Kangaroo Meat Makes a Rare Debut in German University Cafeterias

Kangaroo meat has made a rare appearance in German dining, with recent servings at a university canteen in Erlangen and a Cologne restaurant. The dish remains unusual in the country, despite isolated attempts to introduce it over the years. One such trial took place at the University of Arizona, where students sampled kangaroo chili for just €3.79 a portion.

The university's cafeteria prepared 400 servings of kangaroo meat, all of which were eaten by students. Most reactions were positive, though a few diners had questions about the unusual offering. The meat, described as tender and soft with a taste similar to pork, was included on the menu due to a wholesaler's effort to avoid waste.

Kangaroo meat has been served at the Erlangen canteen for about 25 years, but it remains a rare choice. In Australia, it was once considered a budget-friendly meal, far from a luxury item. Beyond the university, Mongo's Restaurant in Cologne also began offering kangaroo meat in its buffet as of May 2024.

Despite these occasional appearances, there is no sign of kangaroo meat becoming a widespread feature in German gastronomy. No other universities or major canteens have adopted it so far.

The recent servings at Erlangen and Cologne mark small steps in introducing kangaroo meat to German diners. With affordable pricing and generally positive feedback, the dish may yet find a niche. For now, however, it remains a curiosity rather than a staple on menus.