Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Goulash is a hearty soup or stew of meat and vegetables, deeply seasoned with paprika and other spices. Paprika itself is a vibrant red spice ground from dried peppers. While both are staples in Romanian cooking, their true birthplace is Hungary. Goulash is widely regarded as Hungary's national dish, and the word "paprika" comes directly from the Hungarian word for bell pepper. So, despite their popularity across Central Europe, these culinary icons are distinctly Hungarian.