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A quick guide to German food for expats
Germany is known for some of the most amazing traditional food around the world. It is also a country that is full of rich culinary traditions which many have found their way to the rest of the world. What many don’t know is that German cuisine is so much more than just sausage or meat. Depending on where you are in Germany you will find a big variety of traditional comfort food. The area around Hamburg is known for fresh fish dishes whereas in the South they are best known for all types of delicious foods made from pork. As there are too many good foods in Germany we have really struggled to whittle it down to just five, but we stand by our choices.
Schnitzel
You can find these everywhere in Germany from classy restaurants to street food vendors. Schnitzel is essentially meat flattened and then covered with flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs which is then fried in oil or a lot of butter until it turns a golden crisp on the outside. It is typically veal, however it can be made with any meat and there are also different ways on how to prepare it from chicken breast to blocks of cheese.
Spätzle
For a country that is big on their meat, one of the most famous German dishes is Spätzle; which is completely vegetarian. Spätzle is a type of pasta, but the dough only consists of eggs, flour, salt and a hint of fizzy water, which makes the dough light and fluffy. Spätzle, is traditionally served as a side dish to meaty dishes like Schnitzel, however it can also be served as a main dish. The most popular way of preparing Spätzle is to top with a huge amount of Emmentaler cheese, as cheese instantly makes every dish better.
Bratwurst
No matter what part of Germany you move to or visit, you will encounter Bratwurst, a sausage typically made from beef, pork or even veal. The earliest documented evidence of Bratwurst which today has an estimated 40 regional varieties, dates right back to the 14thCentury in Nuremberg. It is generally grilled and is often served as a snack with a Brötchen, which is a bread roll. The most famous Bratwurst is for sure the short and thin ones, which come from Nuremberg, and these are even better when complemented with ketchup or mustard, depending on your preferences.
Stollen
For those who have a sweet tooth then traditional Stollen might be exactly what you are looking for. It is generally eaten around Christmas time, and is a bread made with dried or candied fruit, marzipan, nuts like almonds, and spices like cinnamon and cardamom. It is usually topped with powdered sugar too. The most famous Stollen originates in the city of Dresden, where the annual Stollenfest is held. This festival takes place on the second Saturday in December; and the city’s Stollen measures 3 to 4 tons!
Kartoffelpuffer
While many people around the world will associate dishes such as Bretzel with Germany and Oktoberfest, one of the more common dishes is Kartoffelpuffer, also known as Reibekuchen. Potatoes are one of the most common ingredients found in German food and dishes, so Reibekuchen is definitely a dish that you should try. Reibekuchen/kartoffelpuffer are shallow pan-fried pancakes made from grated or ground potatoes and mixed with flour, onion, eggs and seasoning, and most commonly served with an apple puree.
Want to learn more about Germany? Visit our moving to Germany destination guide page.
FAQs
What are the most popular German foods?
- Bratwurst. Bratwurst is a type of German sausage made from pork, beef, or veal. ...
- Döner Kebab. ...
- Döner Kebab. ...
- Sauerbraten. ...
- Pretzels. ...
- Sauerkraut. ...
- Wiener Schnitzel. ...
- Rouladen.
Sausages, salads, and soups were just three of the important foodways which made German Americans different. What Germans drank also made them different. In the early settlement period, before the Civil War, coffee was not yet widely drunk by Anglo-Americans, and cultured Germans missed it.
What food does Germany import the most? ›
| Germany Imports By Category | Value | Year |
|---|
| Meat and edible meat offal | $8.37B | 2023 |
| Oil seed, oleagic fruits, grain, seed, fruits | $8.19B | 2023 |
| Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations and products | $7.19B | 2023 |
| Vegetable, fruit, nut food preparations | $6.93B | 2023 |
93 more rowsIn 2022, the sector generated a turnover of roughly US$239 billion, accounting for 5.8% of the German GDP. The largest subsectors by value were meat (22%), dairy (17%), bakery (9%), confectionary (8%) and pet food (7%).
What is Germany's national food? ›
Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.
What is a German comfort food? ›
Rouladen. This iconic German food consists of thin slices of beef rolled around a filling of mustard, onions, pickles, and bacon. Slowly braised until tender, it's a classic example of German comfort food.
What do Germans eat for breakfast? ›
Culture: Traditional German breakfast foods
Slices of cold meat or slicing sausage (Aufschnitt, Wurst), ham (Schinken) and cheese (Käse) are also very common breakfast foods, as well as hard-boiled eggs (gekochte Eier) and Marmelade, which is not just marmalade (Orangenmarmelade) but any kind of jam.
What is the most popular meat in Germany? ›
In Germany, the most consumed meat is pork. Germans are known for their love of pork, and it is a staple in many traditional dishes. Some popular examples of pork dishes in Germany include schnitzel, which is a breaded and fried pork cutlet, and bratwurst, a type of sausage made from pork, veal, or beef.
What are Germany's top 5 imports? ›
Imports The top imports of Germany are Petroleum Gas ($98B), Cars ($67.7B), Motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701 to 8705) ($41.7B), Crude Petroleum ($39.5B), and Vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures ($36B), importing mostly from China ($152B), Netherlands ($131B), Poland ($93.1B), Belgium ($91.9B), and ...
What is the most common fruit in Germany? ›
In Germany no other fruit is consumed as much as the apple. Four out of five Germans (79%) regularly eat apples. Followed closely by bananas (78%) and strawberries (77%). And most Germans (74%) believe that apples aren't just tasty but also healthy.
Grain is grown on about one third of Germany's agricultural land. Wheat is by far the leading crop, followed by barley and rye.
Where do Germans get their food? ›
80 percent of food imports come from the EU
In 2020, Germany reportedly imported about 353 different food products from 175 countries, spending 95 billion USD on imports, averaging 91 billion USD over 2011 and 2020 annually.
What is the number one export in Germany? ›
Vehicles - Germany is well-known for its extraordinary automobiles, making cars and automobile components one of its pinnacle exports. The HS code for vehicles is 8703. Being the main export in Germany, the whole export cost of Vehicles and car components in 2023 accounted for $293.55 billion.
What is the best product in Germany? ›
Here's a list of top 10 things to consider buying in Germany:
- 1.Haribo Gummies: ...
- 2.German Pottery: ...
- 3.Beer and Glassware: ...
- 4.Cuckoo Clocks: ...
- 5.Leather Goods: ...
- 6.Watches: ...
- 7.Chocolate and Confectionery: ...
- 8.Porcelain and Ceramics:
Breakfast is one the most important meal in German households. Start off with a warm beverage such as coffee, tea or hot cocoa. Next follow slices of fresh, crusty or toasted bread (Brot) or bread rolls (Brötchen) with various spreads and toppings.
What is a food trend in Germany? ›
Plant-Based and Special Diet Trends in Germany
As many as one in three consumers of plant-based meat, cheese, and milk drinks are increasing their consumption of these foods, while more than one in four are upping their consumption of plant-based yogurt.
