Jordan DeWeese, Business, Technology, and Engineering: The German Way Summer 2024
Food was definitely something I was concerned about when traveling to a new country. I like to say that I am willing to try everything at least once, and I think I definitely kept to that while in Germany. I believe the food reflected the city of Munich while also highlighting other cuisines and cultures.
Munich is located in Bavaria, so Bavarian cuisine is prominently featured in the city. In total, I dined at Bavarian restaurants five times, and each time I tried something different. The more I sampled different meals, the more I appreciated the opportunity to dine on the food in its country of origin. As with any meal, there were foods I enjoyed more than others, and I found myself liking German cuisine that I had never heard of in the United States. It was evident that the food in these restaurants was heavily influenced by German culture, and vice versa.
We were also given the opportunity to take a cooking class that taught us how to make traditional German dishes. As a group, we made a three-course meal, and it was fascinating to prepare much of the food we had been enjoying throughout our trip. My favorite Bavarian food I tried during my trip was obatzda, a cheese spread typically eaten with pretzels. During this class, we made this dip and pretzels from scratch, which was a lot of fun and very informative. I made sure to remember the recipe and plan to try my hand at making it at home.
Even though we were in Germany, many other cultures influenced the dining experience there. The two standouts to me were Italian and Thai cuisine, both of which I dined on multiple times. When dining at these restaurants, it felt like authentic meals being served in a German-influenced environment. We were told that authentic Italian food is very prominent in Munich, and I can attest that I ate some of the best pasta I have ever tasted. We would also walk near the university for lunch often, and there was a wide variety of food to choose from, ranging from pizza to tacos, so it always felt like I could find something I would enjoy.
Overall, my culinary experiences in Munich were as enriching as my academic and sightseeing activities. From traditional Bavarian dishes to exploring other cultural cuisines, my willingness to try new foods added another layer of depth to my time in Germany. The cooking class, in particular, was a highlight, providing hands-on experience with Bavarian cuisine and a lasting appreciation for the food culture.
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