As an expat living in Germany since 2014, I have come to realize there are so many delicious German dishes, but also some German foods you might not like (or is it just me?). In this listicle, I share 10 German dishes I can’t seem to embrace, from the infamous Mettbrötchen to the polarizing Glühwein.
German Foods You Might Not Like
- 1. Mettbrötchen – Raw Minced Meat on Bread
- 2. Glühwein – German Mulled Wine
- 3. Lack of Classic North American Style Pancakes
- 4. Rothenburg’s Dry and Dense “Snowballs”
- 5. Spaghetti Ice Cream Dessert
- 6. Currywurst – Berlin’s Favorite Sausage Dish
- 7. Herring Salad
- 8. Marzipan Overload
- 9. Liqueur-Filled Cakes and Candies
- 10. Sandwiches for Breakfast
1. Mettbrötchen – Raw Minced Meat on Bread 🍖
One dish that I can’t bring myself to try is Mettbrötchen. This raw minced meat on a piece of bread smells unpleasant and unappealing. Even if I ate meat, I still wouldn’t eat it.
The thought of putting raw minced meat in my mouth is a major turn-off. As someone who doesn’t eat much meat, I find the idea of trying Mettbrötchen just not appealing. I prefer to stick to my chicken-based diet.
When friends visit from Canada, I enjoy making them try Mettbrötchen for the entertainment value. It’s amusing to watch their reactions, even if I have no intention of trying it myself.
I’m curious to know if any of you have tried Mettbrötchen and actually love it. Let me know your thoughts on this divisive German dish!
2. Glühwein – German Mulled Wine 🍷
Another polarizing item on my list of German food you might not like (even though it isn’t a food) is Glühwein, also known as German Mulled Wine. This traditional Christmas drink has failed to win me over, despite it being arguably the most popular drink at the Christmas Markets.
When I first tried Glühwein, I found it to be underwhelming. It wasn’t terrible, but it also didn’t impress me. I experimented with both red and white Glühwein, but neither fully won me over.
Over time, my dislike for Glühwein has only grown. Now, when the Christmas season arrives, I opt for alternative cocktails and other wines instead of indulging in mulled wine. It’s just not my thing.
3. Lack of Classic North American Style Pancakes 🥞
As an expat living in Germany, I’ve been on a mission to find classic North American-style pancakes, but to no avail. The sweet, fluffy pancakes I grew up with are hard to come by in Germany, and I’ve searched high and low for a taste of home.
In Germany, savory pancakes are more popular than their sweet counterparts. Even the sweet pancakes here are often not sweet enough for my taste. I miss the classic American breakfast joint experience with deliciously sweet pancakes, maple syrup, eggs, and bacon.
As someone with a huge sweet tooth, I’ve struggled to find classic North American-style pancakes in Germany. If anyone knows of any American-style breakfast joints in Düsseldorf or beyond, I’d love to hear about them!
4. Rothenburg’s Dry and Dense “Snowballs” 🍨
One time, while visiting Rothenburg ob Der Tauber, I encountered a local delicacy known as “snowballs.” These are essentially shortbread or cookie batter cut into strips and formed into a ball, then covered in various toppings like powdered sugar, Nutella, or caramel sauce.
5. Spaghetti Ice Cream Dessert 🍨
The spaghetti ice cream dessert is a unique German creation that mimics the appearance of a bowl of spaghetti. However, the “spaghetti” is actually vanilla ice cream pressed through a spaghetti press, topped with strawberry sauce, and shaved white chocolate. While some may find it intriguing, the combination of vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce doesn’t appeal to my taste buds. The visual resemblance to spaghetti also makes it unappetizing to me.
6. Currywurst – Berlin’s Favorite Sausage Dish
Berlin’s favorite currywurst is a famous German sausage dish I’ve tried in a vegetarian version. However, it’s not the sausage that I dislike, but the curry ketchup on top. I find that the ketchup in Germany differs from what I’m used to in Canada, as it’s either too sweet or has a curry flavor. The taste just doesn’t appeal to me, and I’ve yet to develop a liking for it.
7. Herring Salad 🧅
The thought of herring salad is just not my thing. The combination of creamy mayo, raw onion, and slimy herring fish is unappealing to me. I find the taste and texture to be unpleasant, and it’s something I simply can’t bring myself to enjoy.
8. Marzipan Overload 🎂
Marzipan is a common ingredient in German desserts, and it’s used year-round. During Christmas, the use of marzipan is taken to the next level with an abundance of marzipan-filled treats. While in Canada, marzipan is mainly used as a cake topping, here in Germany, it’s a central ingredient in many desserts, and the abundance of marzipan during the holiday season is super overwhelming for me.
9. Liqueur-Filled Cakes and Candies 🍬
When I lived in Freiburg, liqueur-filled candies and cakes were incredibly popular, but I never grew to like them. The potent liqueur flavor tends to overpower the entire cake, making it less enjoyable for me. While there are many delicious cakes in Germany, those filled with liqueur just don’t make the cut for me. If there’s nothing else sugary in the fridge, I might consider eating one, but it’s definitely not my first choice.
10. Sandwiches for Breakfast 🥪
As a Canadian, I’m not accustomed to having sandwiches for breakfast. While I enjoy sandwiches for lunch, they’re not my go-to morning meal. In Canada, a typical breakfast consists of scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, and home fries – all rich and oily foods that are perfect for a hearty weekend breakfast. However, I do love a good breakfast spread!
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