Dutch food
my quick overview
If you’re like me, or let’s face it, if you’re from a country that isn’t England, the USA or Northern Europe, you may be prejudiced against Dutch gastronomy.
Yet Dutch cuisine has a lot to offer. Their cuisine is comforting and simple, with soups, sausages and potatoes that are perfect for cold weather. Most of the time, the dishes are not very complex or subtle, but that doesn’t mean the food is bad.
I’ve noticed that most popular Dutch dishes are either sweet treats or appetizers. They do indeed make good snacks. That’s mostly what I’m going to tell you about in this post.
In everyday life, the Dutch enjoy a quick lunch. It’s more a question of convenience than a real pleasure to eat at that moment. It’s also common to regularly eat cold dishes, prepared quickly from scratch, with bread and cheese for example. I may shock one or two French people, but many like to freeze the bread they’ve just bought, to eat it warmed up later, rather than buying fresh bread to eat the same day
By asking tap water instead of just water, which induced a bottle of water, you will save money. It is safe to drink tap water in this country, and in most restaurant, they won’t charge tap water.
Usually the waiter comes to you so you can order your food, no need to call him. However, most of the time you will need to call him to have the bill.
Most meals are individual. Of course, you can share with someone at your table, but the dish are not meant to.
stroopwafel
I developed an addiction to stroopwafel during my time in the Netherlands. This is truly good. It is two thin layers of waffle held by a syrup filling, so sweet but so good. Sometimes you can ask for topping on it, for example, you can see a picture of a stroopwafel with melted chocolate topping. You can buy them in specialized shops, in markets or street food stands, or even buy them in the supermarket. The last option is obviously a bit less good, but I always finished the packet with joy.
Bitterballen
Bitterballen are a famous snack / finger food. There are several different types, each with a different filling. However, the classic filling is a thick beef and roux-based stew with meat, which is breaded and then fried. It’s usually eaten with a drink and other appetizers. It’s a good, comforting snack, but beware: the middle can be very hot!
Poffertjes
These are essentially small, fluffy pancakes with butter and sugar. You can find them at street food stalls and markets. Although simple, I was surprised at how good they were. What’s more, the vendors are usually very generous with the quantity they serve, so you won’t get frustrated.
Haring
This one is very special. Personally, I didn’t like it, but I encourage you to make up your own mind. It’s raw fish served with onions, and is very famous in this country. You can also find it in sandwich form, which is perhaps more accessible if you’re not usually a big fan of fish.
Friet
French fries are famous the world over. Known as “French fries”, they are in fact a lie popularized by the US, because fries actually originated in Belgium. However, the Netherlands, their neighbor, are potato lovers. They cook them in a variety of ways, notably in the form of fries. These are much thicker than the usual “french fries” and are usually topped with mayonnaise or ketchup. You can order a cone of fries and eat them as you walk down the street. Of course, you can also eat them in a restaurant.
Kapsalon
This is a Dutch street food from Rotterdam. It consists of fries topped with meat (like kebab), cheese (such as gouda), salad and various sauces. There’s also a vegetarian version with falafel. It’s not a light, subtle meal, but it’s comforting and nourishing. Kapsalon actually means “hair salon”. Legend has it that it was ordered by a hairdresser around 2003, which gave it its name.
Hagelslag
It is a must-know but not necessarily a must-try. Young Dutch people love it for breakfast. It is toasted bread with some butter spread on it, and some chocolate sprinkled on top of it.