Wolfgang Bern didn’t set out to be a sausage seller. When he arrived in Hong Kong 14 years ago, he already had a nice job with a German motorcycle factory, sourcing parts in China. As a hobby, he flew helicopters and was often hired for aerial shoots by cameramen. It was during one such gig that it occurred to him there was a viable market for tasty hearty sausages in a bun.
“I was piloting during a concert, I think it was Cockenflap, and there I noticed the only things available to eat were hamburgers and fries,” he recalls. “I asked the organiser ‘how come there aren’t more choices? Like, sausages?’ And he said, ‘if you want to do it, go ahead.’ That’s how Flying Brats started.”
Bern began selling his German-style bratwursts on a bun at outdoor and sports events – since he’s a pilot he called his stand, Flying Brats – and it became the food hit everytime he set up a temporary tent. The idea was so successful, he’s decided to take it one step further become a brick and mortar business.
Flying Brats just launched its first take-out shop at 7 Lan Kwai Fong, soft opening the same weekend as the Rugby Sevens tournament to take advantage of the extra patrons boozing around town.
As a business, Bern (along with partners, Anton Daitche and designer Jay FC) has no concerns about being a one trick pony. In fact, he insists on only selling German bratwursts on a bun. There will be no fries, no burgers, no salads, and no veggie tofu sausage. And the only condiments they offer is German curry ketchup and mustard. There will be no relish, onions, pickles or another other toppings. “That’s the traditional way,” he declares. “If they want other condiments, go get a hot dog.”
Germans don’t put such things on their sausages.
Bern adds his bratwursts are made using an authentic recipe from the region of Thueringer. “It’s a combination of pork and chicken. We import the ingredients but they are made in Hong Kong. I use a local butcher and work with him to create the sausages.”
They are grilled and served in a toasted bun, also imported from Germany. The casing is firm and give the link an extra texture. Compared to the cheap tasteless grub you normally find at fast food stalls at concerts, Flying Brats’ wursts are meaty and hearty. For HK$50, it’s not a bad deal.
In an ambitious move, Flying Brats is already getting their second shop ready (in the Soho area at Cochrane and Hollywood Road) to open in another two weeks. But one must wonder, could Bern be over-estimating the appeal of the German sausage in Hong Kong? Just trying to be, um, frank.
FIND IT!
Flying Brats
7 Lan Kwai Fong
Central
