Famous Local German Food – a Culinary Trip

Jun 11th, 2020 | By: Kai Chen
Food is not only an essential part of our everyday lives, but it is also an important aspect of one’s culture. We often share our culture through food, but sometimes forget that food, just like culture, can differ quite a lot within a country, depending on the region or city. While German food is often associated with “bratwurst” and “sauerkraut”, it is much more diverse than the initial stereotypical image most people have in their minds.
This article will take you on a culinary trip through Germany, learning about different dishes and their origins that you might not have heard of yet.

Königsberger Klopse

Königsberger Klopse (Photo by ichkocheheute)

Königsberger Klopse is one of the most famous dishes in Germany. As the name states, it originated from the historic city in Prussia, which is nowadays known as Kaliningrad in Russia. In essence, Königsberger Klopse is a dish that consists of meatballs in a lemon caper sauce, which are often served with potatoes on the side. You can try this delicious dish at our Hamburg spot Casse-Croûte or make it yourself, a recipe for this dish can be found at ichkocheheute.

Berliner

Berliner

These delicious looking donuts are called various names, depending on the region. One of the most common names is Berliner, named after Germany’s capital and its city of origin. Berliner are pancakes/donuts that are often filled with strawberry jam and then deep-fried. A delicious treat that almost everyone loves! You can find Berliner in every bakery in Germany.

Lübecker Marzipan

Marzipan (Photo by The Spruce Eats)

When looking at food that is famous in the Northern part of Germany, then one will not miss Lübecker Marzipan. The sweet treat that is made of almonds comes from the city Lübeck, which is closely located to Hamburg. Some people love it, some people hate it. But surely, everyone in Germany knows it.

Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten (Photo by gutekueche.de)

Moving towards Central Germany, Sauerbraten is a famous national dish that has originated from the region called Rhineland. Sauerbraten is a roast meat in a sweet and slightly tard sauce. Most commonly, it is served with red cabbage and potatoes on the side. Yes, Germans love their potatoes. An authentic recipe can be found at gutekueche.de.

Frankfurter Grie Soß

Frankfurter Grie Soß (Photo by Benreis on Wikipedia)

Typical for Frankfurt is a dish called “Frankfurter Grie Soß”, which literally translates into “green sauce”. As you can tell by the picture, the name is an accurate visual representation of that dish. Frankfurter Grie Soß consists of a sauce that is made out of seven different herbs and served with eggs and potatoes. You can try this dish at one of our Frankfurt spots, Fichtekränzi.

Himmel und Erde

Himmel und Erde (Photo by wdr1)

What makes this dish from Central Germany so special is most likely its name “Himmel und Erde”, which is literally translated into “Heaven and Earth”. A popular dish in Cologne, Himmel und Erde comes with four components: blood sausage, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, and fried onions. What sounds like a crazy combination is actually a very delicious dish that is contrasting in flavor and texture. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Photo by Dr. Oetker)

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is probably one of the most famous cakes from Germany. The name refers to a region in Southern Germany, the black forest and the vast amount of cherries that grow in that part of Germany. Chocolate, whipped cream, and beautiful cherries. What else is there to love?

Weißwurst

Weißwurst (Photo by Eat Smarter)

While many non-Germans might have heard of the classical “Currywurst”, which is a fried sausage in a spicy curry sauce, the Bavarian Weißwurst is probably lesser-known. Weißwurst means “white sausage”, which makes sense when looking at it. It is usually just served with some sweet mustard and pretzels. Simple, yet very typical and delicious. Make sure to look out for it when visiting Munich or another place in Bavaria.

Last Changed Date: 2016-05-19 11:45:13 +0200 (Thu, 19 May 2016)