Where does the Lake Balaton hake actually come from?
Many people believe that the popular fried fish sold at the beaches of Lake Balaton, the hake, comes from Hungarian lakes. The reality, however, is quite different: hake is not a freshwater fish species, but a predatory sea fish that lives in the depths of the oceans.
This fish species is not native to Hungary, so these animals do not live in Hungarian natural waters, such as Lake Balaton. The hake served at catering establishments is transported to the country from great distances, usually in a frozen state, only to end up on plates as fried fish at the beaches.
The popularity of hake in Hungary has been unbroken for decades, especially during the summer season. Although many consider it a part of Hungarian gastronomy, it is important to know that the fish consumed are imported and are not the result of domestic fishing.
All in all, while hake is one of the most popular foods at Hungarian beaches, it is actually a sea predator. Customers and tourists should be aware that this fish does not come from Hungarian waters, but from the oceans to the menus of snack bars.