Oktoberfest

Foods Indian Cities Are Adopting

Quick Summary

Indian cities are getting influenced by the Oktoberfest, celebrated in Germany on a large scale. This article looks at the food menus that are inspired by the festival, from pretzels to sausages to craft beer blends. Metro cities like Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru are hosting the Oktoberfest-inspired event that combines German traditions with local flavours. Dive deeper to know more. 

Deep Dive

Oktoberfest, which is held annually in Munich, Germany, is the world’s largest beer festival, attracting over 6 million visitors who consume nearly 7 million litres of beer during the 16‑18 day celebration. Beyond beer, the festival is also famous for its hearty Bavarian foods, from pretzels and sausages to roasted chicken, potatoes, and cheeses.

India’s growing craft beer culture and love for international cuisine have made it a natural fit for adopting Oktoberfest traditions. According to a 2023 FICCI report, the Indian beer market is expected to grow at a rate of 10-12% annually, with craft breweries leading the trend in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Gurgaon. The festival’s focus on communal dining, large platters, and beer-paired foods has influenced menus at pubs, microbreweries, and food festivals across India. Read this article to know how India is hosting events inspired by the European culture, and creating a new variety of foods, beverages that are a mix of both Indian and German culinary traditions.

Pretzels Spiced With Masala

Pretzels were originally a symbol of good luck in Germany, often served during religious ceremonies. Soft pretzels are a Bavarian staple, traditionally sprinkled with coarse salt. In India, they are being served with chilli‑lime or masala seasoning, making them an instant street-food favourite with the classic Indian touch at Oktoberfest pop-ups. Indian chefs are experimenting with stuffed pretzels filled with paneer, spiced potatoes, or mixed vegetables, blending two cultures.

Sauerkraut And Pickled Sides

Sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage dish, is a German staple that pairs with sausages. Indian Oktoberfest menus include kimchi-inspired cabbage, pickled carrots, or even mango achar, offering tanginess and gut-friendly probiotics to balance heavy fried foods. Fermented foods like sauerkraut have high probiotic content, which can improve digestion, similar to Indian fermented foods like dhokla, kanji, and idlis.

Bratwurst

Germany’s iconic sausages, bratwursts, are usually pork-based. In India, where vegetarianism is widespread, you will find paneer, tofu, or vegetable sausages taking centre stage, often paired with Indian mustard or tangy chutneys. Even non-vegetarian versions incorporate chicken or lamb with Indian spices instead of traditional pork. Sausages in Europe date back over 500 years, and Oktoberfest helped popularise their pairing with beer.

Desserts

While Oktoberfest in Germany serves apple strudel, Black Forest cake, and pretzel-based sweets, Indian adaptations include gulab jamun served with a beer caramel sauce or chocolate truffles, marrying German dessert concepts with Indian flavours. Festivals in both countries traditionally incorporate sweets to celebrate community and victory; Oktoberfest in Germany and Diwali or Dussehra in India share this culture of celebrating and eating sweets during celebrations

Beer Pairings

Oktoberfest is synonymous with lager beers in Germany, but India’s microbrewery boom allows for creative pairings: wheat beers with paneer platters, Indian Pale Ale with spicy sausages, and stouts with chocolate desserts. This blend of European technique and Indian palate is redefining festive menus. India now has over 300 craft breweries, with cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Delhi contributing nearly 50% of craft beer consumption, making Oktoberfest-inspired events increasingly viable.

Closing Thoughts

Oktoberfest in India is more than just drinking beer; it is a cultural and culinary exchange where German traditions meet Indian innovative dishes. From masala pretzels and paneer sausages to fermented sides and craft beer pairings, Indian cities are adapting Oktoberfest’s moods while incorporating and respecting local tastes and eating habits. This fusion is redefining how festivals, beer, and food are coming together to bring global flavours to Indian tables in exciting and unexpected ways.