Intro
Of course, the Netherlands has a lot of delicious food and culinary traditions. There are many Dutch food products that are worth trying if you are visiting or living in the country. From savory cheeses and meats to sweet treats and drinks. In this blog, I will mention the best Dutch snacks to try in my opinion.
Stroopwafels
The best Dutch snacks ? It is definitely The Stroopwafels. These thin, crispy waffles are a beloved Dutch treat. It is like a sandwich of a layer of caramel-like syrup between two thin wafer cookies. They are traditionally served warm but they are good too at room temperature. There are several Stroopwafels shops around the Netherlands. In those shops, you can have it fresh with different toppings to your taste. Make sure you look for a stroopwafels specialty shop and not all types of dessert place. You can also find it fresh in food markets. The packs from the supermarket are certainly great too. Don’t hesitate to get some from there. Stroopwafels go along great with coffee.
Cheese
The Netherlands is definitely famous for its cheese, and there are many different types to choose from. Gouda is the most well-known and most produced Dutch cheese. It is a hard, yellow cheese with a sweet, nutty flavor. Other popular Dutch cheeses include Edam, Maasdam, Boerenkaas, Leyden and more. There are a lot of shops dedicated for selling only cheese around the cities. It is highly recommended to visit those shops to learn a bit more about cheeses and try some.
Herring
Herring is a popular Dutch food, and is often eaten raw or pickled. It is usually served with onions and gherkins. The onion neutralizes the strong taste of the fish. You can find it at food markets and fish stalls, or in the city centers. Besides that, you can have it as a sandwich. That is “Broodje haring”.
Kibbeling
Kibbeling is a type of fried fish, typically cod or haddock. This is the Dutch fish and chips but without the chips. It is usually served with a dipping sauce, such as tartar or aioli. Make sure you squeeze a bit of lemon and dip in aioli and enjoy it.
Bitterballen
Those are surely one of my favorite Dutch snacks of all time. These small, deep-fried balls of meat are a popular snack in the Netherlands. They are usually made with a mixture of beef, roux, and breaded and then fried. Mustard is the dipping sauce for the bitterballen, and they go great with cold drinks. There are also different fillings, like cheese and you can find it with vegan / halal meat too. It is a must try
Stroop
The Dutch invented the Stroop. It is a thick, caramel-like syrup, often used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and other sweet treats. A lot of people who’ve tried it, believe that it tastes better than the Maple syrup. Some pastries and cookies have the filling of the Stroop.
Poffertjes
These small, fluffy pancakes are a popular Dutch treat. To have the best results, the special poffertjes pan is highly recommended . You can find those in the food markets, supermarkets and some cafes. The most typical way of serving it is with butter and powdered sugar. Some likes it soaked in syrup like the Stroop ( Dutch syrup ). You can also have it savory, covered in cheese.
Oliebol
Oliebol is a very Dutch snack typically eaten on New Year’s Eve. Scooping the dough with an ice-cream scoop is necessary before deep frying it, to give it that ball shape. There are mainly 2 types, regular or with raisins. Once it is ready, you have to sprinkle some sugar powder. Shops and food stands start selling in early December till somewhere in January. Once you move here, you must make those at home. The end results are usually hilarious. Mine were as big as a pillow. There are mainly 2 types, either regular, or with raisins. Once it is ready, you have to sprinkle some sugar powder. Shops and food stands start selling in early December till somewhere in January. Once you move here, you must make those at home. The end results are usually hilarious. Mine were as big as a pillow.
Kapsalon
Kapsalon is a delicious Dutch fast food. This is one of my favorite Dutch snacks or meals. It consists of a layer of French fries topped with Doner or Shawarma meat, and cheese. Placing the mix in the oven will result in melting the cheese. Adding the iceberg lettuce, garlic sauce and samba ( a hot Indonesian sauce ) will create a great texture and taste. The literal meaning of Kapsalon is hairdresser’s. Furthermore, there is a funny story behind the name. I will absolutely explain it in another blog soon.
Conclusion
Overall, the Netherlands has a wide variety of delicious products to try. From savory snacks to sweet treats, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are a visitor or a resident, be sure to try some of the best Dutch snacks of this list.
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