The Delights of Dutch Cuisine: A Foodie’s Travel Guide to the Netherlands
If you’re headed to the Netherlands and looking to explore the true essence of Dutch cuisine, you’ve come to the right place. The Netherlands may not always be at the top of the global culinary radar, but it has a unique food culture that’s sure to delight your taste buds. This guide offers an in-depth exploration of the rich food scene, so pack your appetite and let’s get started!
The Dutch Breakfast and Lunch
Begin your Dutch food journey with a hearty breakfast or lunch. The Dutch typically keep it simple yet satisfying with bread and various toppings. An essential part of this meal is ‘broodje’ – a small bread roll often filled with cheese, ham, or other cold cuts.
You should definitely try ‘hagelslag,’ a delightful spread of chocolate sprinkles over buttered bread. Don’t forget ‘ontbijtkoek,’ a spiced cake usually eaten at breakfast, and the famous Dutch cheese, ‘Gouda’ or ‘Edam.’
Iconic Dutch Snacks and Street Food
The Netherlands is renowned for its snack culture. Whether you’re on a busy city street or a quiet canal-side avenue, you’ll find an array of mouth-watering options. A must-try is the ‘Bitterballen,’ a popular bar snack of deep-fried balls filled with ragout. Piping hot and crispy, these are perfect with a glass of Dutch beer.
If you’re looking for something heartier, the ‘frikandel,’ a type of skinless sausage, and the ‘kroket,’ a bread-crumbed fried roll filled with meat ragout, are delicious choices. All these snacks are often served with ‘patat,’ Dutch fries, known for their thick cut and often served with a variety of sauces including the classic mayo or the exotic ‘patatje oorlog,’ a combination of mayo, peanut sauce, and onions.
Traditional Dutch Main Courses
For your main meal, there are a few Dutch classics that stand out. ‘Stamppot,’ a comfort food, is a mash of potatoes and vegetables (like kale, carrot, or sauerkraut), often served with a smoked sausage known as ‘rookworst.’
‘Haring’ or raw herring fish, usually served with chopped onions and pickles, is another national favorite. For the slightly more adventurous, ‘Zuurkool’ (sauerkraut) and ‘Hutspot’ (a mix of potatoes, carrots, and onions) are must-try dishes. For something lighter, try ‘Erwtensoep,’ a thick pea soup traditionally eaten during the winter months.
Dutch Pastries and Sweets
There’s nothing like ending your meal with a Dutch dessert. ‘Stroopwafel,’ a thin waffle filled with caramel-like syrup, is an all-time favorite. Also, ‘poffertjes,’ small, fluffy pancakes served with powdered sugar and butter, are an absolute delight.
Don’t forget to try ‘oliebollen,’ deep-fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar, usually associated with New Year’s celebrations, but often found year-round at street markets. And for a small sweet treat anytime, ‘drop’ (Dutch liquorice) is a popular choice.
Dutch Drinks
To round out your Dutch food experience, try some traditional drinks. The Netherlands is famous for its beer, with brands like Heineken, Grolsch, and Amstel known worldwide. For something stronger, ‘Jenever,’ a juniper-flavored traditional liquor, is the Dutch predecessor of gin.
For non-alcoholic options, coffee is a central part of Dutch culture, and you’ll find plenty of cozy ‘koffiehuizen’ (coffee houses) to relax in. Or, you could sample some fresh Dutch milk, considered by many to be the best in the world.
Seasonal Dutch Delights
In the Netherlands, some dishes and treats are specifically tied to seasons or festivities. This gives you an excellent reason to visit during different times of the year and partake in these seasonal delicacies.
During the spring and early summer, don’t miss ‘Hollandse Nieuwe,’ or ‘new herring.’ Caught between May and July, this young herring is typically served raw and is at its sweetest and most tender.
Winter in the Netherlands wouldn’t be complete without ‘oliebollen’ and ‘appelflappen.’ While ‘oliebollen’ are doughnut-like fritters often containing raisins, ‘appelflappen’ are apple turnovers, both typically consumed on New Year’s Eve. Another winter favorite is ‘speculaas,’ a spiced shortcrust biscuit, often baked into windmill shapes or figures known as ‘speculaaspop.’
Cheese Tour
The Netherlands is heaven for cheese lovers. To immerse yourself in the Dutch cheese culture, make sure to visit cheese markets in towns like Gouda or Alkmaar, where traditionally dressed traders sell their products. Don’t forget to try Dutch classics like ‘Edam,’ ‘Maasdam,’ and ‘Leerdammer.’ For those who love blue cheese, ‘Bleu de Graven’ is a Dutch specialty worth sampling.
Dutch Indonesian Cuisine
Given its colonial history, Indonesian food has significantly influenced Dutch cuisine. ‘Rijsttafel,’ which literally translates to “rice table,” is a meal consisting of many small dishes of Indonesian origin, served with rice. This is a fantastic opportunity to sample a variety of flavors all at once!
Dutch Seafood
The Netherlands, with its expansive coastline and tradition of fishing, offers a plethora of seafood. Other than raw herring, dishes like ‘kibbeling’ (battered and fried white fish), ‘mosselen’ (mussels), and ‘garnalen’ (shrimp) are beloved by locals and visitors alike. Do visit a ‘Viskraam’ (fish stall) for the freshest seafood.
Exploring the Netherlands through its food offers an adventure like no other. From sampling ‘hagelslag’ at breakfast, snacking on ‘bitterballen,’ feasting on ‘stamppot’ or ‘rijsttafel’ to satisfying your sweet tooth with ‘stroopwafel’ or ‘poffertjes,’ there’s a culinary journey to be embarked on. The food culture here is a testament to the country’s rich history, its farming and fishing traditions, and its colonial influences. So, prepare to delight your senses and dive into the Dutch food scene on your next trip!