Bitesize Bremen: Six dishes to try in Bremen

Sitting on the Weser River in Northwest Germany, Bremen is a distinctive destination when it comes to food. Any fans of German classics such as bratwurst, currywurst and sauerkraut will be treated to delicious variations here – and many dishes are almost completely unique to the region. 

There are too many to try on a weekend trip – so here’s our pick of the six best dishes Bremen has to offer.

Kale and Pinkel

Bremen loves kale, and it’s a popular ingredient in a wide range of dishes here. The most common accompaniment to kale is the pinkelwurst, a smoked sausage made with oatmeal. 

You’ll find this combination offered in restaurants throughout the city – with many putting their own unique spin on the dish. 

Such is the love of kale here, there are even annual kale tours – Kohlfahrten. These are energetic hikes – usually taken as a group – ending in a hearty local dinner, consisting of kale, pinkel and schnaps.

Labkaus

Bremen also loves its meat – and labkaus is a popular dish for avid meat-eaters. Containing salted-pork and vegetables, variations can also feature pickled-herring or fried eggs. It’s a sturdy meal that is thought to have originated from the preferences of local sailors and is now dished up in many traditional cafés.

Aalsuppe

Aalsuppe translates as eel-soup and was a widely-eaten dish in the past. Eels used to be common in the Weser River, and they wriggled their way into many-a-local dish. You can still find eel soup, but it is now served more as curiosity in traditional restaurants rather than as an everyday dish. Its sheer uniqueness to Bremen makes it a great dish to try for the adventurous.

Knipp

Knipp is another sausage made from fried, minced meat – typically liver, beef or pork – or a mixture of all three. It contains a unique blend of traditional German spices, allspice and pepper, and is often served with apple mousse.

Chicken ragout

Chicken ragout is a stew and is particularly popular in the winter months. German ragout can be made with any type of meat – with pork and beef also popular – but chicken is undoubtedly the most common in Bremen. 

This frothy dish will warm you up on a cold day and, served alongside a strong mulled wine, it is the perfect reward after a frosty walk around the city.

Blechkuchen

Finally, try Bremen’s most popular dessert – blechkuchen. It’s a cake made of yeasty dough layers, and it’s very versatile. One of the most popular varieties is the butterkuchen – the most basic version – baked with a topping of butter and sugar. It’s often served at weddings, but can also be found alongside a nice cup of tea at many local cafés. More elegant varieties are brought to life by other ingredients, generously layered in-between. You’ll find fruits, nuts, creams, pastes and sugar in there – in many different combinations.

Now that you know what to eat, make sure you check out Bremen’s best attractions