Berlin Street Food Show Down – Currywurst vs. Döner Kebab
German food is one of my favorite ethnic cuisines…schnitzel, sauerbraten, bratwurst – I could go on and on. They’re all staples for me and I love finding a good German restaurant in the US.
But despite being the thriving capital city of Germany, eating out in Berlin typically doesn’t involve dining on the traditional German staples. You’re far more likely to encounter trendy Thai restaurants or sushi dives. Berlin is a city full of immigrants, and it is this international flair that has contributed most to the food scene in the last several years.
Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in Berlin’s street food where two internationally inspired dishes are duking it out for the claim to fame as Berlin’s favorite quick meal on the go. During my time in Berlin, I decided to give each a try to determine which of the dishes I liked best. Inspired by my Kansas City Barbecue Showdown, I put these two epic contenders to the official Travel Rinse Repeat tastebud test.
So what are the two ethnic foods that have surpassed the popularity of any traditional German food on the streets of Berlin?
The Foods
Currywurst – A sliced bratwurst served with a drizzling of curry ketchup, currywurst is the ultimate in street food fusion. The ultra traditional German sausage has been given a new twist with a southeastern flair. The dish is typically served with a side of fries and a tiny wooden or plastic fork to eat it with.
Döner Kebab – Turkish residents make up the largest ethnic minority in Berlin, and their culture and way of life has had a major impact on the city today. Though the Döner Kebab was developed in Turkey, it has been modified to suit German tastes. The original version is traditionally served with lamb, but the German version is more commonly served as veal and/or chicken.
The Contenders
The issue of where to get a döner kebab or currywurst is almost as contentious as the debate between the snacks themselves. So in order to find the best, most representative purveyors of these dishes, I asked a Berlin native/good friend of mine for her opinion on restaurants. Born in the East, Laura is a lifelong Berliner who has sampled many of the cities offerings when it comes to both currywurst and döner kebabs. Her recommendations? Konnopke’s Imbiss for currywurst and Max & Moritz for my döner kebab.
Both restaurants are in quieter, residential Berlin neighborhoods – off the well worn tourist paths, but both are easily accessible via Berlin’s extensive U-Bahn and S-Bahn public transportation networks. And both focus on their respective dishes, expertly preparing them for the hungry visitors.
The Taste Tests
First up was the currywurst at Konnopke’s Imbiss. Thankfully, the rain had let up long enough for us to sit outside at the small roadside stand. After a short wait in line and a few quick exchanges in German, Laura came back with currywurst in hand.
This wasn’t my first go-round with the curried-sausage, but it had been some time since I last tasted it. Everything about the flavors of currywurst are familiar, but in a wonderful new combination. Bratwurst, ketchup, and curry are no strangers to my tongue, but paired together they are truly greater than the sum of their parts. I’m normally not a huge fan of ketchup, but something about the curry powder makes it that much better. Why can’t all ketchup be curried?
The sausage was high quality, but nothing necessarily better than other wurst stands. What really made this dish standout was the curry ketchup and curry powder. It had a bit of spice to it which certainly kicked the flavor up a notch. The fries were fresh, hot, and crispy and served as the perfect sauce-mopping device once I’d polished off the wurst.
For me, the döner was a much more familiar meal. Kebabs were a staple meal of mine when I traveled around Germany four years ago. At around 2 or 3 euros, it made for an incredibly delicious, filling, and most importantly, cheap meal for an unemployed recent college graduate. Occasionally, I’ll still pick up American versions of this dish in big cities around the US.
The shaved kebab came out fast on a sesame seed covered bread pocket. Döner meat is similar to gyros meat – something I had become familiar with in Greece. The döner was topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, and cucumber and finished off with a garlic herb sauce, giving it a distinctly different flavor from its Greek cousin. The meat was fresher and juicier than many of the American versions I’ve found, and the crunchy sesame covered bread added a unique twist.
The Final Verdict
Though the döner kebab was my go-to meal four years ago, times change and tastes change. In 2012, the currywurst is the hands-down winner for me. Why? Perhaps I’m more grown up now, eschewing the late-night (read: drinking) food that kebabs represent or perhaps it’s my budding preference for South Asian spices, but when ketchup, curry powder, and bratwurst come together, magic happens.
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23 Responses to Berlin Street Food Show Down – Currywurst vs. Döner Kebab
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It must have been really rough making a decision between the two
If it was strictly by the photos, I would have chosen the Doner. Only because of that little drip of garlic herb sauce falling off the bread. But, I think I will need to do my own taste test to make an official decision.
the döner was still delicious, but I’ll take the curry ketchup any day over the garlic herb sauce
Awesome post! Me too I definitely prefer currywurst (mit pommes of course) rather than doner kebab. I just purchased the curry ketchup just because of its amazingness.
icoSnap recently posted..Window displays at Brugges Markt
I wish I could find curry ketchup here!
Yeah I’d have a hard time avoiding the Doner as well… Awesome…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The B Ocean Resort – Check-In Florida
It’s good stuff, isn’t it?
I just had curried sausage on my Lufthansa flight on Sunday. I thought it strange, but apparently it’s not. I’ll reserve judgment on it since it was airline food, but I wasn’t a huge fan. I love this post concept though.
Leah Travels recently posted..My Biggest Travel Mistake: Stupidity Runs Amok
You brought back great memories of a trip to Berlin about 4 years ago. Had the best pommes frites with paprika and coca-cola from a little kiosk – the woman sliced and fried the potatoes right in front of us. Mmm – lecker!
Fiona recently posted..The Video Edit: Couch Surfing Irish Style
I love how freshly prepared the snack food is there. Wish we had more of that here in the states.
Ha ha, the last line is the best! I had döner kebab while in Istanbul. It was cheap and good, but I’m very much intrigued by the currywurst. Think I could find some in Chicago?
Francesca recently posted..Getting cultured in Kenosha
I think you could definitely find some in Chicago! If not, I believe Wisconsin is a state with a lot of German heritage so I’m sure there are some shops just across the border.
That kebab looks amazing. I need to seek out some German food… I haven’t spent much time with that cuisine.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Quirky Attraction: ‘One Mile Above Sea Level’ Sign at the Colorado State Capitol
It’s one of my favorites…I imagine there are probably some pretty good German restaurants in Chicago.
Give me all of it! Oh my, I need to get my hands on both of those stat. You’re lucky I just ate or else I’d be extremely hungry. Thanks for a wee walk down culinary lane.
Tawny- Captain and Clark recently posted..Getting dominated by the Grand Canyon [Video]
Get yourself to Berlin! But you should be able to find both of these in the US if you know where to look…
I am surprised at the outcome here… Not sure I’d like the ketchup… but I am sure to try it when I get to Berlin. and a doner kebab…I am such a fan. Love.
also, this is a great concept / series… I look forward to seeing a few more of these “show-downs” from your future adventures.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – A Tour Bus Stop in Santiago Tuxtla, Veracruz
I love German food. My best memories are when in my prior job, I was sent to work with our Frankfurt office. They took great care of me to make sure I tried all sorts of German foods. And then I explored on my own. I had no idea German food was something other than wursts and sauerkraut. Phenomenal stuff. In the contest above, I’d go for the wurst any day (though I didn’t taste them). And now I am curious about curried ketchup!!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..Photo of the Week – Harbor in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Döner is really one of my favourite food, and I think I will never get tired of it. Still haven’t tried the Currywurst though, but guess it is a must now since I moved to Berlin. Really nice blog I must say!
Swedish in Berlin recently posted..Typical German Food?
You must try it! It’s so delicious!
When you go for Döner, ask for Scharf (spicy) sauce instead. then you have a winner (I’m Mexican btw)
Thanks for the tip, that sounds delicious
Definitely go for kebab on the sesame seed covered bread pocket. The crisp wins out over a regular pita.
Cheers,
Michael
Michael @ Changes In Longitude recently posted..We avoid getting eaten by a lion in Namibia
It certainly made for a unique taste!