In this part of our series “My Tie to Hungary”, Gulsevar from Uzbekistan shares her gourmet memories with us.
When I think about the object that reflects my connection to Hungary, I immediately think about Hungarian pastries, especially the famous chimney cake. I still remember when I first tried it in November 2024.
I was walking through the streets of Budapest, specifically in Deák Ferenc tér with my friends. It was not initially in our plans but we saw people gathering around a small bakery stand. The smell of warm dough, sugar, and cinnamon filled the air, and we were all very curious to try it. When I took the first bite of the chimney cake, it was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated with sugar.
It felt like a quite simple moment, but somehow it made me feel connected to the culture around me.
For me, chimney cake is not just a dessert. It reminds me of exploring Budapest, walking near Christmas markets, and seeing how food can bring people together. In my home country, Uzbekistan, we also have traditional sweets, and trying Hungarian pastries made me realise how every culture expresses itself through food. Every time I eat chimney cake now, it reminds me that living in Hungary is not only about studying, but also about discovering new traditions and small joyful experiences.
And what I have noticed is that eating this traditional Hungarian sweet elevates my mood during my hectic academic years here in Hungary. I believe this is something I will definitely try to learn to bake on my own when I go back to Uzbekistan.