When the New Year is upon us and German Christmas Markets are set up and there are no gifts to buy for our loved ones and no delicacies to delight our stomachs in these sparkling bazaars? As we say new year, new excitements, we would like to introduce you to the German Christmas Market food and drink selections before we leave behind a tiring year.
In the fairy-tale Christmas markets of Germany,we list the wonderful suggestions that you will want to eat those flavors again every year when you taste them. Let’s warn you in advance so that our ears don’t ring in the rest of the article, right?
While we recommend that you read this content when you are full, not hungry, we leave you with the flavors of the Christmas Market so that you can treat yourself to great feasts before the New Year.
We have listed the flavors of the Christmas market for you, from sweet to salty, from sweet to sugar-free, from the most popular to the most excluded, from drinks to food. Before introducing these delicacies, let us make a warning.
The flavors offered at the Christmas market may be made from lard or pork. You can ask the place where you buy the food about the ingredients.
What to eat in Christmas Markets in Germany?
When you think of German Christmas Market food selections, you imagine mouth-watering dishes, don’t you? So what are we waiting for, let’s take a look at the Christmas market dishes together, one by one.
Flammlachs (salmon cooked in a flame)
Flammlach is actually salmon cooked over a flame. The salmon is attached to a wooden board and left to cook in front of an open fire, resulting in such a mouthwatering flavor.
Flammkuchen
Flammkuchen, which is just as good as lahmacun when it comes to flatbread, is waiting for you to taste it somewhere in between. It is definitely ambitious enough to be among the best of the Christmas markets.
Kartoffelpfannkuchen (Potato Patties)
In Germany’s popular Christmas markets, kartoffelpfannkuchen is one of the most popular and widely sold German Christmas Market food selections. We wouldn’t be wrong if we call it potato puffs or potato hash browns. When you have the opportunity to eat it as it is made, this crispy flavor will surely be among the unforgettable flavors.
Wurst (German sausage)
We can say that Germany’s sausage is the favorite of Christmas markets. Especially currywurst, which is a sausage with curry sauce, and bratwurst, another type of sausage, are among the flavors that should not be passed without trying.
Raclette brot (Raklette cheese bread)
A delicious bread topped with Raclette cheese! If you go to the Christmas market, don’t leave without trying it. Look for it, find it and try it. Raclette cheese, either Gruyere or even Appenzeller, is most probably coming from Switzerland or South of Germany.
Langos, deep fried Hungarian flatbread
Langos, which we can call a kind of bake, is also among the popular flavors of the Christmas market. Of course, there are those who love it and those who don’t, but we think you can still give it a chance.
Dampfnudeln
Dampfnudeln, a kind of steamed doughy food, is one of the most popular and tried delicacies at the Christmas market.
Image rights: Silar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Spätzle (German noodles)
Spätzle, which is widely preferred when it comes to Christmas market flavors in Germany, is a kind of pasta. If you are a pasta lover, spätzle is among the flavors you can prefer.
Reibekuchen (Potato Pancakes)
Reibekuchen, a type of hash brown, is one of the most popular German Christmas Market food selections. It is usually served with marmalade or the usual tzatziki. But we have to say that it is not for everyone: It is delicious but quite fatty as it is deep fried.
Champignonpfanne (mushrooms in garlic sauce)
Mushrooms with garlic sauce are one of the classic flavors of the Christmas market. Fried in large cast iron pans, the mushrooms are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, leaving a delicious taste on the palate.
What do drink in Christmas Markets in Germany?
After the food at the Christmas Market, we take a look at their drinks.
Punsch
Germans prefer punsch, an alcoholic drink, in cold winter weather. This flavor that will warm you up is usually the refuge of those who do not like glühwein. Punsch is also available in a non-alcoholic version. Since the non-alcoholic version is also preferred by children, it can be found in the market under the name “kinderpunsch”.
Feuerzangenbowle
Feuerzangenbowle, an alcoholic fruit cocktail made with red wine, is one of the most popular homemade drinks sold at the Christmas market. You can enjoy it with pleasure, but be careful when drinking it! Due to its high alcohol content, it can hit you in a short time without you realizing it.
Glühwein (mulled wine)
Glühwein, the mulled wine of the Germans, is one of the most popular drinks during the New Year. We can say that it is perfect for getting over the cold in Germany. Glühwein, which can even help you find the Christmas market, says “I’m here!” with its smell. Enjoy Glühwein with one of the German Christmas Market food selections such as a German Wurst.
Eierpunsch (Eggnog)
Eierpunsch, or eggnog, is one of the most popular drinks of the cold season. It doesn’t contain many ingredients, but when it is made, it is definitely a very popular flavor. We recommend you to try it if you are looking for something different.
Lumumba (Hot Chocolate)
Lumumba is an adult hot chocolate sold at Christmas markets. Served with cocoa powder, milk and alcohol, this hot chocolate is one of the flavors that those who taste it once will definitely drink it often afterwards.
Christmas Market sweets in Germany
We’ve had our dinner, we’ve had our drinks, and now it’s time for dessert!
Crêpes (Pancakes)
The Christmas markets sell all kinds of pancakes. Whether with ham, chocolate or sugar! Crepes are always a great delicacy, and this wonderful French recipe is also welcomed in the wonderful markets of Germany.
Lebkuchen (Gingerbread Cookies)
Lebkuchen must have become a tradition in Germany during Christmas time, because it immediately comes to light and starts to be sold in abundance. This cookie with cinnamon, ginger, plenty of spices and a slightly astringent taste is a feast of taste and smell. While you are there, don’t leave without trying it.
Kandierte Äpfel (candied apples)
Of course, there are also candied apples at the Christmas market to keep our childhood alive. Whether you’re big or small, the candy apples, which are bright red on the outside, are sure to whet the appetite.
Baumkuchen (wood cake)
When it comes to Christmas market delicacies, baumkuchen, or tree cake, comes to mind. The layered dough resembles a tree trunk.
Waffel
We wouldn’t be wrong if we say that it ranks in the top 3 among the most delicious desserts. If the dough is good, the toppings don’t matter much. Waffles are definitely one of the best desserts you can enjoy on cold German evenings, while having a good time with your loved ones in the markets before Christmas.
Churros
If you are in search of dessert, you should try churros, which we can call the Spanish dumpling dessert. There are plenty of churros at the food stands opened at the Christmas markets.
Schoko frucht spieße (Chocolate fruit skewers)
Showing how well chocolate and fruit go together, schoko frucht spieße, one of the inhabitants of this delicious Christmas market, can be described as a chocolate fruit skewer. The fruit skewered on a skewer is covered with chocolate and gives you an explosion of flavor.
Schmalzkuchen (Butter Cake)
A kind of fried dough, schmalzkuchen is served with powdered sugar. This delicacy, which is very popular at the Christmas market and which everyone buys by approaching a stand, should be tasted and remembered even once a year.
German Christmas Market snacks
Let’s take a look at the snacks among the Christmas market delicacies!
Maronen (Chestnut)
You know what they say, ‘Chestnut kebab, it’s good to eat! While feasting your eyes on the sparkling appearance of the Christmas Market, you can feast your stomach with maronen, or chestnuts.
Spiralkartoffel (spiral potato)
Although this delicacy has become widely sold everywhere in Turkey, it is indispensable in Germany’s Christmas markets. With its spice, warmth and pleasant eating style, it is definitely one of the things you should try.
Gebrannte mandeln (roasted almonds)
This flavor, which means almonds roasted with sugar at Christmas markets, is by far one of the favorites of the market. Almonds coated with caramelized sugar, especially when eaten hot and warm, make you swoon.
Let’s not forget to mention that when you eat gebrannte mandeln, the taste will stay with you for a long time.
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