Honestly, I can’t believe I’ve been writing this blog for over a year now without a post on hot dogs!
Hot dogs are the Danish fast food, it’s as easy as that. The “pølsevogn” (hot dog stand/ cart) is omnipresent in the city - in the shopping streets, on squares, at train stations, at the airport. My theory is that, wherever you are in Copenhagen, you’re never more than 3 minutes away from the next hot dog stand! After a night out, a hot dog and a Cocio (Danish chocolate milk brand) on the way home are an absolute must for many young Danes.
So, I’ve put together a handy overview over the different possibilities for eating a hot dog in Copenhagen. Enjoy!
The classic
Your standard, classic “pølsevogn” is either by Steff Houlberg or by Tulip (they are actually the same brand, operating about 4,300 stands across Denmark). At the airport, they’re called Steff’s Place. Their product range is always the same:
- Fransk hotdog (“French hot dog”): A grilled sausage in a little “pocket” of bread, with your choice of dressing - my favorite is Danish remoulade and ketchup
- Ristet hotdog med det hele: My go-to order, pictured above, a grilled sausage in a classic hot dog bun, served with mustard, ketchup and remoulade, and topped with raw onions, roasted onions, and pickles
- Rød pølse med brød: This is the classic Danish “red sausage”, which is boiled instead of grilled. Served with your choice of dressing and a piece of white bread on the side
In each of these, the variety of sausage can be switched out (i.e. you can get your hot dog with red sausage, or a grilled sausage with bread). For the frisky ones, there’s often also “pølse i svøb”, sausage wrapped in bacon. Yum!
The last resort
Sometimes, you don’t have cash on you (which you need for the classic hot dog stand), or it’s 3am and you’re really craving a hot dog - and there’s no pølsevogn in sight. Then, you’ll head to the nearest 7Eleven, where they’ll not only sell you pizza slices and Cocio, but also all the classic types of hot dogs. Let’s just put it like this: 7Eleven hot dogs aren’t your first choice, but they will do the trick when all your other options are unavailable!
The organic
Whether you’re sporting a massive hipster beard and thick-framed glasses, or you just like your food to be a bit more sustainable, you may want to try out Den Økologiske Pølsemand (DØP). The cart is located at the foot of the Round Tower (Rundetårn). Their offer includes the classics (sausage and bread, French hot dog), but you’ll also get some more exotic stuff, like mashed root vegetables and vegetarian sausages. Instead of the standard white bread, their hot dogs are served in a sourdough bun, which adds a nice texture to the mix.
The gourmet
Doesn’t this look tasty? I think so! Pølsekompagniet‘s gourmet hot dogs are a new twist on a Danish classic, for example an onion sausage with Caribbean sauce or a “Red Devil” sausage with bell peppers and spicy mayo (pictured). You can find them at Torvehallerne, at Copenhagen Street Food, and in Østerbro, and in the summer, they are also present at festivals like Roskilde.
The super fancy
If gourmet hot dogs are your thing, but they are just not quite fancy enough, then I suggest you head to Foderbrættet on Vesterbrogade, where you’ll be served delicious homemade sausages and buns with amazing toppings in exotic combinations, alongside a glass (or bottle, if you’re so inclined) of champagne or an expertly mixed cocktail.
Where do you get your hot dog fix?
Kutubuku says
I used to love hot dogs, after coming to Denmark - not so much.
The smell of boiled hot dogs by the baggage claim at CPH airport always make me want to hurl. Sorry
Laura says
Aw, I’m sorry to hear that - it must be difficult for you, those pølsevogne are everywhere! I prefer the grilled pølser over the boiled ones, too. Maybe one of the “gourmet” hot dogs with more unusual ingredients, like from Pølsekompagniet or Foderbrættet, could be something for you?
Kenn Mochel says
What about Wiener polser and Ristede polsers? I ocassionally would stop at a cart on the corner of Jagtvej and Osterbrogade that had great polser with applesauce and Mexican polsers. Sorry, cant remember how to put the (/) in the o’s.
Laura says
Hi Kenn, the “ristede pølser” are the grilled version - they’re my favorite! That cart you’re describing sounds very interesting - do you happen to know if that’s still there? :)
Mette says
You missed out the best one yet, Johns Hotdog Deli!! If you haven’t been, go immediately!
Laura says
Hi Mette, thanks for the tip! That sounds like I have to try that soon :)