Swiss Specialties to Satisfy Your Stay

Lake in  Jungfrau

Switzerland is a country surrounded by nature, including the Alps. Because it is surrounded by many different countries, there are many dishes influenced by neighboring countries. Let’s take a look at some of the specialties.


Highlights

①Nature

Grindelwald mountain view

As mentioned at the beginning, Switzerland has many world-famous mountains, including the Alps, the Matterhorn, and the Eiger. Many of the mountains are aimed at climbers, but there are also mountains that can be easily climbed to the summit by mountain train or cable car, making them popular with tourists. Among them, Jungfrau can be reached by mountain train up to a station at 3,454m above sea level, and is said to be the highest station in Europe.


In addition to mountains, Switzerland is also characterized by its many lakes, and several cities in Switzerland, such as Geneva, Zurich, and Lucerne, are located on lakes.

Lake Lucerne


Tourist trains are also popular, and the Golden Pass, which runs between Interlaken and Lucerne, is a popular train that allows you to see the vast Swiss nature.


②International Organization

Geneva, United Nations

Switzerland is home to the headquarters of various international organizations, such as the United Nations European Branch (former headquarters) in Geneva and the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne. These can also be visited.


③Alphorn

Alphorn

This wind instrument was born in the mountainous region of Switzerland and produces sound using a tube over 2m long. The tube is made of natural wood and is played with a mouthpiece. You can see them at events and on mountain observation decks such as Mount Pilatus.


④Yodel

yodel

This singing style originated in the Alps and is characterized by the incorporation of falsetto into the singing. It was originally used by mountain herdsmen as a way of communicating with each other, but after being introduced to America it became known worldwide as a musical genre.


Gourmet

⑤Cheese

cheese fondu

Switzerland is famous for its mountainous regions and cheese fondue and raclette can be eaten in many places. In particular, if you go up the mountains by mountain train or ropeway, you can eat them in most restaurants.


⑥Chocolate

Lindt Chocolate

Swiss chocolate is famous, just as Toblerone and Lindt chocolates in the standard yellow triangular packaging are famous in Japan. Interlaken also has famous chocolates, which are popular as souvenirs.


⑦Perch fillet(Filet de perche)

Perch fillet

This is a fish dish that is often eaten in French-speaking areas such as Geneva. The white fish called perche is filleted and eaten fried or meunière. It is often served with french fries as a side dish.


⑧Chügelipastete

Lozärner Chügelipastete

This is a local dish from Lucerne, consisting of shredded beef and creamy mushroom soup served in a pastry dish. You can find it in restaurants in Lucerne’s Old Town.


⑨Bündnerfleisch

Bündnerfleisch

This is a platter of ham, made by drying the back of a cow, and Swiss cheese. It can be eaten as an appetizer, but it is also served as a main course in restaurants. The saltiness of the ham and the smooth taste of the cheese are in perfect harmony.


⑩Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

This is a specialty dish of Zurich. Thinly sliced ​​beef is stewed in cream and white wine. The white thing in the picture is cream. It has a smooth and gentle taste. It is accompanied by Rösti, a Swiss local dish, which is thinly sliced ​​potatoes baked until crispy.


⑪Bernese plate(Bernerplatte)

Bernese plate

This is a specialty dish from the Swiss capital of Bern. It is a kind of Western oden, with various cuts of meat and sausages stewed together, served in a large container and eaten by serving yourself. It is eaten with sauerkraut (fermented sour cabbage) and potatoes, and is very similar to choucroute from the Alsace region of France.


⑫Bratwurst

Bratwurst

This is a specialty dish that is often eaten in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It is a sausage with a soft skin made from beef or pork, and the photo shows an assortment of onion sauce and the previously mentioned röstii.


⑬Swiss Carrot Cake(Aargauer Rüeblitorte)

Swiss carrot cake

This is a specialty dish from the Aargau region west of Zurich. Carrots are a local specialty, so carrot cake is often made and is characterized by having carrots on top. Unlike carrot cakes from other countries, it does not use much flour but instead uses a lot of carrots and hazelnuts. The flavor is not too strong, and the carrot flavor is not too strong.


⑭Swiss Meringue

Swiss meringue

There are three types of meringue: French, Italian, and Swiss. Swiss meringue is made by mixing egg whites and sugar in a bain marie, raising the temperature to about 50 degrees. This makes it firmer than the other two methods, and it can be eaten with whipped cream as shown in the photo. The taste is light, so it’s not as heavy as it looks.


⑮Carac

Carac

It is a traditional Swiss sweet made by pouring chocolate into a tart and coating it with green or pink chocolate. You can find it in bakeries.


⑯Nidwaldner Apfelstrudel

Nidwaldner Apfelstrudel

This apple pie is a specialty of the canton of Niedwalden, south of Zurich. It tastes just like any other apple pie.


⑰Solothurner Torte

Solothurner Torte

This cake is from the canton of Solothurn near the Jura Mountains in western Switzerland. It looks like a Baumkuchen, but has hazelnut cream sandwiched between the dough. You can buy one at bakeries.


⑱Engadiner Nusstorte

Engadiner Nusstorte

It’s a traditional pastry filled with walnuts and fresh cream in a puff pastry. I couldn’t find it in the photo, so I bought it at the supermarket.


⑲Bärli-Biber

Bärli-Biber

This is a specialty of Appenzell. It is a baked sponge cake filled with spiced almond paste. This can also be bought at supermarkets and keeps well, making it a great souvenir.


Others

・Chinese Fondue : Fondue Chinoise

・Oil Fondue : Fondu Bourguignon

・Alpine-style macaroni : Alpermagronen

・Curry with added cherries and pineapples : Riz Casomir

・Cherry wine cake : Zuger Kirschtorte


Check out tourist information for Switzerland here!!


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