On a recent trip to Berlin, I decided to ask the locals what food they loved most. Overwhelmingly, one dish kept coming up: currywurst. Curry-what? I thought to myself. Intrigued, I set off on a little adventure to track down this much-talked-about delicacy.

This is Stories From The 78 in Belin.

I found a street vendor tucked right under the rail system and gave it a try. As a Midwest American—and a proud Chicagoan, no less—this went against every meat sensibility I had. I mean, we’ve got a Sausage King back home! But I was curious. Turns out, currywurst is surprisingly simple: a grilled pork sausage smothered in ketchup and sprinkled with curry powder. Sure, you can dress it up with extra toppings, but at its core, that’s the magic.

Wanting to know more, I stumbled upon the Deutsches Currywurst Museum, where I learned all about its fascinating history. Currywurst was invented in 1949 by Herta Heuwer, a Berlin woman who started selling it at a food stand in Charlottenburg. The idea came to her after obtaining ketchup (or possibly Worcestershire sauce) and curry powder from British soldiers stationed in Germany. She mixed the ingredients with other spices, poured the sauce over grilled sausages, and created a sensation. Her stand became a hotspot for construction workers rebuilding the city, and at its peak, she was selling 10,000 servings a week!

Heuwer even patented her sauce in 1951 under the name “Chillup.” Over time, currywurst became a nationwide phenomenon. Today, Germans consume an estimated 800 million currywursts annually, with 70 million devoured in Berlin alone. You’ll find it everywhere—from street vendors and snack stands to restaurants and even supermarket shelves. Variations abound: some versions include paprika, chopped onions, or beef sausages for halal preparation. No matter the twist, it’s almost always served chopped into bite-sized pieces on a paper plate with a wooden fork, often alongside fries or a slice of bread.

Unlike an American brat served in a bun, currywurst is more of a meal than a sandwich. It’s uniquely Berlin, a little messy, but undeniably satisfying. So, if you’re ever in Germany, skip the fancy stuff and grab a currywurst. Prost!

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