Nippesser Wochenmarkt ★ 4.8
Nippesser Wochenmarkt at Wilhelmplatz in Cologne's Nippes runs Mon-Fri 07:00-13:00 and Saturday to 14:30; one of the most authentic neighbourhood markets.
History
Mett is German lean minced pork, traditionally from the shoulder, served raw on bread as Mettbrötchen. The tradition is centuries old in northern and western Germany; food-safety regulations require Mett to be ground and sold the same day. Cologne's Wochenmarkt stalls and Bäckereien like Backerei Zimmermann and Bastians serve it from early morning. The most common breakfast or second-breakfast order at any Cologne market.
Common allergens: Gluten
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 200g freshly ground lean pork shoulder (must be ground the same day, from a butcher you trust)
- 1 small white onion, very finely diced
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of sweet paprika
- 2 fresh Brötchen (German bread rolls) or sourdough rolls
- 1 teaspoon cold butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- Mittelscharf mustard, optional
Method
- Combine the pork with the diced onion, salt, pepper and paprika. Mix gently with a fork; do not overwork or the texture goes pasty.
- Split each Brötchen and butter lightly.
- Pile half the Mett onto the bottom of each Brötchen, mounded in the centre.
- Scatter chives on top and add a fresh grind of black pepper.
- Eat immediately within 30 minutes of grinding the pork. Mett does not keep.
Tip from the editors. Only use pork ground the same day by a butcher who knows the Mett tradition. The Federal Office for Food Safety requires it. Never use supermarket mince.
Where to eat mettbrötchen
Mettbrötchen in Cologne
Backerei Zimmermann ★ 4.8
Backerei Zimmermann on Ehrenstrasse in Cologne has baked dark rye breads, Brötchen and Mettbrötchen since 1875; one of the oldest family bakeries.
Bastians ★ 4.5
Bastians at Auf dem Berlich in Cologne's Altstadt is one of the city centre's most reliable traditional bakeries, serving Mettbrötchen and rye breads.
More cities are in research. Want mettbrötchen covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.