Reviews & Tests

Hululu Experience

Vietnamese in Budapest

Written and analysed by Ryusei Hosono • September 17, 2019 • Updated: July 3, 2024

Hululu Experience Photo: Ryusei Hosono / RyuKoch

TL;DR

Hululu Erfahrung is a Vietnamese restaurant located in Budapest, offering a menu filled with a variety of traditional dishes. The site highlights the authors' dining experiences, particularly their visits to several Vietnamese eateries to escape the heavier Hungarian cuisine. The restaurant's hours are Monday to Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM, while it remains closed on Sundays. A review by Matthias rates Hululu at 2 out of 5, focusing on their experiences with popular dishes like Bun Bo Hue and Bun Cha, which did not meet expectations in terms of flavor. The Bun Bo Hue was described as mild and lacking the characteristic spicy broth, while the Bun Cha's pork was over-marinated, masking its natural taste. Despite these culinary disappointments, the pricing—10€ for a small menu and 11€ for a large menu—was considered reasonable for a quick lunch option in Budapest. The restaurant's extensive menu offers many familiar Vietnamese dishes, but the overall impression emphasizes that there are better Vietnamese restaurants to explore.

Details

Type: Restaurant
Published: September 17, 2019
Visited on: December 2, 2
Rating:
Price Category: 47.4983779
Touristic Level:

6/10
Address: Budapest, Akácfa u. 16, 1072 Hungary

Online Reviews Summary

This family-run Vietnamese spot in Budapest earns consistent praise for its fresh, high-quality dishes—from fragrant pho and zingy prawn soups to hearty curries, pad thai and sticky mango rice. Starters like spring rolls and gyozas are singled out as among the best in town, and even simple homemade lemonades and iced teas receive rave reviews. Many guests return again and again, noting that each plate is generously portioned and perfectly balanced, with bold flavors that transport you straight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Beyond the food, diners love the cozy, welcoming atmosphere and the friendly, attentive staff who go out of their way to explain dishes, recommend pairings and even help with chopstick technique. Despite its small size—often leading to a busy dining room—service remains swift and warm, with outdoor seating and easy access by public transport adding to the appeal. Prices are viewed as very reasonable given the top-notch ingredients and portion sizes, making it a popular choice for both casual lunches and special evenings out. To make the most of your visit, consider booking a table in advance (especially on weekends), arrive early to snag a cozy corner and be sure to try a mix of starters, soups and curries to sample the breadth of the menu. Whether you’re craving classic pho, experimental fusion dishes or a simple bowl of prawn noodle soup, this hidden gem delivers authentic Vietnamese flavors and a genuinely memorable dining experience.

The detailed experience report from RyuKoch

Hululu at a Glance

We love to eat Vietnamese food, especially when certain dishes are on the menu. During our stay in Budapest, we visited many Vietnamese restaurants because the hearty Hungarian cuisine is not something we can enjoy every day.

We found this small place called Hululu on Google and immediately visited it for lunch.

Opening Hours

Mon - Sat: 11:30 - 22:30
Sun: Closed

Rating

Matthias: 2/5

Price

10€ for a small menu
11€ for a large menu

Summary

We have visited many Vietnamese restaurants. Most of the orders we place are either Pho Bo, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Hue or Bun Bo Nam Bo. Accordingly, Matthias in particular can assess how the restaurants we visit suit his taste.

We were not entirely satisfied with Hululu. We are used to better soups with Bun Bo Hue, because the one in Hululu was rather mild. Normally, the broth would be redder and chili oil would be clearly visible; unfortunately, not in this case. This dish therefore did not convince us in terms of taste. The other dish we ordered, called Bun Cha, was also only in the lower midfield in terms of taste. Normally, pork is grilled over charcoal, which gives it a smoky flavor. The meat is only lightly marinated so that its own flavor can be recognized. However, the meat here was so marinated that you could not taste its own flavor. There are much better Bun Cha dishes! Only the price at Hululu was ok. For a quick lunch in Budapest, the restaurant is more than enough. Pricewise ok, tastewise so-so. Keep in mind, we only tried 2 dishes!