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The HEMA smoked sausage is a Dutch classic born from an ordering mistake in 1936. It became a Dutch favorite, and together with their tasty hotdogs, it represents the classic Dutch snack experience.
The HEMA smoked sausage is a beloved Dutch classic known for its rich, savory flavor and iconic association with the HEMA department store. It originated in 1936 when a HEMA branch on Nieuwendijk in Amsterdam opened with a large lunchroom. Due to an ordering mistake, the branch manager received 10,000 smoked sausages instead of 1,000. To avoid waste, he started selling warm, half-sized smoked sausages directly to the shopping public from a large pan outside the store. This initiative was a huge success and quickly became a popular offering, eventually adopted by other branches. In addition to their famous smoked sausages, HEMA also offers delicious hotdogs, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists seeking a taste of Dutch snack culture.