Berlin Classics: Currywurst and Boulette

Currywurst and Boulette: Authentic Icons

As a typical Berlin day approaches noon, visitors may notice street-side counters and tables fill up with moustached men in bomber jackets, construction workers in hefty boots, or businesswomen with briefcases resting at their feet. Most will have a plastic fork in hand whilst leaning on the elbow of their other arm, with their lunch in front of them. Their dish of choice? Typically, a piping hot portion of currywurst or boulette.
Currywurst, along with the succulent local favourite, boulette, is a bona fide culinary icon which continues to satisfy Berlin's hungry masses. Throughout its diverse collection of districts, from shabby-chic Wedding to sleek Potsdamer Platz, vibrant Kreuzberg to refined Prenzlauer Berg, eating currywurst is a daily ritual for multitudes of Berliners.
For visitors to town, the city's countless currywurst and boulette vendors, including bars, kiosks and restaurants, mean that it is possible to do as the locals do, and enjoy a tasty pitstop whilst watching the world go by.

Currywurst and Boulette: A Brief History

As the story goes, currywurst was conceived in Berlin in the bleak years following the end of World War II. Possibly because ordinary ketchup became much harder to obtain after the war, or simply as an experiment, kiosk vendor Herta Heuwer apparently began serving pork sausages with a sauce made from tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and curry powder, which she had obtained from British military forces stationed in Germany. This filling, intriguing snack quickly caught on among locals, particularly construction workers, and its popularity spread across the city and eventually all of Germany. To this day, it remains one of the most popular fast food dishes and is often called a national icon.
For much longer than their affection for currywurst however, Berliners have been savouring boulette. Although related to similar minced meat delicacies found across northern Europe, Berlin's boulette has a distinctive, delicate taste, likely due to the higher amount of pork or veal used, rather than beef.
In many ways, today's boulette reflects Berlin's unique multicultural history and identity, adapting over time along with the city's famously dynamic character. Its name (buletten or frikadellen in German), is borrowed from French, which speaks of the centuries-old history and influence of Francophones in the German capital. Even the way boulette is eaten reveals a lot - traditionally eaten by itself or with mustard and a simple bread roll, boulette are now often available with trimmings similar those that come with doner kebabs. They are also sometimes served as a delicious variation of the American hamburger.

Where to Eat Currywurst and Boulette

But now, importantly, where to eat these Berlin culinary staples?
Well, everywhere. But if you have the time and would like to ensure you get to taste the real thing, then head to Konnopke's Imbiss in Prenzlauer Berg, which has been serving up classic currywurst and boulette for decades in a no-nonsense atmosphere. For a more adventurous approach, try the top-secret curry sauce recipe and range of sausages on offer at the upmarket outlet, Wursterei, conveniently located next to Zoologischer Garten station.
To try boulette with all the trimmings, check out Boulette und Bohne on Skalitzer Strasse in hip Kreuzberg, also close to the East Side Gallery. Or if you happen to be after a late-night snack, some pre-party fuel or an easy meal after a long day travelling or sightseeing, then the ever popular, 24-hour opening Curry 36 on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg has what you are after.
Be sure to sample currywurst and boulette when in town, for an authentic Berlin culinary experience.

An affordable hotel in the city with the best facilities? Check out NH hotels on a budget in Berlin.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.