These are the must-try classic asparagus dishes when visiting Germany during asparagus season.

This is the time of the year the whole of Germany goes crazy for a vegetable. The beloved white asparagus, locally often referred to as ‘white gold’, is in season from April to mid-June. During this short period, more than 70,000 tons of asparagus are consumed each year.

If you ever happen to visit Germany during the localasparagus season, you will quickly realize many traditional German restaurants not only prominently feature asparagus on their seasonal menus. Most will have dedicated asparagus menus in addition to their ‘normal’ menu.

Chefs across the whole country take a lot of pride to come up with new recipes featuring the popular vegetable in new innovative ways, but you can be sure seasonal asparagus menus will offer the still hugely popular traditional asparagus dishes as well.

You might or might not be shocked to learn some of these traditional asparagus dishes involve high quantities of butter and eggs, typically in the form of hollandaise sauce. But let me tell you, a plate of asparagus, boiled potatoes and sauce hollandaise is worth forgetting about cholesterol and calories every now and then.

If you plan to visit Germany during the local asparagus season, running from April to mid-June, don’t miss the hugely popular regional asparagus dishes when dining out.

So, what are the must-try asparagus dishes in Germany?

3 classic asparagus dishes to try when visiting Germany during asparagus season

Among the many variations served at German restaurants during asparagus season, there are three dishes that have proven to stand the test of time.

In fact, involving a salad, soup, and main they stand for one of the most traditional seasonal menus served at German restaurants, and often at home.

Here you go!

Asparagus salad

A regular part of a typical German meal, and ranging from simple green leave salads to potato, cucumber, and even sausage salad, Germans often eat salad as a side to their mains, though it is popular as either a starter or even a light main for lunch. The latter is usually the case when certain seasonal ingredients are available to upgrade the humble salad. While in season, asparagus is such an ingredient and there are multiple ways to prepare a delicious salad featuring the popular vegetable.

Among the most popular classic German variations of asparagus salad are white asparagus with ham and boiled eggs, or the popular lettuce salad elevated with white and green asparagus and in many cases tiger prawns/shrimps.

Creamy white asparagus soup

You might or might not be surprised to learn Germans are huge soup lovers. So, let’s start with the season’s most favourite soup. There won’t be hardly any restaurant in Germany that will not offer creamy white asparagus soup during the season.

White asparagus soup can be prepared with or without potatoes, and both variations are quite common. Either way, this velvety, creamy soup is wonderful dish when served with a simple topping of browed butter, parsley or wild garlic oil. Meanwhile, the soup is often served enriched with smoked salmon or shrimp.

White asparagus with sauce hollandaise

You can’t go more classic. White stems of asparagus served with sauce hollandaise and boiled potatoes. While obviously containing a heavy dose of cholesterol and fat, it remains the best-loved asparagus dish in Germany. Often enjoyed in its simplest form, a large quantity of white asparagus topped with a generous amount of hollandaise and few potatoes. In this most classic form, one serving of asparagus would usually require one pound (450 g) or 8 to 10 stems of white asparagus; depending on the thickness of the stalks. However, often that quantity is reduced and white asparagus with hollandaise sauce is served adding either ham or Wiener Schnitzel.

With increasing attention to eat healthy, these days the classic white asparagus stems are often served with lighter versions of the butter and egg-heavy sauce hollandaise. So, ask for a vegan or dairy free sauce hollandaise if not automatically stated on the menu. Most restaurants will happily accommodate your request.

The next time you happen to be in Germany during asparagus season, make sure to order these classic German asparagus dishes.

And if you want to close your menu in style, order a dessert involving fresh strawberries.

You can’t go more classic than that.