Who is widely credited with inventing currywurst in Berlin in 1949?

Herta Heuwer is widely credited with inventing currywurst in Berlin in 1949.

Heuwer ran a snack stand at the corner of Charlottenburg’s Kant and Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse. According to the commonly told account, she combined tomato sauce, curry powder, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings, then served the sauce over sliced pork sausage.

The dish became strongly associated with postwar Berlin and later spread throughout Germany. The exact origin story has been debated, but Heuwer’s claim is supported by the historical importance of her stand and by the recognition she received in Berlin.

Currywurst is often confused with a single standardized recipe. In practice, the sausage, sauce texture, spice blend, and toppings vary by city and vendor. Berlin versions commonly use a steamed and fried pork sausage, while other regions may use a different sausage style.