6 Uniquely Delicious Hot Dogs from Around the World

Flickr/JudeanPeoplesFront
Flickr/JudeanPeoplesFront

The beloved hot dog is a quintessentially American food, right? It's served ubiquitously on the Fourth of July and at every summer cookout across the country. It's topped with ketchup (unless you're in Chicago) and mustard and relish and served at the ball game. There is even a National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. Well, while the history of the hot dog remains somewhat of a mystery (the frankfurter, which spawned our hot dogs, of course comes from Frankfurt, Germany, but no one can put a finger on how they evolved into the American "hot dog"), it is safe to say that this proudly American dish has made its way around the world, with every region putting their own unique stamps on it.

RELATED: 10 Unique Hot Dog Toppings From Around the World

While we were busy debating Nathan's Famous versus Vienna Beef versus Oscar Mayer, the humble hot dog was busy becoming French, Chilean, South African, Belgian, Chinese, and Icelandic. Of course, it's easy to see why so many cultures would find it easy and enticing to put their spin on such a tasty dish. Nearly every cuisine has some type of sausage (or encased meat) and some type of bun (or encompassing breaded object), so from there, it's a matter of adding on toppings that are typical of that place.

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Even domestically, there are such varied hot dogs on offer from coast to coast. Take the Hawaiian hot dog, which is a baked round bun with a grilled sausage stuffed inside along with any number of regional toppings like fruity relishes or lemon garlic sauce. Or consider Guatemalan mixtas, which are hot dogs served in a tortilla, instead of a bun, and often topped with lettuce, avocado, mayo, and chile sauce. Further afield in Sweden, hot dogs are topped with mashed potatoes and a mayonnaise and shrimp salad, while in New Zealand they're served more like corn dogs - completely dunked in deep-fried batter and served with tomato sauce.

RELATED: How to Build the Perfect Hot Dog


We're ready to accept the melting pot that has become the hot dog - it was always destined for more than just ketchup, mustard, and relish anyway. Which of these international dogs is your favorite, which are you enticed to try the most, and which seems the most… sacrilegious?

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Flickr/Jess J
Flickr/Jess J

Argentina

Argentina's answer to the hot dog is the choripán. The hot dog is sliced in half lengthwise before being grilled and served on rustic bread. It's then absolutely covered with chimichurri.







Chicago (pictured above)

The Chicago-style hot dog is a constant hot topic, if for no other reason than how strict its protectors are about the condiments used on top. Say the word ketchup around a true Chicago-style dog and you'll likely be banned from them for life. The beef frank is encased in a poppy seed bun and is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet relish, sport peppers, tomato wedges, a dill pickle, and celery salt.

RELATED: How to Make Pickle Relish at Home

Flickr/The Hamster Factor
Flickr/The Hamster Factor

Sweden

The Swedish hot dog comes with arguably some of the most bizarre accompaniments. It is usually served in a thin bread (almost like a lavash or pita) that's wrapped around a hot dog topped with mashed potatoes, onions, lettuce, and a mayo-based shrimp salad with paprika.





Wikimedia/mindme
Wikimedia/mindme

Montreal

From the bagel to the hot dog, Montreal dwellers put their spin on everything. A classic local hot dog (also called a "steamie") is steamed (bun and dog), and is served with relish, shredded cabbage, cayenne, and spicy mustard alongside a heap of fries.






Flickr/Claudia_midori
Flickr/Claudia_midori

Brazil

Hot dogs in Brazil are nothing if not messy. There are any number of variations on the Brazilian dog (called a cachorro quente), but they are most commonly served in an open bun and topped with red and green peppers, onions, hard-boiled eggs, corn, peas, Parmesan cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, and sometimes potato chips.



Flickr/piagphotography
Flickr/piagphotography

Amsterdam

The "Stoner Dog" is an Amsterdam institution and makes no apologies for being exactly what it sounds like - a ridiculous mosh of mouthwateringly bad-for-you flavors that are best eaten… when needed. It is essentially a pizza on top of a hot dog, with pizza sauce, peppers, onions, sausage, cheese, and sometimes pepperoni.


Click here to see more hot dogs from around the world

-Nicole Campoy-Leffler, The Daily Meal