STREET FOOD REVIEW | German

Food carts (called an Imbiss or Schnellimbiss) abound in Germany and are great places to pick up a tasty lunch or snack. While technically not street food per se, bakeries are another good place to look, especially if you also want a sweet treat, sandwich or a cup of coffee or tea. Festivals, Christmas markets, and weekly farmer’s markets are also great places to look. They’re also perfect for finding traditional German food.
1. Bratkartoffeln (Fried Potatoes)
Most German festivals and markets will have at least one stand featuring a giant cast iron skillet full of Bratkartoffeln – fried potatoes. They are SO good! Typically fried with onions and sometimes Spek (a type of bacon), Bratkartofflen make a delicious and filling meal.

My favorite is when the potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. You can usually add ketchup or order them with a side of garlic sauce or quark (yum). Some stands also offer fried whole mushrooms, which are also delicious. I’m definitely eating both when I go to Germany this summer!
2. Currywurst
Currywurst is no doubt a quintessential street food in Germany, where its origins in Berlin started at a humble Schnellimbiss (snack stand), where a lady named Herta Heuwer created the recipe from ketchup and curry powder she had sourced from British soldiers in Germany at the time. And now, 70 plus years later, many consider it to be one of the country’s national dishes.
3. Bratwurst with Sauerkraut, Mustard and Curry Sauce
A Bratwurst is made out of beef, veal or more commonly pork. The origin of the Bratwurst is debated between the people of Thüringen and those of Franconia, 2 different regions in Germany. Both claim to have invented the bratwurst.
4. Glühwein
The name Glühwein – literally translating as glow wine – comes from the old tradition of heading the wine with red hot irons that needed to glow in order to create the delicious, warming drink in years gone by.
5. Spätzle
The history of Spätzle is a fascinating one, as it is a deep-rooted part of Swabian culture. A brief glimpse into its historical context shows the popularity of Spätzle in Germany as knights and Swabians referenced it in a number of poems and songs.
6. Döner Kebab
Döner Kebab, although originated from Turkey, has made its way across the Eurasia continent to Germany in the mid-1900s. Unlike the kebabs I’ve had in Turkey, the Döner in Germany are a heavenly hybrid of East and West. In addition to the savory meats and salads that’s added to the pita bread, the German twist includes a number of sauces that amplifies the flavor of this delicious treat.