The Chinese minority is the biggest unrecognized minority in Hungary. But as any group of people, they keep their culture and community, and no wonder that some years ago a new China Town appeared in Budapest.
In fact, there are two parts of the ‘China Town’: one is a huge market between Orczy sq. and Hungária ring road, which is mostly wholesale, but there are also smaller vendors, several bistros, and even Chinese medicine centers; the other one, Monori Center, is further away from the center and is more food oriented. Apart from wholesale shops it has regular supermarkets, smaller shops, Chinese churches, firms, traditional Chinese medicine hospital, Chinese publishing houses, hairdressers, massage parlors, a hotel, and Karaoke.
It may not be the typical decorative China Town you may expect, but don’t let appearances fool you. It hosts some of the most authentic Chinese restaurants that serve seafood (a rarity in landlocked Hungary), hot pots, dumplings, and other typical dishes from across China. Spicy Fish, Wan Hao, and Milky Way are the ones worth visiting.
Summer is the best time to visit Monori center as from June 1 until August 31 a Night street food market takes place takes place there daily between 17:00 and 21:00. And do not miss the Chinese New year celebration there with a variety of cultural programs, performances, workshops, calligraphy classes, tea ceremony and, of course, even more street food! Just make sure to check their FaceBook page for upcoming events.