Professor at Hochschule Düsseldorf
Studied Political Science & Sociology at Ruhr University BochumGraduated 1999
Let’s answer this question in a scientific way by empirical data.
Here is the ranking of the most popular dishes in canteens (which are in fact eaten) - which is probably the best answer to the question what Germans normally eat, not on special occasions:
- Schnitzel with french fries.
- All kinds of pasta (spaghetti bolognese is most popular).
- Pizza.
- Grilled steaks.
- Potatoe dishes (potatoe salad, casserole…).
- Hamburger.
- Currywurst and Bratwurst.
- Chicken.
- Stews (thick soups with lentils, peas, barley, beans, potatoes…).
- Fresh fish.
Source: Compass Group Deutschland
Suprised?
If you ask the Germans about their favourite food you get this ranking:
- Beef roulade.
- Spaghetti Bolognese.
- Sauerbraten.
- Crusty pork roast.
- Steaks and Barbecue.
- Cabbage roulade.
- Königsberger Klopse (veal meatballs in creamy sauce).
- Pizza.
- Schnitzel with creamy mushrooms.
- Gulasch.
Source: various polls
Surprised again?
Lessons learned: Germans prefer beef over pork (however, beef is pricier). And sausages are considered a snack, not a proper meal. So the real Germans eat different things than the tourists do when in Germany. But why should you travel to Germany in order to eat a pizza?
