Complete Guide to Buying Chinese Sausage in Germany

Finding authentic Chinese sausage in Germany can be a challenge. Many miss the familiar taste of home, whether it's the sweet and aromatic Lap Cheong from Guangdong or the fiery, spicy La Chang from Sichuan. Others who are just discovering Chinese cuisine may be unsure which type is right for which dish.

As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, my mission is to provide you with clear guidance. This guide introduces different types of Chinese sausage, explains their key differences, and offers practical tips to help you make the right choice for your palate and your cooking.

What to Look for When Buying Chinese Sausage

Before you order Chinese sausage online or search for it in an Asian supermarket, these three points will help you decide.

1. Flavour Profile: Cantonese, Sichuan, or Suzhou?

The aroma is the most important distinguishing feature. The sausage varieties reflect the culinary diversity of their regions of origin.

• Cantonese Sausage (廣式臘腸, Guǎngshì Làcháng): Also known as Lap Cheong, this is arguably the most famous variety. It is characterised by a sweet and savoury profile. Traditionally, it's seasoned with sugar, salt, and often a splash of rose water liqueur or rice wine. Its flavour is mild and approachable, making it a versatile ingredient.
• Sichuan Sausage (四川臘腸, Sìchuān Làcháng): If you prefer bold flavours, go for the spicy Sichuan sausage. It is famous for its "mala" (麻辣) aroma—a combination of the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns and the fiery heat of chillies. It has an intense, smoky, and complex flavour.
• Suzhou Sausage (蘇州臘腸, Sūzhōu Làcháng): This variety offers a balanced flavour profile, often described as savoury with a subtle sweetness and a distinct wine aroma. It is less sweet than the Cantonese version and less spicy than the Sichuan one.

2. Proper Preparation

Chinese sausage is a raw, air-dried or smoked product and must be cooked before consumption. The most common methods are:

• Steaming: Steam the whole sausages for 10–15 minutes until cooked through. They can then be sliced and served.
• Cooking in a rice cooker: Simply place the whole or sliced sausage for the rice cooker on top of the rice before starting the cooking cycle. The fat and aroma from the sausage will infuse the rice, giving it a special flavour.
• Stir-frying: When thinly sliced, the sausage is excellent for stir-frying with vegetables, in fried rice, or in noodle dishes.

3. Ingredients and Quality

Pay attention to the ingredients list. A high-quality Chinese sausage consists mainly of pork, fat, salt, sugar, and spices. Brands like Laweiju sausage are known for their traditional recipes and use of specific regional spices. The fat-to-lean-meat ratio can also be an indicator of texture and flavour.

Our Chinese Sausage Selections

Here is a selection of products that represent different flavour profiles and are available online.

Laweiju Dry Sausage Guangdong 280g

What makes it special This sausage is a classic example of the Cantonese style. It combines high-quality pork with a balanced sweet-and-salty flavour, enhanced by the addition of Chinese liqueur. Its texture is firm and the aroma is authentic.

Pros:

• Classic, sweet and savoury Lap Cheong profile.
• Versatile for use in steamed dishes, clay pot rice (Bao Zai Fan), or stir-fries.
• Mild flavour that is also well-suited for newcomers to Chinese cuisine.

Best for: Anyone looking for the authentic taste of Cantonese cuisine or needing a sausage for traditional dishes like sticky rice dumplings (Zongzi) or steamed rice.

Laweiju Sichuan Sausage Spicy Flavour 260g

What makes it special This sausage brings the unmistakable flavour of Sichuan directly to your plate. Made according to a traditional recipe, it contains spices like Sichuan pepper and chilli, which create the characteristic numbing-and-spicy "mala" aroma. The meat is firm and has a long-lasting aftertaste.

Pros:

• Authentic, intensely spicy Sichuan aroma.
• Balanced ratio of fat to lean meat.
• Ideal for steaming, stir-frying, or as a spicy side dish with rice and drinks.

Best for: Fans of Sichuan cuisine and anyone who prefers a sausage with a bold, spicy, and complex flavour profile.

Laweiju Dry Sausage Suzhou 260g

What makes it special This Suzhou-style sausage offers a harmonious balance between savoury and slightly sweet notes, rounded out by a rich wine aroma. The traditional production and air-drying process ensure a firm, chewy texture and a deep, well-rounded flavour experience.

Pros:

• Balanced, savoury-sweet flavour profile with a distinct wine aroma.
• Firm and chewy texture from traditional processing.
• Vacuum-packed to preserve the aroma.

Best for: Cooks looking for a sausage with nuanced flavour that is neither too sweet nor too spicy and integrates well into a variety of dishes.

Discover More Options

The world of Chinese sausage is diverse and rich with regional specialities. If you are looking for other flavours, brands, or specific types of sausage for your recipes, you are sure to find the perfect match in our wider selection.

Explore our entire range of Asian Sausage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How should I store Chinese sausage? Storage instructions vary by product. Many sausages are sold frozen and should be kept at -18°C. Others that are not frozen should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, and refrigerated after opening. Always check the information on the packaging.

2. Does Chinese sausage always need to be cooked? Yes. Chinese sausage is a raw, air-dried cured meat product and must be cooked thoroughly before consumption. It should reach an internal temperature of over 70°C. Common methods include steaming, boiling, or stir-frying.

3. What is the difference between Lap Cheong and La Chang? Both terms refer to Chinese sausage (臘腸). Lap Cheong is the Cantonese pronunciation and usually refers to the sweet Cantonese sausage. La Chang is the Mandarin Pinyin transliteration and is used as a more general term for Chinese sausages from various regions, including the spicy varieties from Sichuan.

Written by: Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer