As a Japanese American, I really suffered from food withdrawal when I first arrived in Germany 20 years ago. Where was my Kikkoman soy sauce, my Nishiki rice, my furikake? No mochi for New Year's, no daikon to spice things up?
Well, I'm happy to say, things have changed in the last two decades, and these days it is possible to find the basics. Provided you live in a big city, know where to look, are prepared to pay a premium price, and can read non-translated Japanese labels. Anyway, there is an upside to the situation. I finally had to learn to cook, in order to re-create something close to those tastes of home.
There are several food-related customs though, that are pretty different to what we're used to at home. If you're planning a trip to Germany, be warned: Table manners and eating habits are sometimes impossible to decipher. Please read this before going out and embarrassing yourself. Take it from me; I had to learn the hard way.
1) When eating, keep both hands clearly visible on the table at all times. I don't know what Germans think you're doing with them under the table, but apparently it's something bad.
2) Bread here is un-squishable (as in Wonder Bread) and therefore not suited for peanut butter sandwiches Good peanut butter is hard to find anyway. Give it up.
3) Germans believe that reheating cooked mushrooms and then eating them will kill you. Never serve them to a guest unless you don't want them to come back.
4) French fries are eaten with mayonnaise. You can eat them with ketchup, but are then immediately identified as a foreigner
5) Coca Cola cures a stomachache. In other countries, it gives you one.
6) Bread with cold cuts and cheese are considered a great dinner and are not only served by extremely poor people.
7) Most women under 35 only eat salads when in the company of other people.
8) Large quantities of beer is said to clean out the system.
9) Eggs should not be kept refrigerated because moisture makes them go bad.
10) Hard liquor is good for stomachaches.
11) Jell-O is called Wackel (shaking) pudding and is eaten plain and only in the secrecy of your own home.
12) Eating in a smoky restaurant with extremely slow and boorish service is considered relaxing. Dinners of 5 or 6 hours are not uncommon. Take a cushion along.
13) Sauerkraut is not as popular as we are led to believe in the U.S.A.
14) Do not ask for substitutions on the menu. It is legal for the cook to throw you out.
15) The pet food section of supermarkets is always larger and better stocked than the baby food section.
16) MacDonald's is considered unhealthy and fattening. Oily frankfurters and deep-fried shaved potatoes are not.
17) Pigs are served in a huge variety of ways:
a. Pig fat: used to spread on bread
b. Jellied pig: called Sülze
c. Huge pig hocks: looks unappetizing but are a specialty
d. Smoked pig: does not have to be cooked
e. Pig feet: also jellied and usually bought in a jar
f. Ground pig
g. Etc.
18) Wine is good for the heart - and also for stomachaches.
19) Smoking while others are eating is not bad manners but complaining about it is.
20) Dogs are allowed in restaurants because they get very lonely dining alone.
Published March 2, 2007
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