Fischbrötchen - a Northern German delicacy. No visit to the German coastline is complete, without having enjoyed a German Fish sandwich at least once. Fresh, crispy a bit salty, and utterly delicious. For some towns like Hamburg, it is a landmark dish.
Today I am going to tell you a little about the German Fischbrötchen - and give you the recipe for my favorite sandwich - the Bremer Fischbrötchen. A fish cake sandwich.
What are German Fish Sandwiches
A Fischbrötchen is a German Fish Sandwich comprised of fish or seafood served between two slabs of bread (typically bread rolls). They are served across the North Sea and East Sea Coast but are also popular snacks that can be found at festivals like Christmas Markets or Oktoberfest.
It is not sure who invented this dish, but the trend emerged in the 19th century, as it was the perfect snack for harbor workers to have on the go. During the 20th century, the coastal resorts became popular tourist destinations and the dish became famous across Germany.
Types of German Fishbrötchen
- Matjes Brötchen - Matjes is a mild type of herring processed before it reaches its mating ages. It is typically served with raw onions.
- Bismarkherring Brötchen - Bismarkherring is a marinated type of herring dish. It was named after the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) who is said to have loved this dish. It is also served with raw onions and German pickled Gherkins (affiliate link).
- Bremer or Fishfrikadellenbrötchen - is a fish sandwich made with Fish cake and often served with ketchup or tartar sauce, gherkins, and roasted onions.
- Backfishbrötchen - is a sandwich made with beer-battered fish. It is also served with pickled gherkins (affiliate link) and salad.
- Aalfishbrötchen - is a sandwich made from eel. Served with Salad it is a favorite of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
- Krabbenbrötchen - for this sandwich, German browned shrimp called Nordseekrabben is served in a roll with some tartar sauce, onions, and gherkins.
- Stremmellacksbrötchen- here slices of hot smoked salmon are served with salad, gherkin, and tartar sauce in bread rolls.
Hamburg and Fischbrötchen
Hamburg is Germany's most important harbour city and Hamburg claimed the Fischbrötchen. Their custom of serving fresh fish between two slices of bread dates back to the 18th century. Tourists today will find the best fish sandwiches at the Landungbrücken, Fishmarkets, and stalls all over the town.
About Bremer Fish Cake Sandwich
Bremer is a fish cake, between two slices of bread. It is also known as Fischfikadellenbrötchen. It resembles a Fish Burger. The Fish cake in German is called "Fischfrikadelle" and it is made from ground fish, herbs, and bread, then shaped into a fish pattie and coated in breadcrumbs.
The name "Bremer" was coined by the German street food vendor "Nordsee" a German fast food outlet. Nordsee sells seafood all over Germany. They marketed the "Fischfrikadellenbrötchen" as "Bremer". It is their most popular Fishbrötchen by the way.
How to make a Bremer Fishbrötchen
This is one of the easiest sandwiches to replicate. You can make an authentic Fishfrikadelle (German Fish Cake) from scratch or buy a ready-made one from the supermarket.
Ingredients:
Check out the printable recipe card below for exact quantities
- bread rolls - crust bread rolls are best. If you cannot
- Fishcakes / Fish patties or burgers (homemade German "Fischfrikadellen" or storebought
- pickled gherkins (affiliate link) - use the German kind, or cornichons will do.
- lettuce leaves
- Remoulade (affiliate link) - alternatively tartar sauce
- tomato ketchup
- fried onions
Assemble the Sandwich
Slice the bread roll in two. One half spread with remoulade (affiliate link), the other with tomato ketchup. Place one slice of lettuce on top, then the fish cake, and topped with the sliced gherkins. Lastly, sprinkle over the roasted onions, before closing the sandwich.
How to serve
This sandwich is meant to be eaten on the go. However, I always buy my children some fries with it which goes down well. You can also a Northern German Potato Salad.
More German Street Food?
More Fish Recipes
Recipe
Bremer- German Fish Sandwich (Fischbrötchen)
Ingredients
- 4 crusty bread rolls you can use baguette instead if you like
- 4 pickled gherkins (affiliate link) or cornichons
- 4 tablespoon remoulade alternativley Tartar Sauce
- 4 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 4 lettuce leafs
- 4 fish cakes
Click for Recipe or use shop bought fish patties / fish burgers/ - 4 tablespoon fried onions
Instructions
- Slice the gherkins thinly4 pickled gherkins (affiliate link) or cornichons
- Slice the bread roll in half horizontally.4 crusty bread rolls
- Spreak one half with remoulade (affiliate link) the other half with ketchup. Add a lettuce leaf, a fish cake, and some crispy onions on top, and close the sandwich.4 lettuce leafs, 4 tablespoon remoulade (affiliate link), 4 tablespoon tomato ketchup, 4 tablespoon fried onions
- Optional - serve the German fish sandwich with some fries or German fried potatoes or a green salad.
Tajda Ferko says
Great and easy to follow recipe that feels authentic. Thanks!