If you head to Berlin, you may be surprised to find out that the greatest number of restaurants by cuisine type is… Italian. But don’t let that discourage you. You will also find many restaurants that serve the food that has made this country proud, since its creation in 962 AD. Here are five foods that you need to try, during your stay.
Berlin: The Capital City of Europe
Anyone that finds himself in Berlin for the first time will immediately feel at ease. That is because the city is not only the capital of the country, but also of Europe, in many ways. That is where the economic power resides, but it is also a place where European youth meets and builds the world of tomorrow. That naturally helps the food industry as well, as the mix of cultures keeps creating new food. If you want to experience a different life for a while, check out the companies that handle removals to Berlin from the UK (for example here : uk-germany-removals.com) and start packing your things. And when you get there, try these various foods below.
What to know about German Food
No one moves to Germany because they want to lose weight. The food that you will find there is rich and hearty. It is what is called comfort food, mostly. But don’t mistake it for low-quality. Germans enjoy their meals well-prepared and well-served. Food markets can be found all over the many cities of Germany, which shows the importance that they attach to freshness. Of course, beer is closely related to food, in this country. Separating the two would be a crime. If you thought that sauerkraut and sausages were the only things that you would find in restaurants, you are in for a big surprise!
1. Königsberger Klopse
If you are angry against Russia and its president, you don’t have to blame the food as well. If you do, you would miss out on eating one of the best meals available in Germany, which is called Königsberger klopse. Its name comes from the city of Kaliningrad in Russia, which used to be named Königsberger, at the time when the city was the capital of East Prussia. In GDP, they went so far as to rename the meal to kochklopse, so as to not mention the Russian town.
It consists of meatballs that are served inside a creamy white sauce, filled with capers. The ingredients that go into the recipe are: minced veal, onion, eggs, anchovies, pepper and various spices. It can be said that the lemon in the sauce is what provides its elegance and refined taste. Today, it is prepared by grandmothers as well as some of the best chefs in the country.
2. Labskaus
If you eat your food with your eyes first, labskaus might not be the best meal for you. But it would be a mistake to leave it aside for this reason, as the result is something your palate will enjoy, sending it to heaven at first taste. It is the meal that was prepared for the seafarers of the North, as the ingredients were easy to keep on the boats. Although there are fridges now onboard, it is still one of their favourite foods.
The meal is prepared with salted beef, onions, potatoes and pickled beetroot. All of them are mashed up, which ends-up looking like porridge. The plate is served with pickled gherkins and rollmops. It is popular in Northern Germany, and you can find it in most restaurants in towns like Bremen, Kiel and Hamburg.
3. Maultaschen
Dumplings are really popular in Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia. In Poland, it is one of the meals that you have to try at least once, as they fill them with meat or cheese. The version that is the most popular in Germany is called maultaschen. They have been recognised by the European Union as a regional specialty, that is part of the cultural heritage of the Baden-Württemberg state. You still can find them in most parts of Germany, though it will be easier to locate a restaurant that features them, in the southern part.
These enlarged raviolis are the size of the palm of a hand. The dough is filled with different ingredients. Sometimes, the taste will be sweet, while in other cases the meat or vegetables will take over. The main ingredients that can be found in most of them are minced meat, bread crumbs, onions and spinach. The spices are your basic salt and pepper, with an additional touch of parsley. They can either be simmered and served with broth or pan-fried in butter for a heartier taste.
4. Currywurst
I wouldn’t be a very good article if we did not mention currywurst, as one of the foods that you need to try, when you visit Germany. It is the one thing that everyone knows them for since 1945. It is best known as street food, since it started this way, originally. It was brought onto the culinary scene by Herta Heuwer, in Berlin, who had the great idea of mixing ketchup and curry powder that she added to the common German grilled sausages. Today, it is normally served with chips on a bread roll. The perfect food to eat, on a late afternoon, walking around the streets of Berlin, in winter time.
5. Schnitzel
This is another meal that we could not leave out of the list. There is a great debate about the origin of schnitzel. Some say that it comes from Austria while others mention Italy. But Germans see this plate as an original German dish. It consists of a tenderized piece of pork or turkey, that is breaded and then fried. In Austria, they use veal instead. It usually comes with a large variety of sauces that can be placed on top of it, such as bell pepper or a creamy sauce with mushrooms in it.
You also need to try as many beers as you can, when travelling Germany. You will find absolute gems, prepared by small independent breweries.