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Hamburg Pickled Fish — traditional dish from Hamburg, Germany
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥400kcal
💪30gProtein
🌾8gCarbs
🥑28gFat
🌿1gFibre
⚖️300 gServing

* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish

Hamburg Pickled Fish

How to order / say it
Say it Brathering — [BRAH-teh-ring]
Order I'd like the Brathering, please.
Locally Ich hätte gerne den Brathering, bitte.
Say locally

Marinated fried herring, a staple in Hamburg's cuisine.

Why try it?

Brathering symbolizes Hamburg's deep connection with the North Sea and love for fish preservation. It's a dish that embodies the city's maritime culture and historical trade influences.

How it tastes

The dish offers a symphony of sour and salty flavors with the tender, flaky texture of the herring perfectly marinated. Served cold, it's a refreshing and hearty meal with an aromatic vinegar note.

Origin & History — first documented: 1850

Brathering dates back to the 19th century, originating as a way to preserve fish for longer periods. As herring was plentiful on the northern coasts, Hamburg became synonymous with its distinctive pickled fish preparation over the decades.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 400 g herring
  • 🥣 200 ml vinegar
  • 🧄 100 g onion
  • 🧂 2 leaves bay leaves
  • 🧂 10 g peppercorns
  • 🧂 10 g salt

Method

  1. 1 Clean and fillet the herrings.
  2. 2 Fry the herring fillets until golden. Set aside.
  3. 3 Create a marinade with vinegar, onions, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
  4. 4 Soak the fried herring in the marinade overnight.

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All Europe recipes — Germany — Hamburg — Hamburg Pickled Fish
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