Top 10 Flavoursome German Traditional Food Worth Your Time
Ever wondered how German food is more than just sausages, sauerkraut and a nice beer to sip. The rich and diverse cuisine reflects the cultural variations throughout regions and their history. But when it comes to food, Germans tend to focus highly on pork, meat, and bread. However, commonly, Germans tend to have beer and cakes more than one can imagine. a chocolate cake with cherries and whipped cream, and Stollen, a fruit bread with nuts and spices. From Doner Kebab in Berlin to Pretzel, your bucket list should start with dry, crusty rolls that Germans are really fond of. Any clue what they could be? This leads us here, where we at Amber will convey the top 20 flavoursome German traditional dishes that are worth your time to taste.
Top 10 Traditional German Meals & Their Customs
A country with a rich and diverse food culture reflects the hearty, meaty dishes of the north to the delicate pastries of the south; German cuisine has traditions and customs that should be known, from the hearty sausages and schnitzels to the delicate pastries and cakes. The ingredients, its preparation, and the occasions for eating these delicious dishes. Beer is not only a popular drink but also an essential ingredient in many dishes, such as sauerbraten, a marinated beef roast, or biersuppe, a sweet beer soup.
Cakes, on the other hand, are not just desserts but also a part of the afternoon tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen, or coffee and cake, where people enjoy a slice of cake with a cup of coffee around 4 pm. Some of the most famous German cakes include Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Whether you are planning to visit Germany or just want to try some authentic German food at home, this guide will help you discover the flavours and stories of German cuisine.
1. Käsespätzle
Type: Homemade Pasta
Popular Region: Schwaben region
Price: € 11
Taste: Creamy Sour
Made of: Pasta, shredded cheese & caramelised onions
Named after a German dialect, ‘Spatzle’ means dumpling, which is a traditional dish of the German regions that covers Swabia, Baden and Allgau. Each region has its own assorted delights of Kasenpatzle, such as the people in Tyrol preparing Kasespatzle with granular cheese until it's melted over the fried onions. While in Montafon cooks use a local hard cheese like Bergkase. This adds to the excitement for a food lover like you in case you are planning to move to Germany.
2. Kartoffelpuffer
Type: Fritter, Street Food
Popular Region: Rheinland, Germany
Price: € 4.2 to € 25
Taste: Sweet and Savory
Made From: Fried Grated Raw Potatoes with Egg
If you are scouring for crisp yet full-off toppings unlike any other potato pancakes you have yet come across. Across every region, the Kartoffelpuffer are traditionally served at home and is majorly found in holiday carnivals like Fasching, Karneval and Christmas markets. Families gather around to hear the crackling sounds and aroma of a fried Kartoffel puffer. Similar to Swiss Rosti, differences lie in the size of the sliced potatoes, bacon and cheese or grated onions, depending on the region selection.
3. Schnitzel
Type: Breaded veal cutlets
Popular Region: Germany
Price: € 22
Taste: Relatively Bland without sauces
Made From: Pork, Flour & Beaten Eggs, Bread Crumbs
A popular and iconic dish that reflects the country’s love for bread and meat, it consists of a slice of meat coated and covered with breadcrumbs and a fried cutlet. It has many regional variations, such as Wienerschnitzel. As a German staple, it has been influenced by the neighbouring countries like Austria, Italy and Poland.
4. Brezel
Type: Knot-shaped Bread
Popular Region: Franconia
Price: € 16
Taste: Sweet/Savory
Made From: Flour and Yeast
Commonly known as ‘Pretzel, ’ its German term Brezel is a long strip that curves around into a knot and is served with mustard sauce. The brown-coloured crust, with fluffy inside, reminds us of Croissant. Its knot shape serves as the symbol of the holy trinity. Serves well if flavoured with salt, seeds or cheese.
5. Kirschtorte
Type: Swiss Fondue
Popular Region: Suburb of Bonn
Price: € 26.90
Taste: Unique and Indulgent Flavour
Made From: Whipped Cream and Cherries
Kirschtorte, also known as Black Forest cake, was first written down in 1934, is a traditional German dish that originated in the Black Forest region of Germany. It is a chocolate and cream cake with layers of cherries soaked in kirsch, a cherry brandy. It is one of the most famous and popular desserts in Germany and around the world. The cake is decorated with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and more cherries.
6. Rouladen
Type: Beef Round Roast
Popular Region: Rhine (Western Germany)
Price: € 5.45
Taste: sweet tint of meat with gravy
Made From: Beef steak, mustard, bacon and onion
Rouladen is German rolled beef stuffed with onions, pickles, bacon, and mustard. They are seared, then roasted and served with the beef gravy produced in the dish. Rouladen is a traditional German dish that originated in the western regions of Germany, especially in the Rhineland. They are often enjoyed on Sundays or special occasions, such as Christmas or Easter. They are usually served with mashed potatoes, spaetzle and green beans.
7. Eintopf
Type: One-Pot Stew
Popular Region: Kassel
Price: € 23.2
Taste: Sweet and Sour (with healthy vegetables)
Made From: sauerkraut with meat in one pot
Originating from the western regions, like Rhineland, Eintopf is a traditional German dish that means “one pot” in English. It is a stew that usually contains meat, such as sausage or beef, and various vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and onions. Eintopf is popular in Germany, especially in the winter months, as it is a filling, warming, economical meal. This is a healthy one pot meal for students.
8. Sauerbraten
Type: Pot Roast
Popular Region: Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia
Price: € 34
Taste: Tangy Flavor
Made From: Beef marinated in wine and vegetables
Originated as a national dish of Germany, it is served in German style by most restaurants, where they usually make gravy with gingersnaps and potato dumplings or spaetzle. Sauerbraten is a traditional German dish that consists of a beef roast that is marinated in vinegar, wine, and spices for several days before cooking. The marinade makes the meat tender and gives it a tangy flavour.
9. Currywurst
Type: Sausage
Popular Region: Ruhr Bratwurst reigns
Price: € 6 - € 12
Taste: slightly sweet but bland
Made From: Fried or steamed pork sausage with fries
In Berlin in 1949, Currywurst was cooked by Herta Heuwar, making it the most popular traditional street food in Germany, with 800 mullion servings sold every year. Often served with french fries and bread rolls while enjoying it with beer is what Germans traditionally follow. Currywurst is a traditional German dish that consists of a steamed, fried sausage, usually pork, that is cut into bite-sized pieces and seasoned with curry ketchup, a sauce based on spiced ketchup or tomato paste topped with curry powder.
10. Brot & Brotchen
Type: Loaf of Bread
Popular Region: Central Germany
Price: € 12
Taste: Slightly sweet
Made From: grain, pumpernickel and rye
The German words for bread and bread rolls, i.e. Brot and Brotchen, stand strong as the staple foods in Germany to be eaten for breakfast. Comes in a variety of types: white whole wheat, rye, spelt, oats, and mixed grains. They also have different shapes, sizes, and toppings, such as seeds, nuts, or cheese. Brot and Brötchen are usually baked in a wood-fired oven, giving them a crispy crust and a soft crumb. The best way to enjoy is freshly baked bread from the bakery served with butter, jam, cheese and ham.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients and spices used in German cooking?
German cooking relies heavily on meat, especially pork, as well as potatoes, cabbage, and bread. Some of the common spices and herbs used are caraway, mustard, juniper, dill, parsley, and bay leaves.
What are some typical German beverages?
Besides beet being the national drink of Germany, some other popular beverages are wine, schnapps, apple cider, coffee, and mineral water. Germany also produces some non-alcoholic drinks, such as spezi, a mix of cola and orange soda, and apfelschorle, a mix of apple juice and sparkling water.
What are some etiquette rules for dining in Germany?
Some of the basic etiquette rules for dining in Germany are: arrive on time, use the correct cutlery, keep your elbows off the table, don’t talk with your mouth full, and always say “Guten Apettit”.
What are some examples of German traditional food?
Some of the most popular and iconic dishes in German cuisine are sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels, schnitzel, spätzle, potato salad, and black forest cake.
What are some regional variations of German food?
Germany has 16 federal states, each with its own culinary traditions and specialities. For example, Bavaria is known for its beer, cheese, and dumplings, while Hamburg is famous for its fish dishes and pastries.