Ketwurst

The Ketwurst is a distinctive kind of hot dog that originated in the former East Germany, also known as the German Democratic Republic. The name "Ketwurst" ingeniously fuses "Ketchup" and "Wurst" the German word for sausage.

To prepare a Ketwurst, a special sausage known as Bockwurst, which is larger than a typical hot dog, is first heated in water. A long roll is then pierced with a heated metal rod to create a hole the perfect size for the sausage. The heated sausage is then dipped in ketchup before being inserted into the roll.

The Ketwurst was invented at the State Gastronomical Research Center around 1977-1978, alongside another creation called the Grilletta, which is essentially a meatball in a bun. This innovation emerged due to the overwhelming number of visitors to the Berlin TV Tower's restaurants, highlighting the need for a convenient, grab-and-go food option.

While the Ketwurst is often considered the quintessential fast food of East Germany, it wasn't commonly found outside the Berlin city center until after the reunification of Germany.