8 Amazing Hot Dogs from Around the World

Hot Dogs from Around the World
Hot Dogs from Around the World

Many hot dog purists may argue that the United States is the best hot dog country in the world. Whether they're fans of Coney Island hot dogs from Nathan's or if they are devout worshipers of the Windy City Chicago dogs, either way, the U.S. hot dog lovers stand united.

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However, the very origin of the hot dog can be traced back to Germany with the invention of the Frankfurter in the late 1600s by Johann Georghehner, a butcher who lived in Coburg. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, the American version of the hot dog began back in the 1800s. In1871 Charles Feltman, a German butcher, opened up the first Coney Island hot dog stand. He went on to sell 3,684 dachshund sausages in milk rolls during his first year in business, thus giving birth to the hot dog many of us recognize today.

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Then came the famous Chicago hot dog, around 1893. The Germans once again brought their love of sausages to the U.S. by introducing the practice of eating the dachshund sausages inside a bun. Today, the Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef, natural-casing hot dog topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sliced or wedged fresh tomatoes, a dill pickle, and sweet pickle relish dyed bright green, pickled peppers, and a dash of celery salt, served on a poppy seed bun.

Countries around the world from Sweden to Vietnam have taken the idea of the classic hot dog, with German roots and American zest, and have put their own twist on the comfort-food classic. For example, South Africa has a tantalizing twist on the classic dish. The dog itself is a combination of beef and either pork or lamb seasoned with spices like nutmeg, cloves, and coriander seed. The delicious mess is wrapped in a warm, large roll topped with chutney, mustard, and tomato relish. For more distinctive versions of the hot dog, places like Vietnam put pickled vegetables as their topping of choice, and in Hawaii, it's all about the pineapple relish.

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No matter where you roam, hungry travelers can find different versions of the hot dog that may just challenge the conventional idea of what the tasty street food is supposed to be.

Hot dogs in the Philippines
Hot dogs in the Philippines

Philippines

It's quite popular in the Philippines to have many street food vendors selling hot dogs on sticks that have been skewered over coals. Traditional ones served in a bun often come with rice and a multitude of condiments including their version of ketchup, which is extra sweet.





Hot dogs in Taiwan
Hot dogs in Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan has a similar hot dog philosophy as the Philippines. Hot dogs can be served in a bun or on a skewer. The hot dog itself is actually a pork sausage and for the variation with the bun, it isn't served a traditional soft roll but instead a bulky rice patty shaped into bun form.



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Hot dogs in South Korea
Hot dogs in South Korea

South Korea

In this dish that's very similar to a corn dog, South Koreans like to batter their hot dogs and then fry them on a skewer. They are then often topped with ketchup but some also use mustard. Hungry hot dog lovers can also find more traditional variations served on a bun.






Hot dogs in Australia
Hot dogs in Australia

Australia

Australians serve traditional-style hot dogs on buns and top them with shredded cheese and friend onion. But one particular specialty is known by a few names: the Dagwood Dog or the Pluto Pup or Dippy Dog. This is essentially a dog that's coated in a wheat- or corn-based batter and then fried, similar to a corn dog, and then topped with ketchup to complete the Aussie delicacy.



Hot dogs in the Czech Republic
Hot dogs in the Czech Republic

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, if you have a hankering for a hot dog, they are known as párek v rohlíku, which translates to sausage in a roll. In this case, the roll is not cut in half. Rather, they punch a hole into the softer inside of the bun and then the sausage is tucked inside.





Hot dogs in New Zealand
Hot dogs in New Zealand

New Zealand

The Kiwis like their hot dogs battered and fried, something very similar to a corn dog. They can choose toppings for their fried deliciousness that include ketchup or tomato sauce.







Hot dogs in California
Hot dogs in California

California

While California has several versions of the hot dog available throughout the state, such as the chili dog, street vendors in Los Angeles serve what's known as the "Downtown Dog" or "Danger Dog." It's a Mexican-style bacon-wrapped hot dog with grilled onions, jalapeños, bell peppers, mustard, ketchup, and salsa, and it's the perfect greasy late-night meal.



Hot dogs in New York
Hot dogs in New York

New York City

The best straightforward New York hot dog, or as some call them "water dogs", can be found at Gray's Papaya. The all-beef franks can be plainly dressed in a warm bun and then topped with sauerkraut, ketchup or mustard. For the adventurous hot dog eater, Gray's Papaya, with multiple locations throughout Manhattan, also has a chili dog.

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- Dan Myers, The Daily Meal