BERLIN BITES: CURRYWURST + SPEZI

When we landed the first stop for lunch was at our friend’s Tess & Alex favorite imbiss (fastfood/snack stand) called Imbiss Zum Würfel II. The best way to welcome us to Berlin as we were ravenous!

Check out the quick reel I did below, but more details on why this food is iconic in Berlin below!

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If ever there was a snack that is very Berliner, it’s CURRYWURST! They say that in 1949 Herta Heuwer got ketchup & curry powder from British soldiers in Germany, mixed the ingredients & poured it over grilled pork sausages (wurst in German). She then started selling it in Charlottenburg, where this filling snack became popular with the construction workers that were rebuilding the war devastated city.

Now this popular street food is sold cheaply at take-away food in imbiss (snack stands), diners and on kids’ menus. I have to warn first timers that this can be an acquired taste & is not something very gourmand. It is simply street food Berliner style.

WHAT IS CURRYWURST?

steamed/fried sausage, usually pork but sometimes beef like in front of KaDeWe, cut into bite-sizes
generously topped with curry ketchup or spiced ketchup
Seasoned with curry powder on top
Served with alone, or with a side of bread or fries
Usually served on a paper plate with small wooden/plastic forks

DID YOU KNOW? The Deutsches Currywurst Museum – yes they have a museum dedicated only to CURRY WURST! – estimates that 800 million currywursts are eaten every year in Germany, with 70 million in Berlin alone. The Volkswagen plant at Wolfsburg runs its own butchery producing about 7 million Volkswagen currywursts per year, serving many directly to Volkswagen employees

SPEZI OR COLA MIX OR MEZZO MIX

Another discovery when we were living in Berlin from 2013 to 2016 was the combination of cola & orange soda. I honestly would not have thought to mix it, but the drink is surprisingly delicious. This drink generically known as SPEZI or COLA MIX is very popular in German-speaking countries.

Now most of you guys who know me really well, know that I avoid drinking soda, except for some special occasions like when we are eating Chinese food or that moment we arrive in Berlin eating CURRYWURST. So of course we have to have SPEZI or COLA MIX! We ordered Mezzo Mix (a Coca-Cola brand) & they gave us the brand that they carried which is Schwip Schwap.

There are many COLA MIX brands, Some people even just DIY by combining Coca Cola & Fanta in a glass!

So if you find yourself in Berlin these are some of the things you can try! You might be surprised by your reactions.

There are a lot of currywurst stands or imbiss, but if you are in the area, you can try Imbiss Zum Würfel II below. I placed the link below to their Google Maps location so you can check!