1 Views

I’ve fond recollections of chilly Prague evenings, the air crisp with the scent of woodsmoke, and a steaming bowl of wealthy, paprika-infused goulash in entrance of me with a darkish Czech beer. It’s the sort of meal that warms you from the within out, such as you’d anticipate on a Prague meals tour.

Whereas goulash originated in Hungary, the Czech model has carved out its personal identification, beloved by locals and vacationers. It’s much less spicy, extra strong, and goes completely with hearty bread or fluffy dumplings that take in each drop.

What Is Czech Goulash, and How Is It Completely different?

Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed below Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (no modifications made)

Czech guláš is a hearty stew that has develop into one of many nation’s most beloved consolation meals. It’s completely different from its Hungarian cousin, which is usually soupier and crammed with greens and potatoes. As an alternative, Czech goulash is thicker and meatier with succulent, tender chunks of slow-cooked beef simmered in a paprika-laden sauce.

The wealthy, savory gravy is ideal for absorbing with Czech houskové knedlíky smooth bread dumplings which are a staple aspect. It’s often garnished with a sprinkle of uncooked onion, and I believe it pairs completely with a chilly, darkish Czech beer.

The place to Eat the Greatest Goulash in Prague

Prague has tons of conventional pubs, eating places, and beer halls that serve goulash. Every provides a style tackle this conventional Czech meals.  

U Kroka

Picture credit score: U Kroka

This heat, family-run spot feels native and unpretentious, tucked close to Vyšehrad. Their beef goulash is sluggish‑cooked, deeply seasoned, and served with fluffy dumplings yum! The wealthy paprika sauce virtually soaked into my soul simply because it did the smooth houskové knedlíky bread.

U Kroka (Kč 240–500) – Vratislavova 28/12, 128 00 Praha 2, Czechia.

U Glaubicu

U Glaubicu is a basic Czech pub with old-world environment and the sort of hearty parts that locals love. Their goulash attracts day by day crowds. So, I like to recommend reserving forward in case you can. I ordered it throughout a stroll round Malá Strana, and it reset my normal for what daring, peppery Czech stew might style like.

U Glaubicu (Kč 300–600) – Malostranské nám. 266/5, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia.

Planeta Žižkov

Picture credit score: Planeta Žižkov

With a extra down‑to‑earth vibe and cheaper value than metropolis‑heart joints, Žižkov neighborhood provides a no‑markup goulash that locals swear by. I shared a goulash there with a buddy after taking the tram experience up the hill. The worth for the portion measurement was as unbeatable because the wealthy meaty taste.

Planeta Žižkov (Kč 200–400) – Tachovské nám. 79/1, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia.

U Fleku

Considered one of Prague’s oldest breweries, they’re identified for providing strong darkish beer and conventional meals that completely pair with it. Their goulash is thick, flavorful, and greatest loved with reside polka. I’m a bit biased in that I like darkish beer with Czech goulash, so U Fleků checks each containers for me, they usually additionally supply a brewery tour besides!

U Fleků (Kč 200–400) – Křemencova 11, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia.

Basic Sides with Czech Ghoulash

You is likely to be stunned by the splendid array of aspect dishes served with goulash in Prague’s pubs, eating places, and beer halls.

Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed below Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (no modifications made)

Houskové knedlíky are smooth, pillowy slices of steamed bread that may additionally function dumplings, absorbing each drop of the wealthy goulash sauce.

Uncooked Onion Slices are a typical easy garnish that provides crunch and sharpness to steadiness the hearty stew. In spring, you would possibly even discover some chopped scallions including inexperienced, fragrant garnish to the goulash served in eating places.

Tmavé Pivo is a well-liked native darkish lager that enhances the paprika and beef superbly. It’s my favourite drink to pair with a steaming bowl of goulash.

Pickled Greens, generally known as Zelenina created from tangy pickles or pickled peppers, reduce by way of the richness and refresh the palate.

Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed below Attribution 2.5 Generic (no modifications made)

Bramboráky are crispy garlicky potato pancakes that generally substitute dumplings for a distinct expertise.

Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed below Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Worldwide (no modifications made)

Apple Štrúdl is a well-liked dessert in Prague. It’s a slice of candy, flaky pastry with apples and cinnamon that rounds out the meal and enhances the lingering paprika in your palate after consuming goulash.

How Locals Eat It (And When You Ought to Too)

Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed below Attribution 3.0 Unported (no modifications made)

Czech locals deal with goulash as the last word consolation meal. I believe it’s greatest loved at a leisurely lunch or a hearty dinner after an extended day strolling town. Particularly through the cooler months of the 12 months while you need one thing warming.

When ordering goulash in Prague, don’t be shy about asking for further houskové knedlíky dumplings. Most pubs will gladly oblige, and also you’ll want them to mop up each drop of that thick, paprika-rich sauce.

Goulash parts in Prague are beneficiant, so tempo your self and pair it with a chilly darkish lager or an unfiltered pilsner for essentially the most genuine expertise. In case you occur to expire of dumplings, seize a slice of bread and clear the plate like a real native. Belief me, nobody right here will choose you for it.

Closing Ideas: Goulash Is Prague’s Final Consolation Dish

Goulash might seem to be a humble bowl of stew, however in Prague, it tells a narrative. Wealthy, smoky, and deeply comforting, Czech guláš warms you from the within out. It’s particularly beloved when the climate turns chilly, however even within the peak of summer time it matches completely in a Prague meals tour. 

Pair it with pillowy houskové knedlíky dumplings, a pint of darkish lager, and the hum of dialog in a bustling pub, and also you’ve acquired an expertise that’s as Czech because it will get. All the time keep in mind, within the Czech Republic, goulash is extra than simply meals. It’s custom served in a bowl, greatest savored slowly with pals, family members, and possibly a second beer.

Sources:

U Kroků. (n.d.). U Kroků. http://www.ukroka.cz/

U Glaubiců. (n.d.). U Glaubiců. https://uglaubicu.com/

Planeta Žižkov. (n.d.). Planeta Žižkov. http://www.planetazizkov.cz/

U Fleků. (n.d.). U Fleků. http://www.ufleku.cz/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Czech meals: 17 conventional dishes to eat in Prague. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/czech-foods/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Prague meals excursions. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/prague/