Traditional, Typical & Famous Dutch Food
The Netherlands is not known for its cuisine, but you should try at least some of the traditional Dutch food items in the list below when you are visiting Amsterdam & The Netherlands.
Haring ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’
Haring or ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’ (Dutch new herring) is probably the most famous Dutch food. If you like fish you should at least try it once. The raw herring is served together with chopped raw onions and gherkins. Also the way of eating is a real Dutch tradition. In the Netherlands new herring is eaten by lifting up the herring by its tail into the air and then take a bite upwards. Of course you can also enjoy this Dutch delight by eating it in little pieces or on a sandwich called ‘broodje haring’.
Herring can only be called ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’ if the fish is caught between May and July. Also the preparation is quite special and must be done according to the Dutch tradition. The herring is cleaned, the head is removed and it is conserved in a special way (with salt). You can buy herring all around Amsterdam in shops and at street stands or book this Culinary Culture Tour in Amsterdam and try herring and other Famous Dutch Food.
Stroopwafel
Popular throughout the world, the ‘stroopwafel’ is undoubtedly the most famous and popular pastry from The Netherlands. A ‘stroopwafel’ is a unique kind of cookie. It is a waffle made from baked batter and sliced horizontally. The two thin layers of the waffle are filled with special sweet and sticky syrup (the ‘stroop’) in between. The stiff batter for the waffles is made from butter, flour, yeast, milk, brown sugar and eggs.
The ‘stroopwafel’ originates from Gouda, a place south of Amsterdam. It was first made during the late 18th or early 19th century by a baker using leftovers from the bakery, such as breadcrumbs and sweetened it with syrup.
You can buy ‘stroopwafels’ in every supermarket. But for the best ‘stroopwafels’ in Amsterdam you should definitely go to ‘Landskroon’ Bakery (Address: Singel 385) or to the Albert Cuyp Market.
Kroket
The Netherlands is not known for its fabulous cuisine. But regarding to snacks, nobody can beat the Dutch! The ‘kroket’ is a deep fried roll with meat ragout inside, covered in breadcrumbs. The common English translation of’ kroket’ is croquette. The original Dutch ‘kroket’ is made from beef or veal, but there are many different flavors like chicken satay, shrimps, goulash or even a vegetarian ‘kroket’. You can eat a ‘kroket’ as a snack, but most of the time they are served on sliced white bread or hamburger buns with mustard on the side. Be aware; the ‘kroket’ can be quite hot inside.
You can buy your ‘kroket’ almost everywhere in Amsterdam; regular snack bars, cafés, restaurants or ‘McDonald’s’ (McKroket). You can even get on the streets from one of the typical Dutch vending machines filled with hamburgers and snacks. The ‘Febo’ is such a walk-in snack bar located on different spots all over the city and famous for its ‘kroketten’. Three premium brands are ‘Van Dobben’, ‘Holtkamp’ and ‘Kwekkeboom’.
Patat
The Dutch version of French Fries has many different words: ‘Friet’, ‘Frites’, ‘Patat’ or ‘Vlaamse frieten’. They are thicker than the normal French Fries and invented in the northern part of Belgium. The Dutch really like them especially with a lot of toppings such as mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, curry or peanut sauce. A famous combination of toppings is mayonnaise, raw chopped onions and peanut sauce and is called a ‘patatje oorlog’ (‘fries at war’). It is tasty, but it does not look that way.
‘Patat’ is typically served in a paper cone or box. Here you can find the best fries in Amsterdam:
Vlaams Friteshuis Vlemminckx, Voetboogstraat 33 (near Spui and Kalverstraat) Manneken Pis, Damrak 41 (between Dam Square and central station)Poffertjes
A traditional Dutch batter treat is ‘poffertjes’. They look like baby pancakes but much fluffier. They are made with yeast and buckwheat flour and typically served with a lump of butter and powdered sugar. Fresh ‘poffertjes’ are often made at an outdoor stand during winter. They are served on a small cardboard plate and come with a small fork. While butter and powdered sugar are the most common toppings; whipped cream, syrup and strawberries are also pretty common.
Bitterballen
‘Bitterballen’ are the Dutch favorite snack and can be ordered in almost every café and bar, because of its real tasty combination with beer. These savory meat-based balls are deeply fried and traditionally served with mustard. The ‘bitterbal’ has a crunchy breadcrumb coating with soft filling on the inside. Be careful when trying one, because the filling can be very hot. Inside the ‘bitterbal’ you will find a mixture of beef, beef broth, butter, flour for thickening and spices (resulting in a thick ragout). ‘Bitterballen’ are very alike ‘kroketten’ in their ingredients, preparation as well as flavor.
Drop
The Dutch love licorice or as we called it ‘drop’. With more than 2 kilograms per year per person the Dutch consumption of licorice is the highest in the world. You will come across it everywhere; the supermarket, the pharmacy, at the market and gas stations. ‘Drop’ comes in different flavors and sizes, but basically there are two major differences: salty licorice and sweet licorice.
Kaas
In our list of famous Dutch food we have to mention cheese. The Dutch have been making cheese since 800 B.C. Furthermore the Netherlands is the largest cheese exporter in the world. With an average of 21 kilograms per year per person, we can say the Dutch love their own cheese. The Dutch eat cheese for breakfast, on sandwiches for lunch or as a snack (cut in cubes) served with mustard at the end of the day. It tastes lovely with a glass of wine or beer.
The majority of Dutch cheeses are semi-hard or hard cheeses. ‘Gouda’ and ‘Edam’ are the most popular cheeses from the Netherlands. But there are many other types of Dutch cheese. When you visit Amsterdam you should try original Dutch cheeses during a DUTCH CHEESE & WINE CRUISE or go to the Henri Willig Tasting Room.
There are still five traditional cheese markets in the Netherlands: Alkmaar, Edam, Hoorn, Gouda and Woerden. In these cities one can see how merchants do business at a cheese market as they have done for more than 600 years. Best known markets are in Gouda, Edam and Alkmaar.
- Learn about the authentic cheese making process
- Savor the flavors of 5 different cheeses with 1 dip and 2 mustards
- Try some locally brewed specialty beer
- Watch a short film that demonstrates the traditions of Dutch cheese
- Get 10% off for all purchases after the experience
More information about Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting by Henri Willig with wine
Hagelslag
‘Hagelslag’ is a (sandwich) filling of sprinkles, although you can sprinkle it on many other types of food as well (desserts mainly). The Dutch love them, young and old, on their sandwiches for breakfast or lunch. ‘Chocolade hagelslag’ (chocolat sprinkles) are the most popular ones. Other varieties are anise (licorice) seed ‘hagelslag’ or fruit flavored ‘hagelslag’.
Oliebollen
‘Oliebollen’ are traditional Dutch food. These treats are served at New Year’s Eve and quite similar in taste to the donut. People make them at home during winter (holidays), but you can also buy them at the mobile stands on the streets in this season. ‘Oliebollen’ are usually served with powdered sugar.
‘Oliebollen’ (literally oil balls) are deep friend balls of dough. The dough is made from eggs, yeast, some salt, flour, milk and baking powder. Two varieties are baked normally; natural ones or with raisins/ currents inside.
Erwtensoep / snert
Erwtensoep or snert is made of split peas, celery, leeks, carrots and pork. This pea soup is a very thick soup. The thick ‘erwtensoep’ is traditionally eaten during the winter with slices of ‘rookworst’ (smoked sausage) and rye bread with ‘katenspek’ (a type of Dutch bacon, first cooked and then smoked).
The Dutch consider that well-made ‘erwtensoep’ should be so thick that your spoon should stay vertically in it. That is why ‘erwtensoep’ is often eaten the next day when the flavors are better mixed and the soup got even thicker.
Stamppot
Stamppot is an old-style Dutch dish. It is made of mashed potatoes mixed with one or more vegetables like kale, carrots, endive or sauerkraut. ‘Stamppot’ is traditionally served during the winter and enjoyed best with ‘rookworst’. Several restaurants have it on their menu and there even is a small company in Amsterdam called “Stamppotje”, serving these specific dishes only. This small restaurant chain serves fresh made ‘stamppot’ during the winter and turns into an ice cream shop in summer.
Rookworst
‘Rookworst’ is a Dutch smoked sausage. It is most often eaten with ‘stamppot’ and mostly comes with ‘erwtensoep’. The taste is comparable to a hotdog, but ‘rookworst’ is bigger and the skin is a bit crispier. ‘Rookworst’ can be bought in every supermarket. Warehouse ‘HEMA’ is also known for its ‘rookworst’. Try one on a bun with a little bit of mustard.
Lekkerbekje / Kibbeling
This is the Dutch variaty of fish and chips, but without the chips. ‘Lekkerbekje’ and ‘Kibbeling’ refer to battered and deep-fried white fish, commonly codfish or whiting from the North Sea. The only difference between these two is that ‘kibbeling’ is cut into chunks, while ‘lekkerbekje’ is not. ‘Kibbeling’ is served with dipping sauces like a mayonnaise-based remoulade sauce (similar to tartar sauce) or garlic sauce. You can taste this delicious seafood at the same stands on the streets or market where ‘haring’ (herring) is sold.
Pannenkoeken
‘Pannenkoeken’ are common around the world, but the Dutch version of the pancake is larger and thinner than the American pancakes, but thicker than a French crêpe. The Dutch like to eat their pancakes throughout the day (preferably for dinner), unlike in the United States where pancakes are served for breakfast. Another difference is that a Dutch pancake has the concept of a pizza. The pancakes are topped with one or more different items like slices of bacon, cheese, apple or raisins. A plain pancake is often eaten with sugar syrup or powdered sugar. Dutch pancakes are made of milk, flour and eggs.
The ‘pannenkoek’ is a delight for children, but anyone can enjoy a ‘pannenkoek’. A lovely way of eating a pancake in Amsterdam is by taking the special ‘pannenkoekenboot’ (pancake boat). Check out there special All You Can Eat River Cruise.
If I have the opportunity to go to the Netherlands, I will definitely try these dishes, they look delicious
Hi all and everyone!
Me and my wife Gertrude visited in Amsterdam for the once and we had a GREAT time learning and eating to all the food! Haring was D E L I cious but ad the others and everyone and my friends above say, it is an acquired taste in this moment for sure@
I’m a little bit concerned that the last email you received from me was a little confusing but the first time I did the test it took the wrong person I couldn’t be with the team or anything else to help you. If you have any further instructions please contact me on my face
Anyway DO try the pokkerballen and don’t forget to schroopl the hasselbaink haha 😉
Kind regards
Leon and Gertrude Mealdeal
Thanks for sharing such an informative information with us.This is very helpful to me.Follow Rabaab Restaurant for great indian food taste.
Great blog. For more references on Indian food you can also checkout Best Indian restaurant in Amsterdam
”Indian Thali”
Great blog. For more references on Indian food you can also checkout Indian food in Amstelveen
”Naan Indian Curry & Grill”
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I recently got my Visa for Netherlands and am planning to visit there with my wife and kids. Although our initial plan was to explore the most popular tourist attractions of Netherlands, your blog helped us realize that this exquisite country offers a wide range of gastronomical delights as well. We would love to munch on these delicious dishes while exploring the Netherlands.
Excellent post! I always thought that Netherlands was only famous for Windmills. But your blog has changed that notion. I would love to apply for Visa for the Netherlands and visit the beautiful country with my lovely wife. While we are there, we will try to explore some amazing gastronomical delights that you have shared in your blog to tingle our taste buds. Keep sharing such informative posts about Netherlands.
you are all idiots
Please, where can I find the best almond paste in Amsterdã ? The marzipã fruits? Thank you very much.
this is gold, this is all gold
Goldmember: Would you like a smoke and a pancake?
Austin: … What?
Goldmember: A smoke and a pancake. You know, a flapjack and a cigarette? No?
Austin: [shakes head]
Goldmember: Cigar and a waffle? No?
Austin: [shakes head]
Goldmember: Pipe and a crepe? No?
Austin: [shakes head]
Goldmember: Bong and a blintz?
Austin and Nigel: No.
Goldmember: Well, then there ish no pleashing you.
Austin: That’s not right.
i can’t decide if i hate you or if i want to be your friend
aii all of you fuck off and suck your mothers. dirty bastard.
just kiddin add my snapchat. banta-girl23
banta-girl23 add it. for fun x
who else has snapchat
nice post
I lived in Holland for 5 years. Their food is so bad.
Then you did not eat the right rood Frank.
Fuck off
I lived in the Netherlands for 23 years and their food is amazing
You smoked pot for 23 years, that’s what made you believe you actually were there.
My friend. I concur. I have been living here for 5 months and there is very little food culture here. But the pastries are quite nice
You suck
opgekankerd staat netjes
****
Well then you have no taste buds
There food may suck(to some people) but their deserts are sooooo good. Most of my Family is from Noord-Holland and I grew up eating their food. I don’t think it taste bad but, its an acquired taste that you have to have.
What about drikandellen?
Sorry, FRIKandellen, of course
gehaktbal are lush..just a big huge meatball
It is somewhere in the middle between a hotdog and a sausage that has a coding on it and you fry it and eat it in the position of a corn dog but it’s not exactly a corndog it does have an outside layer on it.
neeeeee je vergat frikandel speciaal, mijn lievelings!
I work for Marieke Gouda in Thorp Wisconsin. We import a lot of items from the Netherlands. Marieke and Rolf Penterman came from the Netherlands and now run a dairy here and apwcialize in Gouda.
How about the Appeltaart with whipped cream. Boterkoekjes and more…
HELLO I AM DUTCH AND I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!! I WANT THE WAFFLE COOOKIES!!!! I AM A WAFFLE AHOLIC!!!!!! COOOOOOOOOOOOKIES SHAPED LIKE WAAAAAAAAAFLES!!!!!!
I find them at World Market.
fuck off if you are really DUTCH why are you writing in english ?
Pathetic, really pathetic If it was all in Dutch you would probably not understand a word.
Most Dutch people speak English as well, also consider this webpage is in English.
maybe cause most dutch are fluent in english as well as german
Yea, the dutch have their own language(its called dutch) similar to german but not at the same time. I know this cause thats all my grandpa would speek in was dutch. he got mad if we said it was german.
They sell them all over in The US now… They come in single packages at your local Walgreens or small convenience stores. They can usually be found near the candy. They’re fairly good for a cheap snack… and taste very authentically Dutch, just like the ones I tried over there. It not certain but they’re probably imported from Holland. It was one of the few food items that I can say was tasty…. most of it was not enjoy at all.
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Nice article! I am missing the typical ‘herring’, also very delicious!
Can you give me the directions to ‘dutch’?
Just go up from Luxembourg
It’s not called Dutch it’s called Holland, or The Netherlands
Officially, the Dutch government is dropping the “Holland” in reference to their country. Instead, the Netherlands will be used. Why the distinction? Holland really pertains to three major Dutch cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague. The intent is to include the entire country, thus, The Netherlands! Aside from patronizing Dutch-Indo restaurants, Dutch restaurants offering a wide array authentic Dutch food is hard to come by and I live in a Dutch community! So, my dear mom makes all of these dishes and indo dishes, I was raised with having emigrated from the old country so long ago.
and what language do they speak?
Dutch
It’s amazing. Would like to serve in my restaurant.
Why? Is your restaurant Dutch or international? —- This is not a country with much to offer in the way of tasty or gourmet food dishes… it’s actually the opposite of a culinary dream! I wouldn’t risk putting most of their food dishes or specialties on your menu- you may lose customers!
All looks delicious. My favorite one is bitterballen. Thanks for sharing this post.
Waffles are one of my favourite.
you forgot weed brownies
this aint it chief
Sierra emphasized “This ain’t it chief”
shut up losers
Dude… your name is Melvin.
u pathetic troll
Ba ha ha ha…. and so we discover the food item that must’ve been eaten first by any of the people writing good comments about food from the Netherlands!
hello you all, I am a dutchman living in Scotland and loving this country for being a fresh air and mainly unspoiled land. Watching the u-tube video of my homeland food made me feel a bit home sick.
to me Amsterdam is a zoo, but i appreciate the attractions.
the food presented in the clip are very nice and you should try it – raw herring requires a special taste, I as a Dutch could not master – so do not be disappointed if you do not like it.
bottom line – go to the Netherlands but go beyond Amsterdam and go North, south and East.
I come from Arnhem, which was a bridge too far fo any 2nd world war interested person
trust me the dutch will welcome you
Bert
i lived in Apeldoorn for 3 years..lovely people
I read the book. Cornelius Ryan.
I’ve been there, to Arnhem… I did not care for most of the food, aside from the cheese, the pancakes, stroop waffles and the Dutch version of Chinese food! Lol
However, I must say that the country itself is quite beautiful and almost magical because of its feeling of being slightly timeless. The weather was a bit wet and gloomy but had a mild temperature most days. I found the constant drizzling a little hard to get used to. However I did appreciate that there was almost never a single snow flake.The trees near that area are a strange sight. We don’t have trained trees that only grow on two opposite sides like arms in North America. My favorite thing about your homeland though was its appreciation for art and the feeling of being constantly immersed in beautiful unique creativity! What a wonderful way to be!
Anyway, I just thought I’d mention a few experiences I had in your “neck of the woods” (I know how the Dutch love their own little witty sayings.) —— oooh one more mention about The Netherlands – I have never, at 5ft 4 inches, felt soooo short in my life! Lol
Thank you for letting us know about the raw herring. I don’t think I would like it. But, most of the other dishes looked good.
Also, thanks for you comments on visiting the country. It would be nice to go there some day! I have some dutch heritage so, I appreciated your thoughtful comments.
Karen
Dang, I didn’t expect all of those foods in that article like, where can I find these foods
this is not white people food, this is Dutch food from Nederland. I am offended
Kids visit this site.
That’s not true.
yes it is
hi im amy nicole oldaker and i met a person from the netherlands and im trying to find imformation about the netherlands and i kinda learn something new everyday and his name is (jethro jonkers) and hes my ex and im still in love with him and we met online but im crazy over him and since i met him i cant date anyone else because of him ive been trying to learn dutch too i just really wanna go to the netherlands and distance is such a big problem and i wanna taste yalls dutch peoples food just something new for once….doei
Dude, Dude, Dude, I know Jenthro Jonkers. And he knows how to make that snert, oh my god. You wouldn’t even believe the type of snert he makes, so d e l i c i o u s.
He probably left u because of your horrible grammar and run on sentences, ntm, you seem to be batpoop cray, js.
Exactly!!!
mind ya beezwaxxx
hi amy nicole oldaker it is i jethro jonkers i have missed you for a long time i want to see you and feed you my food (i make good snert) i still love you i am moving to botswana to be with you please be there i cannot date anyone else but you amy nicole oldaker i am crazy about you and i cannot wait to make you snert everyday that passes without you is a day that passes without you eating my snert and that makes me sad i love you more than kanye loves kanye…please meet me in botswana
Hi there
I’m Olga and our church will be holding an “AROUND THE WORLD” function where my place to interest buyers in, has to be Nederland, and my scope is to buy and sell items/food and anything synonymous with the Netherlands.
I would like to know if you have any other suggestions/ideas, advice please?
I am quite intrigued by your food and snack items that I’ve read through because its snacks and meals that we enjoy and is so common in Cape Town where I hail from.
Also interesting to note is that drops (liquorice) are favourites too.
Thanks for the viewing.
I`d love some feedback from you please. 😉
Regards.
Olga.
Hi Olga and I am just here to say that your request was very intriguing so I would like to give you the Opportunity of getting a black licorish recipe from me
Image result for black licorice recipe
Bring butter, sugar, syrup, milk, molasses, and salt to a boil over high heat in a 2-qt. saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer until temperature reaches 265°. Remove from heat and stir in flour, extract, and coloring; pour into pan. Chill until firm, 30–45 minutes
from dutch
I am comin soon , will try most of it.
I love being part of netherlands once, i love to eat pannenkoken, stroopwaffel(lekker!)
where can I get or order Dutch canned butter?
Where can I get Dutch canned butter?
Ikea
you can get dutch butter in dutch