A Guide to German Food – Berlin
Going to Germany? Whether you’re heading to Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg or somewhere else, you’ll likely be asking yourself what to do in Germany. While German cuisine is just as internationally renowned as many other European cuisines such as Italian, there has also developed quite a passion for it over the years. The next few paragraphs will provide an insight into some of the most popular German dishes and what exactly you can expect when dining in Germany. Let’s get started!
There are several types of German food that you can order in Germany, but the most popular dishes include dumplings and steaks. Typical Germany local food consists of these types of food, which are typically served alongside red sauce or a potato salad. Most restaurants will offer this kind of meal with either wild game or pork as its primary ingredient.
One of the most popular German food in Germany is the pork knuckle. Originating in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, this dish uses a pork knuckle that has been preserved by hanging it in the oven while it is cooked over an open fire. The best pork knuckle is sourced from Berlin, which is why there are many authentic buns that are made from this particular cut of meat. Some people will even pickle the meat for an added treat.
Another very popular German dish that is ordered at German restaurants in Germany is bratwurst. A sliced meat bread sandwich, bratwurst is typically served with fried potatoes and vegetables. In addition to being served alongside the meat, bratwurst is also spiced and eaten with red sauce or a mixture of sauces. Other popular German dishes include, grilled chicken, which are brushed with butter and vinegar, and dumplings. Dumplings are similarly cooked and served with dumpling sauce.
Maultaschen is a traditional German food that usually consists of two pieces of beef or mutton that is simmered in a pot of broth. Usually, maultaschen is served during Christmas. There are various versions of the traditional recipe, but one of the most popular version is pork and onions mixed together and simmered until tender. Other versions of maultaschen may include spicy ham or Swiss maultaschen. Sometimes these dumplings are topped with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.
Probably one of the best German dishes that can be served in a fancy restaurant is currywurst. Although currywurst has a close resemblance to the British curry, it is actually quite different when it comes to preparation. In the United Kingdom, curry is made by boiling meat in spices for hours, often resulting in the meat being dried out and the spices becoming burnt. The German version on the other hand, cooks the meat very slowly and uses more seasonings than its British counterpart. In addition to using more seasonings, Germany actually uses less fat in their currywurst, making it a healthier dish than most American curries.
Although currywurst is considered the best food in Germany, traditional German pork sausage is often eaten as well. Often these sausages are spiced with various herbs and spices, including thyme, Rosemary, ginger, garlic, and savory. If you are having this dish served at a fine restaurant, they will offer you a side dish consisting of sliced raw onion, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. This dish is served along with the meat itself, or you could just have it as is.
While we have only touched on a few dishes in this German guide to food, there are many more dishes from German cuisine that you could try if you decide to explore this fascinating country. Some of my favorites include: grilled potato dumples and baked potato rounds, pork rinds, and of course, beer. You can find great Berlin restaurants where these and other dishes are served. Berlin is also home to some wonderful German wine regions, which means you can also enjoy some great wine in this German city. In fact, I believe you should try both German wine and German food. You may be surprised!
