Hi adventurers! Welcome back to another blog for Faraway Fable. I talk about my travels to Germany a lot, but what can I say? I do have a bit of a bias towards it from spending a lot of time there throughout my days as an adventurer, but hands down my favorite part about every trip is the food. So, without further ado, here’s my foodie’s guide to Germany!
The Bavarian Pretzel … Topped with Cheese of course
Let me tell you, I am a pretzel lover through and through. So much so that every day when I was little, I had a phase of getting a pretzel from the bakery for breakfast. Yes, every day. But while the classic Bavarian pretzel is delightful in every way, my go-to is the Bavarian cheese pretzel. Still having the iconic crisp brown crust with a fluffy interior, these pretzels are topped with a blend of cheeses and broiled to create a crispy crust layer on top of the pretzel. One of the things I crave most from my travels, this savory treat is a perfect on-the-go snack that will fill you up for a day of adventures.
Schnitzel
Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard of Schnitzel, but it still has to make it to the list even though it is famously known to be part of German cuisine. Essentially a piece of pork that is flattened, breaded, and lightly fried and often served with cranberry sauce and frites, schnitzel is a dish you simply have to try while you’re in Germany. My personal favorite is the Hawaiian schnitzel, which is pork schnitzel topped with hollandaise sauce and a slice of pineapple. Another of my family’s favorites is more traditional, and is called Jägerschnitzel. Jägerschnitzel is pork schnitzel topped with sliced mushrooms and a dark, savory brown gravy. But even if these two variations aren’t for you, there are many to choose from that suit a wide range of tastes!
Cheese Spaetzle
Spaetzle is one of my favorite go-to German comfort dishes. Spaetzle itself is a type of egg noodle, and can be served a variety of ways. My favorite is cheese spaetzle, which is just as it sounds … spaetzle cooked in a blend of cheese that make up a creamy, savory bite. But it doesn’t stop there. I tend to top my cheese spaetzle with lingonberry sauce, sautéed onions, and green onions.
Pomme Frites with German Mayonnaise and Curry Ketchup
One thing about me, I love German mayonnaise. And you might be thinking, what makes German mayonnaise so special? It’s more like a sauce than what we may think of as a mayonnaise, and is served with fries as a dressing. The fries also have a unique flavor blend, spicy and nutty at the same time, with traditional paprika, salt, and pepper but also nutmeg added to many frite spice blends as well. Now it’s time for the combo. My absolute favorite way to eat frites is with German mayonnaise and curry ketchup, a thinner ketchup that has a warmth to it with the inclusion of curry powder.
Bratwurst
Bratwurst is another one of those dishes that you’ve probably always thought of when you think of German cuisine, but it lives up to the high expectations. There is a red bratwurst, which is more similar to the profile of an American hotdog. But my favorite is the white bratwurst, which is a light pork sausage flavored with lemon and mustard seeds. Traditionally, this bratwurst will be served in a crisp brötchen, which is a bread roll, and topped with horseradish, ground mustard, and crispy onions. It packs a punch, but it’s one of my favorites that I go back to again and again.
Currywurst
A spin on the traditional bratwurst, currywurst is a sliced brat served with a curry sauce or curry ketchup and topped with curry powder. Currywurst is a staple fast-food that brings comfort in Germany, and is often served with a side of frites. If you’re looking to try another variation on the classic brat, currywurst is a dish I would highly recommend.
Dampfnudel
Sweet treat time! Dampfnudel is a steamed dumpling that is topped with a warm vanilla sauce. Simple, but delicious. When people ask me about this dish, I often describe the dumpling itself to be similar to a pretzel in flavor. The bottom of the dumpling has a crispy brown crust that gives a pretzel-like flavor, but the top is pillowy goodness. I always elect for the sweet route with this one, opting for the vanilla sauce on top, but there are some savory options as well. Although not a pairing I see as frequently, dampfnudel is sometimes served with potato soup. Either way, make sure to give this fluffy dumpling a try.
Doner Kebab
Though not a native German dish, doner kabab has become highly popular and is another fast-food favorite that you’ll find in many local villages. My favorite way to get doner kebab is a doner box, with comes with the shaved doner meat, sliced cheese, frites, creamy garlic sauce, and all the veggie fixings. If you’re looking for a hearty meal to fill you up for a long day of adventures, I highly recommend trying this local favorite.
Lebkuchen
Lebkuchen is a traditional German honey-gingerbread cookie that is served around the holidays, and it’s one of my favorite sweet treats to grab in Germany. With a fluffy cookie interior that is slightly crisp on the outside, sometimes glazed or dipped in chocolate, lebkuchen is one of the most traditional treats in Germany.
Reibekuchen
Favorite dish ever! Reibekuchen is a dish I have shared with my family since I was little, and it is essentially a friend potato pancake (just shredded potato fried to a crisp in a pancake-like shape) served with applesauce. It’s super simple, but sometimes that’s all you need. The potato is lightly seasoned, with a crispy outside and fluffy savory interior. But to be honest, the pairing with the applesauce is my favorite part.
Milka Bars … Any Kind. All of Them are Fabulous.
German chocolate had to make it to the list. My personal favorite are Milka bars, specifically the Milka Max strawberry cheesecake bar. Coated with a layer of white chocolate and milk chocolate, this bar is filled with cheesecake filling, a sweet strawberry jam, and graham crackers, a perfect bite of sweet cheesecake coated in creamy chocolate that just melts in your mouth. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors. Strawberry and toffee hazelnut are also other good ones to give a try.
Lemon Fanta
This last one is just a long-standing personal favorite that I struggle to find anywhere else. Lemon Fanta is a legend in my household, and the best place to get it is in Germany. It’s just soda, you might be saying, but it’s so much more. Lemon Fanta has a natural flavor that is akin to fresh squeezed lemonade that is highly carbonated. It’s so refreshing and is a perfect addition to some of the heavier meals on the list.
I could talk forever about German foods that I have loved since I was little, but these are some of my absolute favorites. If you have any questions about any of the dishes mentioned today, let me know in the travel questions form. Have any recommendations on where I should travel to next? Let me know in the recommend an adventure form.
