Food that sounds unpleasant when translated from German to English, case one:
Translation
Leberkäse, directly translates to, “Liver Cheese”, although the simple form of Leberkäse in Bavaria doesn’t contain liver or cheese. The word part, Leber, is a dialect misinterpretation, most likely stems from the word Laib meaning loaf. The word part, Käse, is more a description of the consistency rather than an ingredient. It also goes by Fleishkäse.
What is it?
pinkish (cured) or whitish (not cured), loaf of meat, made from beef, pork and spices, cut into thick slices and served between two halves of a bread roll, or auf Bayerish, Semmel. It is served warm.
My thoughts
The name grossed me out when I first arrived in Munich so I avoided it for a good year until a friend convinced me to give it a go. That first time was at the underground ‘food court’ at Karlsplatz (Stachus). Not bad. It reminds me of a really thick slice of American baloney that taste better than American baloney. It’s great with hot mustard but watch the sleeves, the mustard tends to run. I usually scout one out when I find myself suddenly starving, low on cash and on the go. Leberkäsesemmel is a great pick-me-up for less than 2 Euro and is typically eaten while standing. If you are a health freak, do not attempt this energy source.
Where to get Leberkäsesemmeln
Leberkäse is sold in all Metzgerei (butcher shops). Look in a chain delicatessen called Vinzenzmurr or bakeries. They can also be found at an Imbiss at train stations or in the subway station shops. Do try other variations if you luck upon them, i.e., Bärlauch, Mexican, and Pizza. The one featured here is chili style and surprisingly hit the fiery mark.
What do you think of Leberkäse?
It runs under “foreign cuisine” in Norddeutschland and comes without bread roll (‘Brötchen’ we call it) but with cold potatoe salad and a fried egg. It seems that there is no way for us in the North to order it without using a silly fantasy dialect we think of as being bayrisch. Same with Weißwürste by the way.
Yep, up here in the cold north it comes in a blue and white package – “Echt bayerisches Leberkäse” or something. My husband and kids adore it and I like it all right even if it does remind me of eating fried bologna.
I have been a vegeterian since i was 17. I am almost 37. I think the food here sucks. I cannot eat in German places. There simply is not anything to eat. The lack of fresh vegtables makes me sick. Also germans think that vegeterians only eat salad or vegtables. You have to search long and hard for tofu or Gluten in this part of the country ( Bavaria) it is further proof how backwards this place is it is like it is stuck in the early 80′s just with a faster internet.
@Ingo: Leberkäse with fried eggs? not bad. I may have a side of extra heart medication, though.
@christina: yep, kids and puppies love the stuff.
@Kevin: sorry man, you aren’t the only vegetarian I hear that from. That’s why Alex and I primarily eat from home. Sounds like you need a road trip through Italy!