Hungary

Budapest Aran Bakery Jewish Quarter Hungary Bread

Everything you need to know about the Aran Bakery Budapest Hungary

Today, we’re heading to Budapest, the capital of Hungary and the home of Aran Bakery Budapest, the ultimate destination for bread lovers. Arán Bakery is the brainchild of Kinga and Attila Pécsi, a couple who pulled off a LeBron V3 and took their talents from Ireland back to their homeland. They opened their own bakery with an Irish name and influence, and started making some of the most delicious sourdough bread and pastries you’ll ever taste. In this blog post, we’ll give you the lowdown on Arán Bakery, from its history and products to its location and nearby attractions. We’ll also tell you why Arán Bakery is so popular and why you should visit it when you’re in Budapest. Trust us, this is one bakery that will make you say “Wow!” or “Wow!” in Hungarian, which is “Hűha!” So buckle up and get ready for a mouthwatering ride with Arán Bakery. History of the Aran Bakery Budapest Kinga and Attila Pécsi are the owners of Arán Bakery, which means “bread” in the Irish language. They both have a background in the hospitality industry and moved to Dublin, Ireland in 2008. There, Kinga enrolled in a course on Baking and Pastry Arts Management at the Technical University of Dublin, where she met famous bakers and inspiring teachers. She also participated in various workshops in Ireland, UK, France and Belgium. She fell in love with sourdough bread and decided to make it her profession. In 2017, Kinga won “The best sourdough” and the “Best fermented product” awards at a competition organized by ABST (Association of Bakery Students and Trainees). The next year, she and Attila decided to move back to Budapest and open their own bakery with an Irish name and influence. They brought their sourdough starter, Paddy, with them, which has Irish, American, British, French, Canadian and Hungarian roots. What to try at the Arán Bakery in Hungary Sourdough bread. The sourdough bread from the Arán Bakery comes in different flavors and shapes, such as white, whole wheat, rye, spelt, walnut, olive, cheese and onion. Their sourdough bread is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a complex flavor and aroma. This is literally enough of a reason to visit Budapest. Besides sourdough bread, Arán Bakery also sells pastries, cakes, quiches, sandwiches and coffee. Some of their most popular and delicious products are: Arán Bakery has won several awards for their sourdough bread and fermented products. They have also been featured in various media outlets, such as Tripadvisor², Offbeat Budapest³ and We Love Budapest⁴. Where is the Arán Bakery in Hungary? Arán Bakery has two branches in Budapest. The original one is located in the Jewish Quarter (District VII), at the corner of Wesselényi Street and Nagy Diófa Street. The second one is located in Buda (District II), at Margit Boulevard 62. The bakery has a minimal and industrial design, with wooden furniture and metal shelves. The display cases are filled with tempting products that you can see from the street. The bakery also has some stools and tables where you can sit and enjoy your treats. What luxury hotels are near the Arán Bakery Budapest? The best luxury hotel within walking distance of the Aran Bakery Budapest is the Corinthia Hotel Budapest. To read more about great bakeries in Budapest, and the hotels you’ll want to spend your carb comas in, check out our Hotels & Bread guide to Budapest. What bread is famous in Hungary? Bread is perhaps the most important and basic part of the Hungarian diet. It is eaten at all meals, accompanying main dishes. Before the fall of communism in 1990, white bread was a staple food. Numerous other types of baked goods, such as buns and pastries both salty and sweet, often creatively filled, have proliferated in recent years¹. Bread has a significant role in Hungarian cuisine and culture. It symbolizes life, health and prosperity. It is also a sign of hospitality and respect. Hungarians usually say a blessing before cutting a loaf of bread, and never throw away bread crumbs or stale bread. Instead, they use them for making dishes like bread pudding or bread soup. Some of the traditional and typical breads that Hungarians eat are: Why is the Arán Bakery so popular? Arán Bakery stands out from other bakeries in Hungary for several reasons. First of all, they use quality ingredients and natural sourdough starter to make their products. Their sourdough bread has a unique flavor and texture that comes from their starter, Paddy, which has been nurtured for years. Secondly, they combine international influences with local traditions to create innovative and delicious products. They offer both Irish and Hungarian specialties, as well as other European and American pastries and cakes. They also experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create seasonal and festive products. Thirdly, they provide excellent service and a cozy atmosphere to their customers. They are friendly, helpful and passionate about their work. They also have a minimal and industrial design for their bakery, which creates a contrast with their warm and inviting products. Who runs the Arán Bakery Budapest? Arán Bakery is run by Kinga and Attila Pécsi, a couple who moved to Ireland and learned about baking there, then returned to Budapest and opened their own bakery with an Irish name and influence. They are both experienced and skilled bakers who have won awards and recognition for their products. Kinga and Attila are also passionate about their work and their customers. They love to share their stories, achievements and challenges as bakers and entrepreneurs. They also love to learn from other bakers around the world and keep up with the latest trends and techniques. What else is there to do in the Jewish Quarter in Budapest? The Jewish Quarter (District VII) is where Arán Bakery’s original branch is located. It is one of the most vibrant and diverse areas of Budapest, where you can find historical, cultural and culinary highlights. Some of the

The Best Budapest Bakeries and Luxury Hotels

Hungarians love bread. You’ll find the best Budapest bakeries littered around the city, celebrating it’s long and rich history, dating back to the ancient times when Hungarians used to bake bread in communal ovens. Bread is not only a staple food, but also a symbol of hospitality, culture, and religion. Plus, Hungarians celebrate lots of occasions with special breads, such as St. Stephen’s Day, Easter, and Christmas. Obviously when you go, you’ll want to stay in the best luxury hotels around – better if they’re in walking distance so after you go take some sick shots of fluffy Lángos or other carb porn for your Instagram before you dine. Traditional Breads You Have To Try In Budapest To do it right, you need to know the best kinds of Hungarian bread to sample while you’re there. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, flat or fluffy, plain or filled, there is a bread for everyone. Here are some of the most popular and delicious types of bread you must try when in Hungary. Take a look: Lángos Lángos is a classic Hungarian fried bread, sold everywhere by street carts and vendors. It can be topped with a variety of ingredients but is usually eaten as is. Fluffy and light, this favorite fair food is made from yeasted dough and often with additional mashed potatoes to make krumplis lángos (potato lángos). Traditionally, when Hungarian people used to bake bread in communal brick ovens, they’d save a piece of dough and bake it off in the morning for breakfast. This piece of breakfast bread gradually evolved into a deep-fried snack like those found in other countries that share cultural backgrounds with Hungary like Turkey, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Austria. These popular snacks are usually served rubbed with garlic, sprinkled with salt, and with some combination of sour cream, onions, kefir, sausage, eggs, yogurt, cheese, ham, or bacon¹. St. Stephen’s Day Bread St. Stephen’s Day Bread is a special bread that bakers prepare to celebrate the founding of the state of Hungary on August 20th. The bakers have to make the bread mostly from wheat products, using the traditional sourdough technique, and bakers are only allowed to use natural Hungarian ingredients. In the description of their product, bakers have to reference the tradition they used or the region the bread was from. The bread has to meet the requirements of the Hungarian Food Book (Codex Alimentarius Hungaricus) which is a set of regulations regarding the quality of Hungarian food products. The bread is usually decorated with symbols related to Hungary’s history and culture, such as the crown, the cross, or the coat of arms². Aranygaluska Aranygaluska, translated as golden dumplings, is a traditional Hungarian dessert that is believed to have influenced the invention of the popular American monkey bread. It consists of small balls of yeast dough coated with melted butter and sugar, baked in a bundt pan until golden and caramelized. The dough balls are often filled with nuts or jam, and sometimes sprinkled with poppy seeds or cinnamon. The dessert is served warm with vanilla custard or whipped cream³. Pogácsa Pogácsa are small savory pastries that are often served as appetizers or snacks. They are made from yeast dough enriched with butter, sour cream, eggs, and cheese. They can also contain other ingredients such as bacon bits, ham cubes, onion flakes, or seeds. Pogácsa are usually round and flat, with a golden crust and a soft interior. They are best eaten fresh from the oven or reheated. Kalács Kalács is a traditional Hungarian sweet bread that is usually baked in a braided form, and sometimes enriched with raisins, cinnamon, poppy seeds, or walnuts. It is similar to brioche, and it is made with flour, butter, eggs, sugar, yeast, and milk.  Kalács is considered an Easter food in Hungary, but it can also be eaten for breakfast or as a snack. The name kalács comes from the Old Slavonic word kolo, meaning “circle” or “wheel.” Kifli Kifli are crescent-shaped rolls that are similar to croissants but less flaky and more dense. They are made from yeast dough that is rolled out thinly and folded several times before being shaped into crescents. Kifli can be plain or filled with various ingredients such as cheese, jam, chocolate, poppy seeds, or walnuts. They are usually eaten for breakfast or as a snack with coffee or tea. Bejgli Bejgli are cylindrical pastries that are traditionally eaten at Christmas and Easter in Hungary. They are made from yeast dough that is rolled out thinly and spread with a filling of poppy seeds or walnuts mixed with sugar and honey. The dough is then rolled up tightly and baked until golden brown. Bejgli are sliced into thin pieces and served cold or at room temperature The best Budapest bakeries Ok, enough prep work. You’re ready to go find the best bakeries in Budapest, and you just wanna know where they are, where to get them, what to get, etc. 1. Artizan Artizan is known for it’s insane Sourdough breads and kalács (sweet rolls). Closest hotel: Prestige Hotel Budapest 2. Auguszt Cukrászda Auguszt Cukrászda is an upscale pastry shop that dates back to 1870 and is run by the fourth generation of the Auguszt family. They offer a variety of traditional Hungarian cakes and pastries, including pogácsa and aranygaluska. Auguszt Buda is located on the Buda side of the city and has a charming interior with antique furniture and chandeliers. Closest Hotel: Hotel Clark Budapest 3. Bite Bakery Cafe Good (not the best) cafe, but it’s quite close to the Ritz so I’m including it here. Closest Hotel: Rize Carlton Budapest 4. Kuglóf Kuglóf is an elegant bakery and cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, as well as cakes and pastries. Everything is great, but if you’re there in the right season, try their bejgli which comes in poppy seed, walnut, chestnut, and chocolate flavors. You can order by phone until December 22nd. Closest Hotel: Hotel Clark

Scroll to Top