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The Kingdom of the Bajuwaren is very welcoming to outsiders. Visitors to Munich are invited to spend their money on preposterously expensive (but excellent) beer at the annual Oktoberfest, pay over the odds for good seats at the Allianz Arena to watch world-class football or buy a BMW!

There are culinary specialities in abundance, including the delicious Brezn. This unique bakery product is not to be mistaken for the common-or-garden pretzel. When not on offer in the traditional looped or knotted shape, the chewy bread stick is known as a Laugenstange, similarly made of wheat flour, malt, salt, baker´s yeast and water. Before baking, the dough is dipped in lye solution, the secret of its typical colour and characteristic taste.

I chanced upon the example of tongue-in-cheek pseudo-Bavarica at the top of this post and felt obliged to share it. A local entrepreneur insists that, in these parts, the fast-food staple that is the Hot Dog must have as its 'bun' such a Laugensemmel bread stick. 

I shall, I guess, succumb to the temptation in the not too far distant future!