There’s a shift in the light, a bite in the Bavarian air that murmurs of changing seasons. And when that chill begins to settle, nothing warms better than a clay pot dish (shāguō 砂锅) – an ancient, humble culinary alchemy that makes the toughest meat cuts soft and every broth drop deeply infused.
The porous clay distributes heat evenly, cradling ingredients over a gentle flame for hours, coaxing out flavors and nutrients. The food is robust but delicate, hearty but easily digestible.
So, if you’re ready to escape the cold? Let us take you inside – our new favorite comfort food spot in Munich: Brutzeln & Blubbern (小魚砂鍋).
Restaurant Profile
🏷️ Name of the Restaurant: Brutzeln & Blubbern 小魚砂鍋
📍 Adress: Amalienstraße 39, 80799 München
🍜 Style: Chinese Cuisine – clay pot, rice dishes, stir-fries, small sides, noodles, vegetarian options etc.
💰 Price: around 15 – 25 EUR per Person (incl. Drinks and Tips)
Starter: Bamboo Shoot Salad (油焖春笋)
Paper-thin slices of bamboo shoot, chilled to a pleasant crispness, glistening ever so slightly with a light, savory oil.
The bamboo shoots are crunchy with a slightly tender heart. The flavor is very delicate: a fresh, vegetal sweetness, followed by a very subtle, sour marination. It’s not heavy or greasy; the light oil dressing simply enhances the bamboo’s natural fragrance. This dish is a crisp, clean overture that gets you ready for the hearty mains to come.
Main Course:
Classic Beef Brisket with Tomatoes (番茄牛腩)
The dish arrives steaming, filling the air with a hearty aroma of ripe tomatoes and rich beef. You see chunks of fall-apart tender brisket in a crimson sauce flecked with green onion.
This classic dish is a perfect example of umami synergy. The robust, beefy flavor of the brisket (牛腩) is softened and accentuated by the bright, tangy-sweet tomatoes. The tomatoes break down into a lush, lightly sweet and sour sauce that seeps deep into the meat.
Simmered for hours until the beef is unbelievably tender yet still has a satisfying chew, its juices bursting in the mouth. The marinade is a blend of soy sauce and a hint of sweetness, melding with tomato. A hint of bay leaf adds complexity. It’s paired with steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce, while being ladled over with smooth brisket that glides over the tongue.
Braised Chicken with Chestnuts (板栗鸡块)
A rustic, aromatic dish, featuring golden chicken, skin-on for extra richness, nestled with chestnuts in a dark, glossy sauce.
The savory, soy-based sauce is the foundation—deeply flavorful with a gentle ginger warmth, a subtle spice, and a light sweetness that caramelizes the ingredients.
The chicken is incredibly tender, with the cartilage cooked down to such a soft, gelatinous texture that it’s delightful to eat.
The chestnuts absorb the savory sauce while maintaining their distinct earthy, starchy sweetness. Their unique flavor — a mix of a sweet potato and a nut, with a dense, creamy texture – makes this dish cozy and richly satisfying.
While chestnuts may be a rare ingredient in other cuisines, they’re a classic in savory braised Chinese dishes, especially as the weather cools. They are seen as a warming food, believed to harmonize rich, savory flavors, for a comforting, rounded dish.
Beyond the warming clay pots, their menu opens up into much more, such as hand-pulled noodles (like the chewy daoxiaomian刀削面), tangy-spicy Sichuan noodles (suānlǎfěn酸辣粉), and a full spread of classic stir-fries alongside Sichuan specialties like shuǐzhǔ yú水煮鱼 (fish in fiery chili oil) or the robust shuǐzhǔ niú水煮牛 (boiled beef).
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or gathering a group for a feast, Brutzeln & Blubbern fits the bill. It’s like a neighborhood canteen: reliable, delicious, and affordable.
Their new crab pot and lion’s head meatball pot are definitely worth trying.
The new seafood pot comes in garlic and spicy mala flavors. Underneath there are enoki mushrooms, and the broth is fresh and slightly sweet. It’s served with two fairly large bowls of rice.
Some of the baby octopus had a bit of sand, and a few of the small clams didn’t open, but overall everything else was quite good.