A taste of Berlin: discover new culinary highlights!

A taste of Berlin: discover new culinary highlights!

Berlin is once again showing off its best culinary side! In the lively metropolis, the gastronomy has established itself not only as a meeting place for international cuisine, but also for authentic Asian delights. In the WDR program “Alles in Butter” Mr. Gote reports on his latest experiences in the capital and particularly highlights the best roast pork that he was able to taste. The culinary diversity in Berlin is impressive, and the city has made a name for itself as a destination for tasty Asian dishes and international specialties.

Another highlight are the cocktails, which reach world standards in Berlin. Moderator Uwe Schulz traces the history of these delicious drinks in a conversation with Michael Bienert, an expert on cocktail culture. The two embark on an exciting journey of discovery, during which the quality of the cocktails is also critically examined. Recommended addresses include the Tip Berlin on Müllerstrasse and the Restaurant Merold on Pannierstrasse, both of which impress with their created cocktails.

A look into cocktail history

Michael C. Bienert is not only the author of the book “Cocktails in Berlin,” which deals with the history and development of cocktail culture in the city, but also a historian who teaches at several universities. His book is divided into three parts: history, bars and recipes. The first part in particular offers a well-founded but easy-to-read approach to the origins of cocktail culture, which began in the USA, and its development in Berlin in the 19th century. In between, Bienert sheds light on the importance of “bodegas”, which at the time offered cheaper cocktails and thus made it easier to access bar culture.

A magical section of the book presents 15 bars, with the selection based on Bienert's personal preferences and each bar celebrated with photos and engaging text. And of course there are 50 recipe ideas that encourage readers to get creative and mix their own cocktails. This brings the historical dimension of cocktail culture to life and shows how interwoven it is with the history of Berlin.

Asian cuisine on the rise

In the Berlin gastronomy scene, The Duc Ngo is a heavyweight when it comes to Asian cuisine. The native Vietnamese has made a decisive contribution to the spread of Asian cuisine with his numerous restaurants, including Kuchi and Cocolo. His vision for the future? To make Vietnamese cuisine even better known in Germany and to receive more recognition. Ngo sees Kantstraße as a vibrant place for culinary discovery and is enthusiastic about the diverse influences that the city offers.

The dining scene has changed significantly over the years, and The Duc Ngo notes that a new cohesion has emerged during the pandemic. The discussion about cultural appropriation, which he follows passionately, also plays a role here. His credo: Even if it is sometimes perceived as apolitically correct, everyone has to go their own way in the gastronomy world.

With an eye on upcoming food trends, it could well be that German cuisine, with traditional delicacies, will come back into focus. But until then, Berlin remains a hot tip for keen gourmets who are looking for new taste experiences!

For those interested, there is the book “Cocktails in Berlin” by Michael Bienert from BeBra Verlag for 28 euros, which gives an exciting overview of cocktail culture as well as recipes and bar recommendations.