Halušky offered to visitors of a festival. (source: TASR)
Bryndzové halušky, a word that if you have just arrived to Slovakia you will struggle saying it, and when hearing the contents of it, many people have said "And where's the meat? I may still be hungry after that." I know I remember saying those words, and I also remember needing a good nap and rest after enjoying it for the first time.
There are many other great meals you can try living here in Bratislava, like kapustnica, klobasa with mustard, chicken perkelt, pork's knees and of course duck, but the one meal everyone seems to recommend to anyone who arrives to Bratislava is b ryndzové halušky, and with good reason, it is quite delicious and very filling but unfortunately as I have experienced it is not that easy to master.
This meal is so popular that I have found it offered from pizza restaurants to your typical cantina. There are restaurants that serve typical Slovak food (apart from the old town restaurants) known as kolibas or chatas, I have not found many of them in Bratislava but when travelling in Slovakia I make a point to visit these places as often as I can.
Questions from expats are posted everywhere, so where can I find the best bryndzové halušky? And while there are a couple of recommended places I have found that having a great experience in a restaurant once, does not mean the next time you will get to enjoy the same delicious bryndzové halušky again. You see, the complexities of the dish come from making sure the potato pasta (halusky) is soft enough but not mushy! the sheep cheese (bryndza) is better enjoyed during it's peak season May and those small pieces of bacon? Yes you can overcook them in no time.
Therefore when someone asks me which place has the best bryndzové halušky, I can only say that a lot of times it depends on your luck, but if the restaurant offers it, don't miss your chance to try it. In my case I feel that one time a few years ago, I came to try a plate as close as the perfect bryndzové halušky, I was traveling back from Košice and we stopped in this koliba restaurant during the middle of our trip. I went back there one more time but unfortunately the experience wasn't the same.
Finally I can say that I love the Slovak cuisine, and while I am not so sure that I will be able to experience the perfect bryndzové halušky anytime soon, I know I will enjoy the journey as I continue having this plate every time I get to.
By Diego Loyola - InterNations Ambassadors Bratislava
