Do you ever eat something, close your eyes, chew, and imagine how the chef may have intended to make you feel with this food? I've been moving with a lot of intention lately. Eating a lot of foods that I typically would never eat at home, just to try, experience, and feel what it's like to step into someone else's shoes. For 2 days, I got a taste of what it's like to be German... not a bad life.
On my first morning in Hamburg, I went to a local petit bistro seeking a hardy breakfast of champions before I started backpacking through the city. It was one of those type of places that was very instagram-able. Sugary pancakes that some girls go crazy over. I shouldn't just say girls, the giant Turkish dude sitting next to me also had raspberry sauce on his face at some point that morning. I ordered Chia seed pudding with a side of eggs and bacon with a warm chai latte (which ended up tasting like vitamins). Everything else on the plate was barely meeting decent. I like the use of berries that seems to be regular amongst German, Dutch, and Scandinavian food. They put a nice Physalis (Golden Berry) with the dried leaves still attached on top of my Chia Seed pudding which was nice (and I do appreciate the effort) but to be honest, I've had much better at home.
Renting City bikes is something I find myself doing every-time I get to a new city. I do it because I can move through the landscape of the city faster, see everything, and also be able to stop and observe at my own discretion. I'm looking for a travel partner to join me next time I go on a tour like this. that person needs to be able to ride scooters. I don't want to hear any excuses.
I drove around and checked out the popular sites and areas of Hamburg for a while and then decided to go to the city center because the food options in the touristy areas were not convincing enough. I stopped at a Stand close by to the Binnenalster lake where I found a large group of individuals lined up enjoying what looked like Bratwurst. One of the more traditional dishes known as 'Gestreift' (which means ‘striped’ in German) was Bratwurst and frites with curry ketchup. They call it that because it's usually served with ketchup and mayo sauced up with a striped drizzle, forming it to look like the striped railroad crossing bars. This is probably the most popular street food in Germany. I took one bite and began to wonder why so many people were in line at this stand. The flavor profile was nan, nothing. To me, it seemed like an ordinary kids meal. French fries, a cut up hotdog swimming in some ketchup that had been seasoned with curry, then topped with a sprinkle of curry powder. I was expecting a bit more as far as seasonings go.
My second night in Germany I met up with my friend Rashad. We went to one of his favorite spots which was an Italian restaurant in the city center. I asked him ‘why there? Is there not any good German food spots that he likes to eat at?’ He explained to me how the best food in Germany is not really from German people. Immigrants are what make food here so good. Immigrants make better food than white people? That fact came as no surprise to me, but what was served to me that evening left me shook. The spot was like an Italian chipotle where you can order pasta, pizza or a salad and they will make it right infant of you. I ordered Pasta carbonara with certainly no high expectations. Having a grandmother living in Italy will make you into a snob at any Italian restaurant. I watched this guy put diced yellow onions into the carbonara base. I was so confused. I walked out of the restaurant still in confusion. Even on the scooter ride back to the Hostel, still confused. I guess it was just a German restaurant with an Italian disguise.
My friend Rashad is a professional soccer player and he cooks for himself for the most part and now I understand why. I’m grateful I got to spend some time with him none the less. During his game, I passed up the opportunity for another Bratwurst and fries from the concession stand with the anticipation of going to this Turkish spot he told me about. This is a spot he frequents for a post game meal. I got Beef Al Pastor (as I like to call it) with fries inside, salad, spicy sauce and pickled banana peppers. This was the best thing I ate during my short 2 day stint in Germany. This is the validation to my previous statement about immigrant food.
It has been a good minute since I’ve tasted anything relatively spicy like that. Northern Europe is not the place for spicy food lovers, I’ve come to learn. It makes me appreciate Texas and its strong Mexican influence a little more. To be honest, I've been overseas about a month and some change at this point and I miss Fried chicken and barbecue. I miss crispy wings from Frenchy’s. I miss that dinosaur beef rib from Gatlin’s BBQ. There is just something about that rich food from Texas that leaves me insatiable while eating in out here.
The food in Germany was a true disappointment. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I didn’t come to be impressed by Turkish food (which I was). I wanted Schnitzel, that was crispy and flavorful, bratwurst that was seasoned to perfection along a warm, soft, fresh-baked roll and mustard from Dusseldorf with a depth of contrasting flavors. What I received in exchange for my precious euros was not worth coming back for. However, on the brighter side of things, I now have a slight peek of an insight into what it would be like if I was German. There are certain factors to this country that allow for a better quality of life for humans and dogs (especially dogs). I can understand why some people choose to live here despite the lack of seasoned food. Some people eat to live, and some live to eat ;)
I want to give a special thank you to my good friend Rashad for hosting me in Hamburg. All of us who grew up watching you play are teary eyed & full of pride as we see you reach new heights on and off the field. I'm big proud of you bro.
- Chef Khalieb
Comentarios