Exploring Sausages Around the World

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | May 6, 2024 3:38 pm | Add a comment | 184 reads

With Sausage Fest just under two weeks away we thought it would be the perfect time to dive into the world of sausages. Numerous countries across the globe have their own spin on this tubular delight, so we’ll be taking a look at some of the most famous kinds plus where you can find them in Beijing.

Germany: Bratwurst

Nowhere is more famous for sausages than Germany and it’s estimated that there are around 1,500 different kinds of German sausage. However, the most iconic has to be bratwurst which is usually made from finely minced pork with spices like nutmeg and marjoram. Grilled or pan fried it’s often served with sauerkraut and mustard. Recipes do vary from region to region and there are over 40 different documented varieties.

Where to find in Beijing: Bratwurst is available at most of the numerous German restaurants in Beijing like Paulaner and Schindlers Tankstelle.

Schindlers Tankstelle (Sanlitun branch)
10 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯北小街10号
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010-64631108

Paulaner
1/F, Yansha Youyi Shangcheng, 52 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马桥路52号燕莎友谊商城F1
Hours: 11.30am-1am
Phone: 010 6465 3388, 010 6410 4212

UK: Black Pudding

The UK is another country with many different types of sausages, but the most famous – love it or hate it – has to be black pudding. Made from a mixture of pork blood, fat, oatmeal or barley, and seasoning such as onions, spices and herbs. It is normally served as part of an English breakfast.

Where to find in Beijing: As part of the Full Irish Breakfast at Paddy O’Shea’s.

Paddy O’Shea’s
28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东直门外大街28号
Hours: 010 6415 6389
Phone: Mon-Fri 6pm-1am, Sat-Sun 3pm-1am

Ireland: White Pudding

A lesser-known cousin of black pudding unlike its darker counterpart, white pudding omits blood as an ingredient, resulting in a lighter appearance and milder flavor. Typically made from a mixture of pork meat, fat, suet, breadcrumbs, and various seasonings such as pepper, nutmeg and herbs. Similar to black pudding it’s normally enjoyed as part of a traditional Irish breakfast.

Where to find in Beijing: As part of the Full Irish Breakfast at Paddy O’Shea’s.

Paddy O’Shea’s
28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东直门外大街28号
Hours: 010 6415 6389
Phone: Mon-Fri 6pm-1am, Sat-Sun 3pm-1am

Spain: Chorizo

Chorizo is undoubtedly Spain’s most famous sausage, made from coarsely ground pork seasoned with smoked paprika (pimentón), garlic and other spices. The sausage is then cured so it’s ready to eat without cooking and is normally enjoyed as a tapas or snack alongside cheese and bread.

Where to find in Beijing: Chorizo is available at multiple Spanish restaurants here in Beijing like La Copa and Migas Mercado.

La Copa
Room 108, JinShang Yuan, 20, Xinyuan Lixi, Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
新东路新源里西20号金尚源大厦一层108
Hours: Mon-Thu 6-10:30pm, Fri- 6-11:30pm, Sat-Sun 3-5.30pm, 6-10:30pm
Phone: 198 0020 3903

Migas Mercado
7/F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城7层
Hours: 11.30am-2am
Phone: 010 6500 7579

France: Lyonnaise Sausage

Lyonnaise sausage, also known as saucisson de Lyon, is characterized by its coarsely ground pork seasoned with a blend of spices, typically including garlic, black pepper, nutmeg and sometimes red or white wine. Traditionally, Lyonnaise sausage is encased in a natural casing and lightly smoked, imparting a subtle smoky flavor to the meat.

Where to find in Beijing: La Maison Lyonnaise.

La Maison Lyonnaise
44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区光华路44号
Hours: 11am-10.30pm
Phone: 132 6003 4808

USA: Andouille Sausage

Although this sausage originated in France it has become deeply rooted in Cajun and Creole cuisine, particularly associated with Louisiana, USA. Crafted from coarsely ground pork seasoned with garlic, pepper and other spices. What sets andouille apart is its intense smokiness, achieved through a slow smoking process over pecan wood or other hardwoods.

Where to find in Beijing: At Nola’s in their Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo.

Nola
11A Xiushui Nanjie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区秀水南街11号
Hours: 10am-11.30pm
Phone: 133 6618 8770

South Africa: Boerewors

A traditional South African delicacy, boerewors are made from a mixture of beef, pork, or lamb, combined with spices like coriander, cloves and nutmeg, and are distinguished by their coiled shape. They and are often grilled or braaied (barbecued) and are a staple at South African social gatherings and braais (barbecues).

Where to find in Beijing:

Pinotage (Shunyi branch)
206, Bldg 7, East Asia Innovation International, Shunyi District
顺义区东亚创展国际7号楼206室
Hours: 11am-pm
Phone: 138 0131 9470

North Africa: Merguez

Originating in the North African countries of Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, merguez is typically made from a blend of ground lamb or beef mixed with spices like paprika, cumin and garlic. They're known for their vibrant red color and robust flavor, often with a hint of heat from chili peppers.

Where to find in Beijing: Toast at the Orchid

Toast at The Orchid
65 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区宝钞胡同65号
Hours: 10am-9.30pm
Phone: 010 64020824

China: Harbin Red Sausage

Made primarily from finely ground pork seasoned with a blend of spices and seasonings, including garlic, ginger, Sichuan pepper and chili powder. Harbin red sausage (哈尔滨红肠 Hāěrbīn hóngcháng) is distinguished by its red hue, achieved through the addition of red yeast rice during the curing process.

Where to find in Beijing:

秋林·里道斯 (Qiū lín·lǐ dào sī)
20 meters southeast of the intersection of Dongsi Beidajie and Qianliang Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街与钱粮胡同交叉口东南20米
Hours: 10am-9pm
Phone: 137 9660 3783

Mexico: Chorizo

Different to its Spanish counterpart, Mexican chorizo is typically made from ground fresh pork seasoned with a bold blend of spices, including chili peppers, garlic, paprika, cumin and Mexican oregano. Unlike Spanish chorizo, Mexican chorizo must be cooked before eating, because it’s made from raw meat and is neither smoked nor cured. It’s normally removed from its casing before cooking and added to other dishes rather than being served on its own.

Where to find in Beijing: Mexican chorizo is used in dishes at many Mexican restaurants in Beijing such as Q Mex and Taco Bar.

Q Mex (Sanlitun Branch)
H01, 1/F, Bldg 80, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号院80号楼1层H01
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11-1am
Phone: 010 6585 3828

Taco Bar (Sanlitun Branch)
1/F, Unit 10, Courtyard 4, Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳区北京机电院南三里屯路10号
Hours: 11.30am-midnight
Phone: 010 6501 6026

Thailand: Sai Ua

A traditional Northern Thai sausage, sai ua is made from ground pork seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices indigenous to Thailand, such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal and chili. It is often served alongside sticky rice, fresh vegetables, and dipping sauces.

Where to find in Beijing:

兰纳 LANNA泰餐厅 (Lán nà LANNA tài cāntīng)
3F, Yintai Center, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Jianwai Jiedao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建外街道建国门外大街2号银泰中心3层
Hours: 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-9pm
Phone: 185 1127 2801

Argentina: Longaniza

Unlike chorizo, which relies on paprika, longaniza boasts ground anise seeds for its signature taste. This imparts a subtly sweet flavor and a distinct aroma, setting it apart from other South American sausages. Traditionally cured and dried, longaniza is prized as an appetizer or sandwich meat.

Where to find in Beijing: Unfortunately, longaniza doesn’t seem to be available in Beijing but you can find Argentinian chorizo at Malbec and Beef for an alternative option.

Malbec and Beef (Jinshang branch)
Bldg 105 Jinshangyuan, 20 Xinyuanxili, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源里西20号金尚源底商105号
Hours: Mon 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-9.30pm, Tue-Sun 11.30am-10pm
Phone: 132 6995 1299

If that has got you hankering for some sausages, then there is no better place to try a whole variety of sausages than at our Sausage Fest, get your tickets now!

Sausage Fest will be taking place FFC South Square on May 17 from 4-9pm and on May 18 and 19 from 11am-9pm. Early bird tickets are RMB 25, VIP tickets are RMB 108 and tickets on the door are RMB 35. You can purchase tickets be scanning the QR code in the poster above.

FFC South Square 北京财富金融中心(FFC)南广场
5 Sanhuan Zhonglu, Hujialou Jiedao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区呼家楼街道东三环中路5号

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