Where to eat the best hotdogs outside the USA

When it comes to hotdogs, it’s hard to beat those grilled in front of you and topped with sauerkraut and spicy golden mustard by a vendor at a baseball game or on a New York City street corner.

However, if you head to any of the following destinations around the world, you’ll discover some mouthwatering alternatives and interesting takes on this quintessentially North American food.

Cape Town, South Africa

A ‘boerie roll’ (Afrikaans for ‘farmer’s roll’) is a simple yet effective South African variation on the hotdog. Made with ‘boerewors’ – a type of long, coiled sausage that’s ‘braaied’ (grilled over charcoal) until golden and juicy – the boerie roll is served in a split hotdog bun and covered in ketchup or homemade tomato relish and fried onions. Give it a try at the next Cape Town Street Food Festival in Woodstock and top it off with a glass of locally produced wine at the DoubleTree.

Malmö, Sweden

Mashed potato isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when most of us think of a tasty hotdog but the trend-setting Swedes have proven that incorporating this rogue ingredient into the dish is quite delicious. Introducing the ‘Halv Special’ or ‘Hel Special’ (literally translating to half and whole special); a half consists of a soft bun with one sausage and three dollops of mashed potato on top, while those ordering a whole get two sausages. Kiosks throughout the city centre serve up this moreish snack (or meal, however you look at it) but they’re mainly sold in Gothenburg, Bohuslän, northern Halland and Västergötland. In addition to standard mustard and ketchup, you can expect a variety of optional toppings like chopped cucumber, roasted onion and shrimp-and-mayo salad. Grab one in Malmö’s Möllevången district main square and then sleep it off at the More Hotel.

Osaka, Japan

Hotdog fans will be spoilt for choice in Osaka: from the traditional-style sausage in a bun or on a stick in the classic corn-dog style, through to hotdogs cut in the shape of octopuses and included in bento boxes. Pay a visit to the city’s Kuromon Ichiba Food Market to try some of these weird and wonderful variations, or buy the ingredients to make your own version back at the self-catered Bijou Suites Exia.

Santiago, Chile

North American food may be known for its generous portions but if you want to go even bigger (and dare we say, better?) then head to Chile for a ‘completo’. These brimming buns are twice the size of a hotdog in the USA and are filled with avocado, sauerkraut, tomatoes, Chilean chilli and cheese. And the Santiago Food Truck Festival is a great place to try one. Check into the Hotel Cumbres Lastarria and make the most of the infinity rooftop swimming pool during your stay.

Manila, Philippines

Hotdogs are so popular in the Philippines that they can be served for breakfast, as a quick lunchtime snack with rice and relish, or chopped up in a tomato sauce as part of an evening meal. But it’s the local waffle hotdog recipe that really stands out. Skewered and deep-fried in golden hotcake batter, the waffle hotdog is a popular feature of Manila’s street food scene – especially at the McKinley West Food Truck Festival. Once you’ve (over) indulged, spend the night at the Discovery Primea.

Bogotá, Colombia

The kind of hotdogs you find in Colombia vary by location; in the city centres they tend to come with ketchup, mustard, salsa, cheese, crisps and even a quail egg. Meanwhile, hotdogs served along the coast are piled high with refreshingly crisp lettuce to combat the heat. And both locations indulge in a version called ‘perra’ that uses bacon instead of sausage. For those looking to try a selection of classic and non-traditional hotdogs, the Bogotá Food and Wine Festival is always worth a trip. After you’ve had your fill, head to the NH Collection Bogotá Royal (one of the festival venues) for a round of cocktails.