Pølsevogn

Pølsevogn(e) (lit. 'sausage wagon(s)')^[1] are hot dog stands that sell Danish-style hot dogs, such as rød pølse, and sausages as street food.^[2][3] Today, some are mobile,^[3] and some are, despite their names, permanent structures. They are equipped with a small kitchen, boilers, an external desk and room for a pølsemand (sausage-man) preparing and selling hot dogs to passing customers.^[4] Pølsevogne are numerous across Denmark and are popular among Danes and tourists alike.

Pølsevogn at Nørrebro in Copenhagen.

History

 

People eating at a pølsevogn in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1954

On 18 January 1921, the first 6 pølsevogne entered the streets of Copenhagen. In the 1960s and 1970s there were more than 700 pølsevogne in Denmark. In 2021, there were 100.^[5]

Fare

Apart from Danish-style hot dogs, sausage-wagons also sell a variety of sausages (pork almost exclusively), and many also offers other types of Danish barbecue fast food like bøfsandwich, fransk hotdog and pølse i svøb and beverages like chocolate milk, soft drinks, coffee or beer. The mustard served in Denmark is strong, unsweetened and less sour than what is encountered elsewhere, and hot dogs and sausages also come with ketchup, Danish remoulade^[3] and a sweet soft bun. Danish-style hot dogs has some regional variety. In most places they are served with pickled cucumbers, while other places serve them with pickled red cabbage.^[6][7]

The immigration and gradual integration of immigrants have also influenced this Danish tradition and resulted in a Halal pølsevogn being opened in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.^[8]

Outside Denmark

Danish-themed hot dog stands can be found in more and more countries throughout the world.^[9] 130 pølsevogne exist in Russia alone. Other countries with pølsevogne include Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and as far away as Singapore. Many of these exist due to large Danish permanent or tourist communities. Pølsevogne have also been known to travel with Danish groups to events like the Le Mans 24-hour race.^[10]

Some pølsevogne have made trips to and around other countries. This includes a cross-country trip through the United States, collecting money for charity, and a 2213 km Copenhagen-Paris trip, as part of a bet with a main supplier of hot dog buns.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

•  
  Motor and tow bar on a mobile pølsevogn.
•  
  A pølsevogn in Sønderborg.
•  
  A pølsevogn in the city center of Kolding.
•  
  A stationary pølsevogn in Aarhus

References

1. Ying, C.; Peach, L. (2016). The Wurst of Lucky Peach: A Treasury of Encased Meat: A Cookbook. Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. p. pt73. ISBN 978-0-8041-8778-7. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
2. The Rough Guide to Denmark. Rough Guides. Rough Guides Limited. 2010. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-84836-663-3. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
3. Berdichevsky, N. (2011). An Introduction to Danish Culture. McFarland. pp. 98–99. ISBN 978-0-7864-8652-6. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
4. "Historien om den danske pølsevogn" (in Danish). Fætter Guf. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
5. Andersen, Astrid Skov (18 January 2021). "I dag fylder et stykke dansk kulturarv 100 år - men det går kun én vej". nyheder.tv2.dk (in Danish). TV2. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
6. Hawk Krall. "Hot Dog of the Week: Danish Hot Dog". seriouseats.com. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
7. Marianne Søndergaard (10 July 2014). "Danske hotdogs hitter i New York [Danish hot dogs is a hit in New York]". foodculture.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 5 April 2016.
8. Villesen, Kristian (7 November 2002). "McAllah på Nørrebro" (in Danish). Dagbladet Information. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
9. Beck, Rasmus Thirup (15 January 2012). "Pølsevognen har fået renæssance - i Sydkorea". Politiken. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
10. Posselt, Fanny (2010). Verdens mest berejste pølsevogn (PDF). Aarhus Entrepreneurship Centre, Aarhus Universitet. p. 52.

External links

•   Media related to pølsevogn at Wikimedia Commons