Currywurst

About Currywurst

Currywurst is an iconic German street food that perfectly represents the post-war culinary innovation of the country. Created in 1949 by Herta Heuwer in Berlin, this dish was born out of scarcity and creativity during the difficult reconstruction period. The story goes that Heuwer obtained ketchup and curry powder from British soldiers, combined them to create a sauce, and served it over sliced boiled and fried pork sausage. The genius of currywurst lies in its simplicity: a steamed and then fried pork sausage (often without casing) is sliced and topped with a sauce made from tomato paste or ketchup seasoned with curry powder and other spices. It's typically served with a bread roll or french fries. Regional variations exist across Germany, with some areas preferring the sausage with casing intact, while in Berlin it's traditionally served without the casing. Currywurst has transcended its humble origins to become a true cultural phenomenon in Germany. Berlin alone consumes millions of currywurst portions annually, and the dish has inspired everything from museums (the now-closed Deutsches Currywurst Museum) to songs. It represents the democratic nature of German street food, enjoyed by people from all walks of life, from construction workers on lunch breaks to businesspeople and tourists seeking an authentic German culinary experience.