What German open sandwich traditionally combines rye bread, ham and a fried egg?

Strammer Max is a German open sandwich traditionally made with rye bread, ham, and a fried egg.

The basic preparation places ham on a slice of bread, often rye, and tops it with a fried egg. Some versions add butter, cheese, pickles, or other garnishes, but the ham-and-egg combination is the defining idea.

The dish became especially familiar in German tavern and home cooking. Its name is colloquial and is sometimes translated playfully, but the food itself is a straightforward, filling snack or light meal.

Strammer Max is often confused with Toast Hawaii, which uses toast, ham, pineapple, and cheese. Bauernfrühstück is different again: it is a pan-fried mixture centered on potatoes and eggs rather than an open sandwich.