The 10 most popular German street foods  Urban Bites: From Heritage to Hipster

Germany has never enjoyed the best reputation when it comes to cuisine. However today, the country has a lot more to offer than just sauerkraut and pork knuckle. Strongly influenced by migration in recent decades, the German street food scene now boasts an array of delicious dishes.

Bratwurst

No major public event, from football match to funfair, would be complete without the basic but beloved Bratwurst. The Bratwurst varies from region to region, but it’s always grilled and typically served in a bread roll with mustard or ketchup. Firm favourites are the thick Thuringian sausage and slender Nuremberg Rostbratwurst.
 

Currywurst

From the “Ruhrpott” region to Hamburg’s Schanze district, from train passengers to employees in office canteens, Currywurst is loved by everyone, everywhere. A Currywurst is a spicy grilled sausage served with a generous portion of curry sauce and often accompanied by French fries or a bread roll. According to one catering service, it was Germany’s most popular canteen snack 28 times in a row until 2020. But times have changed and it only rates third today, with vegetarians turning away from the traditional Currywurst. Luckily, there are now equally tasty vegetarian alternatives.
 

Döner Kebab

A staple for many young people is undoubtedly the Döner Kebab. Berlin students campaigned for years to bring a kebab shop to their university campus – and in 2023 their wish was finally granted. And rightly so, because a generously filled flatbread bursting with grilled meat, lettuce, assorted veg and sauce not only delights the taste buds, it’s also a satisfying, on-the-go snack. In response to soaring prices, young people are currently calling on policymakers – humorously yet earnestly – to implement price caps on kebabs.
 

Fischbrötchen

If you’ve seen the photo of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel eating a matjes, or soused herring, you’re unlikely to forget it! Chancellor Olaf Scholz also decided to treat French President Macron and his wife to a Bismarck herring during their visit to Hamburg. While Fischbrötchen, or fish rolls, might not initially appeal to everyone, once you’ve acquired a taste for them, they become an irresistible treat. Packed with nutrients and satisfyingly filling, they leave you smelling unmistakeably of onions and tartar sauce! For those who are new to fish rolls, we suggest starting with a salmon or fried fish roll before moving on to herring in all its variations.
 

Brezel

The Brezel, or pretzel, is a crispy-chewy treat that really hits the spot when you’re feeling peckish at a beer garden or during a concert. The most common pretzels are the Swabian Laugenbrezeln with their distinctively “fat belly” and “thin arms”, or the Bavarian Brezen with their uniformly thick arms. Brezel are best eaten plain or spread with butter or a layer of cream cheese.
 

Kumpir

Germans love their potatoes, so it’s no surprise that this originally Turkish dish is also extremely popular here. Large potatoes are baked in the oven, cut in half and filled with whatever toppings you fancy.
 

Belegtes Brot/Stulle

Whether homemade or fresh from your local bakery, a German belegtes Brot or Stulle (sandwich), is a simple and satisfying snack that often brings back fond memories of childhood. The sandwich is also open to culinary creativity – from simple cheese and salami classics to the more sophisticated variations with avocado, rocket and egg.
 

Southeast Asian cuisine

Many German people today still say they’re eating at an “Asian” restaurant when they actually mean Southeast Asian cuisine. “Asian” snack bars in Germany typically serve fried rice, stir-fry noodles and a variety of curries. Particularly in east Germany, takeaways like this are frequently run by former Vietnamese “contract workers” in the GDR who looked for new job opportunities after reunification. While the traditional noodle box with its soy and hot chili sauce is becoming less common, Vietnamese, Korean and Thai dishes like pho, ramen and pad thai continue to enjoy enormous popularity.
 

Falafel

Kebab shops often sell deep-fried chickpea balls as a vegetarian alternative to their meat dishes. But freshly prepared falafel are a class of their own. Typically served on a flatbread, they come with assorted sauces made from sesame, peanut or mango, with choice of sauce and preparation methods varying from restaurant to restaurant. In Germany, most falafel snack bars are run by Lebanese, Palestinians, Israelis, Sudanese and Egyptians.
 

Gebrannte Mandeln

Roasted almonds are a sweet treat whose tantalising smell fills the air at Christmas markets and funfairs. The almonds are coated in caramelised sugar, cinnamon and vanilla and lightly roasted to make a crunchy, mouth-watering snack.
 

May 2024