We talk about Viennese cuisine these days – but which dishes are really Viennese in origin? What culinary delights does the Danube metropolis have to offer?
Viennese cuisine refers to many dishes that did not originate in Vienna, but in many parts of the former monarchy.
The question of all questions usually begins: “Why are there so many delicacies in this cosmopolitan city?” A dignified answer is not always easy to formulate. It is best to start with a brief historical outline of the former crown lands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its neighbors and later allies.
Many of today’s typical Viennese dishes have a completely different “ancestry“. The famous “Wiener Schnitzel” supposedly comes from Italy. The apple strudel was made in Turkey
“invented.” The “bean soup” is of Serbian origin. The “Powidltascherl ” belong to the
Bohemian national dishes” to mention just a few.
It is fair to say that Viennese cuisine and its culinary treasures have a very international character, as befits a European metropolis that was and still is a melting pot of many peoples .
The famous dishes of the Danube metropolis, which every Viennese and Vienna lover knows, are also known far beyond the city limits. Let’s start with the roast pork.
The typical festive dish of bygone eras: Roast pork, the “Bratl”, served with cabbage and dumplings. This dish certainly didn’t originate in the Danube metropolis, as it is also an integral part of national menus in the Czech Republic and Bavaria.
But in Vienna, “das Bratl” has taken on a special quality. The pork shoulder, the rump or even the belly of the animal is usually used in the preparation. It is seasoned with garlic and caraway seeds during roasting , which gives the meat its incomparable flavor. Gourmets particularly appreciate the crispy “Schwartl”that lovers of this meal enjoy.
A warm coleslaw and napkin dumplings round off the quickly satisfying taste experience. In times of calorie-conscious diets, this main course in Vienna is now only appreciated by connoisseurs.
Time Travel Tip: You will usually find a pork roast on every menu in most restaurants. The pork knuckle (Stelze) tastes best at the Schweizerhaus in the Prater.
More information: schweizerhaus.at
