Konnopke's Imbiss, legendary currywurst stand in East Berlin

Konnopke's Imbiss has been serving currywurst at this location below the elevated U-Bahn track since 1960 — Konnopke’s Imbiss has been serving currywurst at this location below the elevated U-Bahn track since 1960

Konnopke’s Imbiss is an institution in East Berlin. The small food stand under the U-Bahn tracks in Prenzlauer Berg has been serving currywurst since 1931. In the 1930s, the Konnopke family started selling sausages and frankfurter at this location.

Over the years, Konnopke’s Imbiss converted their business from a simple table to a wooden booth to a permanent stand with electricity, water, and propane gas.

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What is Currywurst?

Currywurst is a popular and traditional German fast food found at food stands all across Berlin. The dish consists of steamed and fried pork sausage cut into slices and covered with curry ketchup and curry powder. It is usually served with a side of French fries.

Everyone has their favorite currywurst spot in Berlin. In Kreuzberg, in the west, you have Curry 36. Konnopke’s Imbiss is the king of East Berlin.

In my opinion, and according to many other Berliners, Konnopke’s Imbiss serves up the best currywurst in Berlin. Their sausages are juicy, spicy, flavorful, and cheap, and the location makes you feel like you are eating at a local spot off the tourist trail.

Arrival at Konnopke’s Imbiss

Covered seating area along with standing tables

Order your food at the window of this yellow metal panel food stand

When you are ready to order, walk up to the yellow metal panel food stand window and place your order with one of the friendly German-speaking ladies. They might not know a lot of English, but if you talk slowly and point, they will know what you want to order.

When your food is ready, you can join the locals and stand at one of the high-top tables or sit inside the small covered seating area. On the day I visited, it was cold and windy. Thankfully, the covered seating area kept me slightly warmer.

Konnopke’s Imbiss Menu

The menu at Konnopke’s Imbiss was straightforward, with a small selection of sausages and sides, including french fries and potato salad.

Check out the recommended menu if you are still deciding what to order or if it is your first time. This menu includes curry sausage, with options including rolls, French fries, and potatoes with ketchup or mustard.

As for drinks, you have beers, coffee, espresso, soft drinks, and more.

Currywurst with Fries

The Currywurst with French Fries (3,50 EUR) is why you want to come to Konnopke’s Imbiss, and this is why they are famous.

When you order this simple yet classic dish, you will be rewarded with a plump and succulent sausage sliced and smothered in a special spicy and sweet curry ketchup.

A good dusting of curry powder added an extra layer of flavor to the juicy and savory sausages. What I loved most about the sausages was the crispy casings, which really set the currywurst apart from other stands in the city.

On the side was a healthy serving of golden yellow, crispy, and hot Pommes Frites covered with the same curry ketchup and a dollop of mayonnaise. Both the ketchup and mayonnaise were optional, but I recommend you order them both as Europeans do.

Remember to use the small forks while you eat. If you don’t, your hands will be covered in sticky, sweet ketchup.

For such a simple dish, I was surprised at how well the flavors and textures complemented each other. Smoky sausage, sweet and spicy curry ketchup, tangy mayonnaise, and crispy and hot French fries. It doesn’t get much better than this for the price.

Service at Konnopke’s Imbiss

The women who worked at the food stand were friendly but didn’t speak much English. But I had no issues with ordering.

Otherwise, my food came out hot and quick, but not so fast that it was premade or sitting around.

After I made my order and picked up my food, there wasn’t any further interaction with the workers.

Conclusion

Konnopke’s Imbiss is one of my favorite spots in Berlin for currywurst, an affordable, delicious, and quick meal.

It was a memorable meal for me. I stood at the food stall and enjoyed freshly grilled sausage with spicy and sweet curry ketchup, a side of French fries, and a cold beer. This made me happy.

If you are in East Berlin, stop by Konnopke’s Imbiss at least once. You won’t regret it.