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    Home » German Sea Food

    Bremer Fischbrötchen - German Fish Sandwich

    Published: Nov 12, 2020 · Modified: Mar 1, 2025 by Marita Sinden · Leave a Comment

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    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.

    Bremer Fischbrötchen

    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

    German Fishbrötchen by the sea
    Gebratener Rollmops
    Fried Rollmops Sandwich
    Matjes Brötchen
    Matjes Fishbrötchen
    Seelachsschnitzel
    Seelachs Schnitzel Brötchen
    • 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
    Bremer Fischbrötchen

    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.

    Bremer German Fish Sandwich Ingredients

    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.

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    Recipe

    German Fish Sandwich Bremer- Fischbrötchen

    Bremer- German Fish Sandwich (Fischbrötchen)

    Marita
    A delicous popular fish sandwich that is commonly found at the German seaside. Made with Fish cakes (Fishfrikadellen) and crusty rolls.
    No ratings yet
    I look forward to your feedback. Just click the stars above.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people

    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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Slice the gherkins thinly
      4 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.
    Keyword fish cake sandwich, fish sandwich, german sea food
    Did you make this recipe? I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Please leave a quick Comment and star rating. I appreciate your feedback.

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    Hi, I'm Marita

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. Here at My Dinner, you will find traditional and authentic German recipes with cultural backgrounds.

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