12 Savory Hot Dogs from Across the Globe

Hot dogs have their origins in Germany and are a beloved American food, yet they are enjoyed globally. From the U.S. to worldwide, these savory sausages come with a variety of toppings and flavors.

1. Danish-Style Hot Dog

In 2021, Denmark marked the 100th anniversary of its first hot dog stand, opened by vendor Charles Svendsen Stevns, who launched several locations around Copenhagen in 1921. The iconic Danish dog is garnished with both fried and raw onions, thinly sliced pickles, and topped with ketchup, mustard, and remoulade. It's a popular choice at carts and stands across the country.

2. Sonoran Hot Dog

Originating in Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora in northwestern Mexico, the Sonoran hot dog is widely enjoyed in two Arizona cities: Tucson and Phoenix. This unique creation starts with a bacon-wrapped hot dog, which is then cooked and placed inside a bolillo bun, a flavorful Mexican bread. It’s typically topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, mayo, and mustard. Nogales Hot Dogs in Phoenix offers an array of optional toppings like mushrooms, salsa, and cilantro.

3. Salchipapa Hot Dog

For those unfamiliar with Salchipapa, the name gives it away: 'Salchi' refers to sausage, and 'papas' means potatoes, a staple of the Andean highlands. This dish, popular in Peru, Ecuador, and across Latin America, features sausage pieces pan-fried and served over crispy French fries rather than in a bun. It's typically dressed with ketchup, mayo, aji chili sauce, and mustard, with optional additions like cheese and other toppings.

4. Boerewors Roll

This hot dog features boerewors, a traditional South African sausage made primarily from ground beef mixed with lamb or pork. Its name combines the Afrikaans words 'boer' (farmer) and 'wors' (sausage). The sausage is seasoned with malt vinegar, coriander seeds, black pepper, nutmeg, and allspice. Typically, boerewors is cooked on a grill as a large coil, then cut into pieces and served in a hot dog bun with onion relish and tomato sauce.

5. Párek v Rohlíku

This Czech street food, found at food carts and even gas stations, is quite distinctive. A long, thin hot dog is wrapped inside a long roll called a rohík, which helps keep the toppings, such as ketchup or mustard, neatly contained while eating. The creation of párek v rohlíku is attributed to butcher Václav Masopust, who allegedly invented it in 1972 after seeing a similar hot dog in Madrid.

6. Panchuker

Panchuker (also spelled as panchuque) originated in Argentina’s Tucumán province and can be found at street kiosks. The dough for the bun is comprised of flour, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper, and it gets poured into a machine that’s similar to a waffler maker. Next, the sausage is added in; one more pouring of batter creates a corn dog-like sandwich. Panchuker can be enjoyed with French fries, mustard, ketchup, mayo, and golf sauce, an Argentinian sauce mixture of the latter two condiments.

7. Khanom Tokyo

In Thailand, hot dogs are dressed with a variety of toppings that range from sweet to savory to spicy, such as chili sauce, chopped peanuts, and fresh veggies. These hot dogs can also be prepared in creative ways. For instance, Khanom Tokyo is a delicate Thai crepe that comes in two varieties: one filled with savory ingredients like egg, soy sauce, minced pork, and sausage, while the other features a rich, sweet custard. Either version is then rolled into a shape resembling a hot dog.

8. Italian Hot Dog

A beloved New Jersey tradition, the Italian hot dog is said to have been created by James 'Buff' Racioppi, the owner of Jimmy Buff's in Newark. Originally a homemade treat for friends and family, it became so popular that it eventually appeared on the menu. The hot dogs are deep-fried and served on a quartered Italian roll, topped with sautéed onions, peppers, and potatoes.

9. Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Chicago's famous hot dog is topped with yellow mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt, all inside a poppy seed bun. The all-beef hot dog is from Vienna Beef, which first introduced their frankfurters at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

10. Coney Dog

Known as the Coney Island hot dog, the origins of this Michigan snack are somewhat mysterious. One popular theory suggests it was named after Greek immigrants passing through New York on their way to Detroit, who took inspiration from the city's famous summer resort. This hot dog features a beef frankfurter in a natural casing, placed in a soft steamed bun and generously topped with a rich all-meat chili (no beans!), finely chopped white onions, and a drizzle of yellow mustard.

11. Tunnbrödsrulle

Commonly found at hot dog stands and restaurants across Scandinavia, this Swedish delicacy offers a unique texture. Instead of the traditional bun, it's wrapped in a soft flatbread. Tunnbrödsrulle is not just about the hot dog—it also includes mashed potatoes, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, fried onions, ketchup, mustard, and occasionally shrimp salad.

12. Scrambled Dog

In Columbus, Georgia, Dinglewood Pharmacy, a place with a century-old tradition, has the exclusive recipe for a dish that resembles a stew more than a hot dog. Created by the pharmacy's long-serving cook, the late Lieutenant Charles Stevens, the Scrambled Dog features sliced red wieners covered in slow-cooked chili, and garnished with pickles, oyster crackers, and coleslaw. Some people may choose to add ketchup or grated cheese. The Scrambled Dog also has a legacy at Nu-Way Weiners, a beloved spot in Macon, where their open-faced version is topped with a bean chili.