MAIN INGREDIENTS
Labskaus is a dish from northern Germany consisting of corned beef, mashed potatoes, and beets, with additional ingredients such as fried eggs, pickles, and rollmops—a pickled, rolled herring. Although its origins are somewhat murky, the dish was most probably invented in the 16th century, when it was typically eaten by poor people, sailors, and seamen, due to the fact that pickled and canned foods were inexpensive and could last during long travels.
Although the dish is particularly popular in the cities of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lübeck, variations of labskaus are prepared and consumed throughout northern Europe.
MOST ICONIC Labskaus
View moreFischbrötchen is a commonly consumed sandwich in Northern Germany, made with fish and a variety of other ingredients such as pickles, remoulade, onions, lettuce, or horseradish. The ingredients are typically placed in round or elongated bread buns, while the type of fish used in the sandwich is variable – herring, sprat, salmon, and mackerel are among the most common fish used in the preparation of this sandwich, which is commonly served at fast-food stands in the region.
MOST ICONIC Fischbrötchen
MAIN INGREDIENTS
This delicious German sweet pastry is traditionally served with a cup of coffee on the side. Initially made only in the Hamburg area, it is now also available in other German cities. The original recipe for these little pastries includes flour, butter, milk, yeast, and sugar, with a filling consisting of sugar and cinnamon.
However, raisins, chocolate, or pumpkin seeds may also be added. The dough is folded multiple times and glazed with butter, developing a sticky coating and rich flavor in the process. The name of this dish is possibly related to the French, who had occupied Hamburg during Napoleon's rule.
MOST ICONIC Franzbrötchen
Pan-fried potatoes are a classic, versatile German dish that is easily adapted with additional ingredients and comes in different flavor combinations. The potatoes are traditionally diced or sliced, buttered and salted, and can be then combined with bacon, ham, onions, vegetables, and a variety of fresh herbs and spices.
The key is to achieve crispy, golden potatoes that stay soft and tender on the inside. Simple and affordable, bratkartoffeln is a common restaurant dish as well as a popular home-cooked meal that is usually served as an accompaniment to roasted or grilled meat, sausages, fish, or fried eggs.
MOST ICONIC Bratkartoffeln
Königsberger Klopse is a savory meal consisting of meatballs in a white sauce served with a side of boiled potatoes and sliced pickled beets. Similar dishes have existed since the Middle Ages, but klopse (lit. meatballs) were invented in Königsberg (now known as Kaliningrad) back in the 18th century.
These meatballs are mostly made with minced veal and a small amount of either anchovies, sardines, or herrings, which are nicely contrasted by capers in the white sauce.
MOST ICONIC Königsberger Klopse
MAIN INGREDIENTS
No other dish in Germany is as well known as currywurst, a street snack that has become an indispensable part of Germany’s culinary heritage. The dish is made from two essential parts - boiled and subsequently fried sausage, served whole or sliced, and a smooth and rich curry-spiced tomato sauce.
With a portion of french fries or a kaiser roll on the side, the dish is usually lightly dusted with yellow curry powder. A wide range of sausages are used for currywurst, but the famous German bratwurst is the most commonly used variety.
The real star of this dish is its gravy-like sauce made with puréed tomatoes and infused with the aromatic curry powder.
MOST ICONIC Currywurst
MAIN INGREDIENTS
German potato pancakes are a restaurant staple, a homemade classic, and a popular street food snack. They are prepared with a thick batter that employs grated raw potatoes, flour, and eggs, and are usually shaped into flat, round discs that are shortly pan-fried until golden and crispy.
Even though they are often served as a complement to stews, grilled meat, and sausages, potato pancakes make an excellent snack or main course. Kartoffelpuffers are traditionally accompanied by creamy apple sauce, fruit preserves, or sour cream.
MOST ICONIC Kartoffelpuffer
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Leberkäse is a traditional product consisting of ground meat that is flavored with onions and baked into a meatloaf. The loaf is characterized by a crispy crust on the exterior, while the interior remains juicy and pink. The dish can be served either hot or cold, and it is recommended to pair it with mustard and bread, while some like to fry the slices of meatloaf in a pan and consume it as a quick snack.