Mangalica (also spelled mangalitsa) is a Hungarian breed of pig with a thick, curly coat, a bit like a sheep. The meat is rich and marbled with soft fat, and Hungarians are very proud of it. It is the star of Hungarian pork.
Photo: Kicsinyul / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
You will find it in many forms, from cured ham and salami to slow-cooked dishes. The one to try is mangalica cheek, which is rich and melts in your mouth.
Where to try it. Negro Mangalica on Dohány utca (you can book a table online) builds its menu around the pig, from a ham plate with forest mushrooms to dishes cooked with red wine. This is the place to order the cheek.
Local tip. The meat is fatty and filling, so share a few plates instead of ordering one big main. At the Central Market Hall many stalls sell salami, and it is worth asking whether it is made from mangalica.
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