Best Traditional Oktoberfest Food Ideas (German Recipes 2023) (2024)

Table of Contents
What is Oktoberfest? 10 Authentic Oktoberfest Celebrations in the U.S. Oktoberfest Food Ideas Oktoberfest Ideas for a Party Oktoberfest Appetizers and Starters Bavarian Pretzel | Traditional German Pretzels (Laugenbrezel) Easy Beer Cheese Dip {Pretzel Cheese Dip} Pretzel Bites {Air Fryer or Oven Baked} Radler Recipe (Bavarian Beer & Lemonade Cocktail) Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes) Soft Beer Pretzels With Oktoberfest Cheese Dip 2-Ingredient Beermosa Quick Pretzel Bites with Sauerkraut Cheddar Cheese Sauce Beer Cheese Dip Oktoberfest Main Dish Ideas Authentic German Goulash Soup Recipe (Gulaschsuppe) Beer-Brined Schnitzel With Creamy Mushroom Gravy Best Beer and Cheese Soup (with Sharp Cheddar Cheese) Healthy Cheeseburger Soup | Crockpot or Stovetop Dutch Oven Beef Stew (or Slow Cooker) Bread and Butter Pot Roast Pork Schnitzel Recipe Beer Braised Sauerkraut and Bratwurst Spaetzle With Bratwurst, Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Onions Pork Schnitzel & Mushroom Gravy (Jagerschnitzel) Sauerkraut, Bratwurst & Potato Soup Authentic German Sauerbraten Recipe Oktoberfest Chili Pork Roast & Sauerkraut Smoked Brats With Beer and Onion Best Oktoberfest Sides Traditional German Red Cabbage (Rotkohl) Cheddar Beer Popovers German Potato Pancakes aka Kartoffelpuffer (Easy Recipe) Easy 4 Ingredient Beer Bread Traditional Bavarian Potato Salad German Potato Fries with Bacon (Bratkartoffeln) Easy Homemade German Spaetzle Recipe Hot German Potato Salad Recipe (No Mayo or Eggs) Black Bread (Bread Machine) Favorite Oktoberfest Desserts Authentic German Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) Pfeffernusse Cookies (German Spice Cookies) German Donuts & How to Make Them Like a Bavarian Pear Bundt Cake Crème Anglaise Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp {Gluten-Free Option} Fried Apple Rings with Cinnamon-Sugar Easy Vanilla Sauce Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Fresh Peach Kuchen Recipe Strawberry Kuchen Recipe German Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln) German Pancake {Oven Baked Pancake} German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping (Apfelkuchen mit Streusel) FAQs References

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An amazing collection of delicious, authentic, traditional Oktoberfest food ideas. Whether you are looking for German appetizers, desserts, or menu ideas for an Oktoberfest party, these easy Oktoberfest food recipes will please everyone!

If you are looking for recipes for German food, you are in the right place. Make your Oktoberfest menu from this selection of more than 46 German appetizers, main dishes, sides, and dessert ideas.

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What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is an annual festival which began in Munich. It actually begins in September, ending the on the first Sunday in October.

The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

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10 Authentic Oktoberfest Celebrations in the U.S.

You do not need to travel across the Atlantic in order to celebrate Oktoberfest in traditional style. Check out these 10 authentic American Oktoberfest celebrations right here in the US.

  1. Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, Michigan | 30 years they have been celebrating Oktoberfest!
  2. Tulsa Oktoberfest | celebrates authentic Bavarian culture in the heart of Oklahoma!
  3. Helen, GA Oktoberfest | For those in the south, a fun, traditional Oktoberfest celebration.
  4. Fredericksberg, TX | A true celebration of our German heritage in the Polka Capital of Texas!
  5. Four Peaks Oktoberfest, Tempe AZ | They are back this year!
  6. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, CA | Touted as the best German celebration in Southern California.
  7. Oktoberfest Zinzinatti, OH | Promises of coming back in 2021!
  8. Snowbirds Oktoberfest, UT | Oktoberfest at Snowbird is a family-friendly affair with activities, food, and, of course, brews for days.
  9. New Ulm Oktoberfest, MN | Come to one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the nation!
  10. Oktoberfest in Vail, CO | I had to add one for our fair state, the town of Vail transports you to a quaint European style village.
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Oktoberfest Food Ideas

Back in my early 20’s I spent 6 months as an au pair in Berlin, Germany. I tried so many new German foods and fell in love with them all!

I discovered red cabbage (rotkohl), apple kuchen, black bread, strudels and rote grütze! Most of these traditional Oktoberfest recipes are represented below!

From German appetizers to traditional Oktoberfest food like sauerbraten, and schnitzel, to pretzels, red cabbage, spaetzle and kuchens, we have you covered with these foods for Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest Ideas for a Party

So plan your Oktoberfest menu, then grab your Lederhosen or Dirndl Oktoberfest dress, polish your beer stein and invite your friends over and celebrate with these fun party ideas for Oktoberfest!

Whether you are truly authentic or are looking for delicious German food recipes, these are some of the best traditional Oktoberfest food ideas and not overwhelming.

You might even want to mix up a drink, this cocktail would hit it out of the park.

Oktoberfest Appetizers and Starters

Start your festivities off right with these delicious starters and drinks!

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Bavarian Pretzel | Traditional German Pretzels (Laugenbrezel)

These pretzels are giant and shareable, delicious on their own, or served with your favorite soup, stew or schnitzel. Easy step-by-step instructions.

2

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Easy Beer Cheese Dip {Pretzel Cheese Dip}

Make this easy and delicious beer cheese dip -- bonus, I show you how to make it over a campfire or firepit, too!

3

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Pretzel Bites {Air Fryer or Oven Baked}

Make these homemade pretzel bites, make this quickly in your air fryer or the oven, great for dipping in a beer cheese dip.

4

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Radler Recipe (Bavarian Beer & Lemonade Cocktail)

Photo Credit:www.craftbeering.com

This is how I learned to love beer! Though mine was with peaches and peach juice, give it a try, you won't be sorry!

5

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Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)

Photo Credit:www.daringgourmet.com

Potato Pancakes make an excellent appetizer serve with several dipping sauce and everyone will love you!

6

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Soft Beer Pretzels With Oktoberfest Cheese Dip

Photo Credit:burrataandbubbles.com

Beer pretzels, soft and flavorful and must make -- make a pretzel board!

7

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2-Ingredient Beermosa

Photo Credit:feastandwest.com

So maybe this isn't quite traditional, but who could resist a Beermosa!!

8

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Quick Pretzel Bites with Sauerkraut Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Photo Credit:anaffairfromtheheart.com

Easy pretzel bites with a sauerkraut cheese sauce.

9

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Beer Cheese Dip

Photo Credit:feastandwest.com

An easy and simple beer cheese dip for those pretzels, brats and more.

Oktoberfest Main Dish Ideas

Make a traditional Oktoberfest feast with these fantastic and delicious recipes.

1

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Authentic German Goulash Soup Recipe (Gulaschsuppe)

Rich, flavorful and oh-so delicious. Serve this hearty stew alongside buttered slices of Beer bread!

2

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Beer-Brined Schnitzel With Creamy Mushroom Gravy

Photo Credit:burrataandbubbles.com

A traditional schnitzel, brined in beer first, then pounded thin and pan fried. Regarding the type of meat, you can use pork, chicken or veal for your beer-brined schnitzel.

3

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Best Beer and Cheese Soup (with Sharp Cheddar Cheese)

Rich, thick and deliciously cheesy, full of flavor from beer, broth and of course the cheese!

4

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Healthy Cheeseburger Soup | Crockpot or Stovetop

If you desire something a little lighter, make this hearty and healthy cheeseburger soup.

5

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Dutch Oven Beef Stew (or Slow Cooker)

A beer braised beef stew will fit in perfectly with your Oktoberfest menu plans!

6

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Bread and Butter Pot Roast

Start this bread and butter pot roast in the morning and by dinnertime, enjoy a fall-apart tender and rich pot roast! Serve as is, or try it spooned over a baked potato.

7

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Pork Schnitzel Recipe

Photo Credit:natashaskitchen.com

Classic and traditional pork schnitzel is easier than you think, wow your family and friends!

8

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Beer Braised Sauerkraut and Bratwurst

Photo Credit:www.craftbeering.com

Raise a glass to these beer braised brats with sauerkraut!

9

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Spaetzle With Bratwurst, Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Onions

Photo Credit:burrataandbubbles.com

A one skillet meal that will have you spinning in circles for seconds!

10

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Pork Schnitzel & Mushroom Gravy (Jagerschnitzel)

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

Jagerschnitzel is a pork schnitzel covered in a warm mushroom gravy, be still my German food loving heart.

11

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Sauerkraut, Bratwurst & Potato Soup

Photo Credit:anaffairfromtheheart.com

Go all Oktoberfest with this sauerkraut, bratworst and potato soup, a light, delicious and brothy soup.

12

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Authentic German Sauerbraten Recipe

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

Sauerbraten is my favorite, you will love this stunning and delicious recipe.

13

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Oktoberfest Chili

Photo Credit:anaffairfromtheheart.com

Where Germany meets the west, make this Oktoberfest chili!

14

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Pork Roast & Sauerkraut

Photo Credit:anaffairfromtheheart.com

Tender and flavorful, pork roast with sauerkraut!

15

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Smoked Brats With Beer and Onion

Photo Credit:burrataandbubbles.com

Go simple with this simple smoked brats in a light beer and onion sauce.

Best Oktoberfest Sides

Because sides are what make a meal! Gather your family and friends and dive into these delicious German side dishes!

1

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Traditional German Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

Rotkohl is one of my favorites, a delicious, sweet and tangy red cabbage side -- don't know it until you try it!

2

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Cheddar Beer Popovers

Quick and easy, using a basic beer bread recipe, these are not light and fluffy like popovers, but instead are like beer muffins!

3

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German Potato Pancakes aka Kartoffelpuffer (Easy Recipe)

Photo Credit:www.craftbeering.com

A German classic, that my Dad made often!

4

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Easy 4 Ingredient Beer Bread

One of our favorite go-to quick breads to serve with soups, stews and anything with gravy! Whips up in minutes, bakes in about an hour.

5

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Traditional Bavarian Potato Salad

Photo Credit:www.craftbeering.com

Delicious Bavarian potato salad, super easy and so delicious!

6

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German Potato Fries with Bacon (Bratkartoffeln)

Photo Credit:www.craftbeering.com

A one skillet meal that will make everyone happy!

7

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Easy Homemade German Spaetzle Recipe

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

Another favorite of ours, this Spaetzle recipe is great to accompany saurbraten, schnitzel, brats and so much more!

8

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Hot German Potato Salad Recipe (No Mayo or Eggs)

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

After trying this hot potato salad, You might never return to regular potato salad again.

9

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Black Bread (Bread Machine)

Rich and easy to make, this black bread is great to sop up the juices of your favorite German dish!

Favorite Oktoberfest Desserts

Browse through these traditional and not-so-traditional desserts to complete your Oktoberfest feast!

1

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Authentic German Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

We love apple strudel and believe it or not, it's easier than you think!

2

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Pfeffernusse Cookies (German Spice Cookies)

Our family recipe for Pfeffernusse, which literally translated is "pepper nuts" these a a delicious spice cookie, great for dunking and yes, they do have pepper in them, just a touch!

3

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German Donuts & How to Make Them Like a Bavarian

Photo Credit:www.craftbeering.com

German pulled donuts, well Bavarian actually, these would be so fun to make with your kids!

4

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Pear Bundt Cake

Not really a German cake, but pears are often used in German baking!

5

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Crème Anglaise

Make these easy Creme Anglaise, we used to drizzle it over our Rote Grotze! SO GOOD!

6

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Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp {Gluten-Free Option}

A family favorite, this easy Apple Crisp is lower in sugar than most and will complement your Oktoberfest meal easily!

7

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Fried Apple Rings with Cinnamon-Sugar

Photo Credit:gritsandgouda.com

Make these simple fried apple rings and everyone will be swooning!!

8

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Easy Vanilla Sauce

Again, while German by nature, this sauce is great on strudel, kuchen, ice cream, with a spoon!

9

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Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels

Photo Credit:dizzybusyandhungry.com

Have your pretzel and dessert too!

10

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Fresh Peach Kuchen Recipe

Photo Credit:hostessatheart.com

Light, flavorful and classic, this peach kuchen will have everyone coming back for seconds.

11

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Strawberry Kuchen Recipe

Photo Credit:hostessatheart.com

Try your kuchen with strawberries instead!

12

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German Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)

Photo Credit:www.recipesfromeurope.com

Can you just smell them? Those sweet cinnamon almonds roasting as you stroll the streets!

13

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German Pancake {Oven Baked Pancake}

Make it for breakfast or for dessert, this German pancake is easy, quick and fun to eat!

14

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German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping (Apfelkuchen mit Streusel)

Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com

A classic German apple cake that is fabulous for breakfast as well as for after dinner.

I hope you will break out of the norm and try one or two or more of these Oktoberfest ideas for a party!

Don’t worry if you end up celebrating in October, it took me decades to realize this wasn’t a celebration during the entire month of October!

I hope you loved a few of these Oktoberfest food ideas — if you did, would you share your creation onInstagram,FacebookandPinterest? And be sure to comment below!

Best Traditional Oktoberfest Food Ideas (German Recipes 2023) (2024)

FAQs

What are 5 foods eaten at Oktoberfest? ›

Bavarian specialities at the Oktoberfest
  • Roast chicken (Halbes Hendl) This is the classic Oktoberfest meal: half of a chicken spit-roast on an open flame. ...
  • Bratwurst. ...
  • Pretzel (Brezn) ...
  • Sweet dumpling (Dampfnudel) ...
  • Candied almonds (gebrannte Mandeln) ...
  • Kaiserschmarrn. ...
  • Leberkas. ...
  • Gingerbread heart (Lebkuchenherz)

What is the snack food for Oktoberfest? ›

The staples of most of a Bavarian charcuterie board are smoked and cured meats, sausages, cheese, radish, grapes, and onions. Ingredients that are simple but of great quality. The so called "Bayerische Brotzeit" is served with pretzels or bread and washed down with a refreshing mug of Oktoberfest beer.

What is the Bavarian feast? ›

Crispy pork belly, golden-crumbed chicken schnitzels, German sausages, saucy wings, mash, sauerkraut and red cabbage loaded on a platter and topped up until your buttons burst!

What do kids eat at Oktoberfest? ›

A bratwurst (like a hotdog) or schnitzel (pounded, breaded and fried meat) is a great place to start. For slightly less picky eaters, try a spaetzle (potato noodles - usually with onions and cheese), konigsberger klopse (German meatballs), or a German potato salad or marinated cucumber salad!

What are 3 major food dishes in Germany list and describe? ›

Currywurst: Ketchup mixed with curry powder made this sausage a street food classic. Döner kebab: Germans have Turkish immigrants to thank for this popular sandwich. Schnitzel: The German version is made with tenderized pork or turkey and can be ordered in most traditional restaurants.

What is Germany's most popular snack? ›

Chips. The Germans love potatoes, and of course, chips too. While watching football with friends, there is always someone who has the idea of bringing a package or two. By the end of the match they will most probably be gone.

What do Germans traditionally eat for lunch? ›

Lunch in Germany is called Mittagessen and is usually eaten between 12 pm and 2 pm. Germans traditionally enjoy their main cooked meal for lunch rather than dinner. Lunch is often served after a starter such as potato salad. Lunches cooked at home may include Eintopf, Rouladen, Schnitzel or Sauerbraten.

What would you put on a German charcuterie board? ›

Oktoberfest Charcuterie Board - Simply Made Recipes
  1. Meat. • 6 Bratwurst, pre cooked.
  2. Produce. • 6 oz Blackberries, fresh. ...
  3. Canned Goods. • 2 lbs Sauerkraut.
  4. Condiments. • 1 Mustard, whole grain.
  5. Baking & Spices. • 1 Pepper, ground.
  6. Snacks. • 1 handful Pretzel rods. ...
  7. Dairy. • 8 oz Beer pub cheese. ...
  8. Beer, Wine & Liquor. • 2 cups White wine.

What is the national dish of Bavaria? ›

A quintessential Bavarian dish

The leberknödel, or liver dumplings, are made by mixing beef liver, flour, eggs, and spices and then serving them in a clear beef broth. You can find the hearty liver soup in many Bavarian restaurants. It is typically served with a side of sauerkraut, finely-shredded, fermented cabbages.

What is a good Oktoberfest menu? ›

Let's break down the food of Oktoberfest.
  • Wursts. Bratwurst is just one variety of wursts, a.k.a. sausages. ...
  • Brezn. Pretzels, the crowd favorite! ...
  • Hendl. Spit-roasted chickens. ...
  • Wiener schnitzel. No translation is necessary, because no matter where you are in the world that is its name. ...
  • Obatzda. ...
  • Spaetzle. ...
  • Kartoffeln. ...
  • Radieschen.

What is traditionally served at Oktoberfest? ›

Popular cold dishes are headcheese (Presssack), sausages, salted radish (Radi), pickles (Essiggurken), sausage salad (Wurstsalat), cold pork roast, and spread cheese (Obazda/Obatzter). All tents offer mixed platters of cold dishes (Brotzeitbrettl). Some of them even include chicken or duck.

What food goes well with Oktoberfest beer? ›

12 Oktoberfest Beer and Food Pairings
  • Bavarian Soft Pretzels.
  • Beer Mustard Crusted Pork Loin.
  • Traditional Pork Schnitzel.
  • Porchetta Panini.
  • German Beef Rouladen.
  • Sauerbraten.
  • Roast Beef with Beet Puree and Purple Cauliflower.
  • Kartoffelsuppe - German Potato Soup.

What are the 5 foods in Germany? ›

My Top 5 Favorite Foods in Germany
  • Currywurst. It's the obvious answer, but I need to make it very clear anyway: currywurst here in Germany is unmatched. ...
  • Flammkuchen. ...
  • Döner durum. ...
  • Bee Sting cake (Bienenstich). ...
  • Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut und Kartoffelpüree.
Jul 5, 2024

Do they serve anything other than beer at Oktoberfest? ›

Almost all festival tents also offer non-alcoholic beer. Only in the Augustiner Festhalle, Kuffler's Weinzelt and Feisinger's Kas & Weinstub'n and in the Fisch-Bäda is there no non-alcoholic beer - but of course numerous other non-alcoholic beverages.

What does Oktoberfest include? ›

Total beer consumption during Oktoberfest is upwards of 75,800 hectolitres (about 2 million gallons). The breweries are also represented in parades that feature beer wagons and floats along with people in folk costumes. Other entertainment includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing.

How much food is eaten at Oktoberfest? ›

It's not just about beer. Over 510,000 whole roast chickens and 60,000 sausages are eaten. While 124 cows, 48 calves, and 59,000 pork knuckles are also consumed.

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