throughout Poland and is often served on Christmas Eve. Apart from the fresh version, the soup is so popular that it can also be bought in commercially made packages with noodles.
MOST ICONIC Zupa borowikowa
Borscht is a popular beet soup found in many Central and Eastern European countries. Although the most common Polish version is a thick borscht prepared with beetroot and various root vegetables, the unique Polish version comes in the form of a clear strained broth.
This dish is known as barszcz czysty czerwony and its base is usually fermented beet juice, also known as kvass, or stock that includes beetroot juice together with lemon juice or vinegar. The broth is strained and it can be served cold or warm, as well as in bowls or mugs.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Central European Soups” list until April 15, 2025, 8,339 ratings were recorded, of which 5,850 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.