Lángos, the deep-fried dough that holds a special place in Hungarian cuisine, is making waves far beyond the Carpathian Basin. Just last year, Hungarian Conservative reported on a street food truck run by a Hungarian Icelandic couple at the foot of Iceland’s remote Sólheimajökull glacier. Now, Hungarian TV channel ATV has spotlighted a new outpost of Hungarian culinary culture—this time in the heart of Seoul.
Tucked away in the lively Gyeongnidan-gil neighbourhood of the South Korean capital, The Langos opened its doors in September 2023. The restaurant is the brainchild of Korean couple Jing-ji and Sihong, who fell in love with the dish during a trip to Budapest. Captivated by its crisp exterior and savoury depth, they returned home determined to bring a taste of Hungary to Seoul.
With a background in baking, Jing-ji spent two months fine-tuning their lángos recipe—translating Hungarian instructions with the help of online tools and plenty of trial and error. Today, the menu features five types of lángos, including the Hungarian classic topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese.
‘The Langos has also become a cultural bridge’
Other varieties range from vegetable and basil-ham to a hearty Hungarian-style version with salami and bacon. There’s even a dessert option served with ice cream, nodding to local Korean sweet flavours. The restaurant also offers goulash soup and fröccs, the beloved Hungarian wine spritzer.
Getting locals on board wasn’t easy at first—many mistook lángos for pizza—, but the couple gradually won them over through food festivals and a strong Instagram presence. Interestingly, in true Korean fashion, most customers eat lángos with scissors—an unexpected twist that blends Hungarian street food with Korean dining habits.
The Langos has also become a cultural bridge, attracting both locals and Hungarian expatriates, including staff from the Hungarian embassy and the Liszt Institute. Jing-ji and Sihong aspire to expand their venture, aiming to make Hungarian cuisine a staple across South Korea.
Watch the whole video below:
Related articles:
