La´ngos a deep-fried, cheesy sensation
Biting into a piping hot slice of pizza has to be one of the world’s greatest pleasures. But launch into it too quickly and you risk burning your mouth – or suffering the unpleasant sensation known as ‘‘pizza palate’’. In Central Europe, you will find a genius and delicious fast-food solution that will safeguard the interior of your mouth from certain incineration.
La´ ngos is the beloved deep-fried flat bread of Hungary, which on first inspection resembles a dry pizza. After being cooked in hot oil, the golden brown disc is topped with raw ingredients.
One of the most delicious ways to order it is simply a topping of cold shredded cheese.
Instead of molten cheese that has the potential to destroy the roof of your mouth, the refrigerated cheddar provides relief in the heat of the moment, and as the toppings slowly melt into the puffy fried base, you still get that sought-after hit of cheesy umami.
The dish
The name la´ ngos comes from the Hungarian word for flame. There are varying stories of when and where the flat bread originated. Some say it was introduced by Ottoman Turks who ruled Hungary for about 150 years; others report it was baked as a treat on breadmaking days in Hungarian homes.
The bread moved from the wood-fired oven to the fryer after the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, when small businesses started to cook it in lard and oil. Until the early 1980s, there were only three common varieties of the street food. Now, nearly anything goes on top but the combination of sour cream and grated cheese is one of the most popular.
Other ways to enjoy la´ ngos are rubbed with a touch of garlic oil and salt or loaded with Hungarian kolba´ sz sausage. Contemporary creations include chorizo, red onion and cheese, or the decadent dessert option of Nutella and banana.
It is best eaten fresh from the fryer.
Find it overseas
Budapest is one of the best places to find the beloved street food.
What started as a tiny food stall beside an old subway station, Retro La´ ngos is now one of the most popular places in the Hungarian capital to enjoy la´ ngos. A plain la´ ngos, with or without garlic, is from €2.50 (NZ$4.50); retrolangos.hu.
Among ruin bars on Budapest’s busiest party street, Street Food Karava´ n is packed with vendors serving the traditional fried bread to la´ ngos burgers; instagram.com/karavan_budapest.
Find it here
La´ ngos is fast becoming a festival and fairground favourite in New Zealand. Auckland-based street food vendor Langos Fried Bread Puffs serves classic and contemporary takes, including the combinations of feta and tomato, and watercress and walnut pesto.
In New Plymouth, I Love Langos is popular at The Seaside Market; ilovelangos.business.site. And you will find Liam’s Hungarian Langos at South Island events and markets; facebook.com/ LangosLiam.