10 Foods to Try on a Trip to Germany
Germans put as much love and care into their food as they do their cars, with a focus on quality ingredients and deliciously hearty recipes.
It's true that meat, potatoes and bread are often at the heart of many meals and snacks - but our German cousins do these as well as anyone (and often much better).
Then there's the cheese (see the tasty ‘kaesespaetzle’ below), and for dessert, there’s a dizzying array of pastries and cakes to choose from.
Exploring Germany by way of your stomach comes highly recommended!
Here's 10 foods to try on your next trip to Germany...
Sausages
The notion that Germans enjoy a good sausage has become a cliche - but it's a pretty accurate one.
Most famous of all Teutonic sausages is the Currywurst - which originated in Berlin after the war.
Currywurst takes its name from the curry powder which British soldiers used to add to the ketchup they poured over the traditional German pork sausage.
This popular street food is served with chips and is found nationwide.
Less well known but equally delicious is the Thüringer Ros bratwurst. This is made with mincemeat from the state of Thüringen, and is served with mashed potato, spices, and garlic.
For a lighter sausage, try the Weiss Wurst - or white sausage. This is made of minced veal and pork, and is served with sweet mustard. Common in Munich - and Bavaria in general.
For a multi-sausage treat, consider the Nürnberger Ros bratwurst. These smaller sausages are often served with a potato salad and sauerkraut.
Rinderroulade
Rinderroulade comprises a thin slice of beef which is rolled with bacon, onions, and pickles, then roasted.
While you may find this in some restaurants, it's more common as a home-cooked dish made for family events - especially in winter.
A variant of the rinderrouladen is the kohlrouladen, which features mincemeat wrapped in cabbage leaves.
Schnitzel (thin slice of meat)
The world-famous schnitzel is simply a thin slice of meat that has been breaded before frying.
Pork and chicken are the most common types of meat, but veal is the most traditional.
Some restaurants may also offer vegetarian or vegan variants of schnitzel.
The best known of all is the 'wiener schnitzel' - which originates from Vienna, Austria.
Other tasty types to look out for include the Jager schnitzel - a rural version ladled with a to-die-for mushroom sauce.
Kaesespaetzle (cheese dumplings)
This (usually) meat-free delight is one to note for the vegetarians. It features short noodles or dumplings in a rich cheese sauce, and is often garnished with fried onions.
Kaesespaetzle originated in southern Germany, but you'll find it served nationwide.
It's comparable to mac 'n' cheese, but with those crunchy fried onions on top, it's arguably better!
Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich)
The fish sandwich is a common snack, particularly in Germany's north (where the fish comes from!).
Fischbrötchen comes in many forms, but is often served in a crunchy bread roll with pickles, onions and remoulade or creamy horseradish sauce.
Variants feature salmon, mackerel, and cod. There's also a shrimp version called nordseekrabbenbrotchen (North Sea crab sandwich), which is a mouthful in more ways than one. It's also one of the more costly Fischbrötchen, at around 10 euros a pop!
Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle)
Another popular dish from the south, schweinshaxe is a slow-roasted pork knuckle with a delightfully crispy exterior.
Commonly served with fried potatoes and sauerkraut, schweinshaxe is a big hit during Munich's Oktoberfest.
Barbecue fans should make time for this mouth-watering meal.
Mettbroetchen
For most Brits, this will be a challenging bite: raw minced pork spread into a crusty bread.
It's often served with raw onion or gherkins - but they won't disguise the 'unique' taste of mettbroetchen.
Doner kebab
In contrast to mettbroetchen, most Brits won't need to be asked twice if they want a doner kebab!
The sandwich-based meal usually features rotisserie chicken or veal and is served with a host of vegetables including cucumber and cabbage. Most outlets offer a fantastic array of delicious sauces to put on top.
It's a hearty, satisfying meal that offers great value for money. But how does it compare to the UK-Turkish doner? There's only one way to find out!
Flammkuchen
Comparable to pizza, this dish features a disc of thin dough baked with a variety of toppings - including onion, bacon and cheese.
Flammkuchen, which originates from an area on the French-German border, might be thought of as 'pizza-lite'.
Brot and gebäck (bread and pastries)
German bakeries produce some of the finest breads and pastries on the planet (although their Gallic neighbours often get much of the glory in this department).
While Germany is famed for its savoury items, you may feel the need for a post-meal sugar hit.
Luckily, there is a bewildering array of cakes and pastries to choose from, including nussecken - a pastry corner with jam, chocolate, and roasted nuts on top; and the Franzbrotchen, which is a larger, denser version of a croissant, infused with cinnamon and butter.
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