Top 5 Dutch Food

The Netherlands (or Holland) is famous for its bulb fields, bikes, windmills and the colour orange. In comparison to other countries, the Netherlands is not famous for its food. However, there is some national dishes or food products that are well-known in the Netherlands.

  1. Pannenkoeken & Poffertjes

Pannenkoeken and poffertjes are both considered as the perfect Dutch comfort food. Both are easy and quick to make with only flour, salt, milk and egg (see picture above). They are quite similar and are often considered as a sweet dish. However, pannenkoeken are also eaten as a savory meal. Pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes) are a mix between American pancakes and French crepes. They can be served with almost everything you can image. From simple powdered sugar and a thick syrup called “stroop” to savory toppings like bacon and corn.

The differences between pannenkoeken and poffertjes are that poffertjes are way smaller than pannenkoeken, and they are based on yeast and therefore thicker and fluffier than pannenkoeken. Pannenkoeken are often a full meal and poffertjes are just a snack. They are often served with some melted butter and powdered sugar and are the best right after baking them.

2. Stroopwafels

The most famous Dutch cookie is called a Stroopwafel and consists of two thin round waffles with spiced buttery caramel syrup in between. As you could read before, the Dutch word for this syrup is “Stroop”, hence the name stroopwafel which means syrup waffle. The Stroopwafel was invented in the late 18th century or the early 19th century in the city called Gouda, that is located in the West of the Netherlands. The stroopwafel is traditionally eaten by placing it on top of a hot cup of coffee, tea, or chocolate. This gently warms the syrup and the waffle, making it soft on one side and crispy on the other.

3. Bitterballen & Kroketten

Kroketten are the Dutch version of the well-known French croquettes. Kroketten are breaded rolls that are deep-fried and filled with a meat, fish or vegetable ragout filling. The Dutch kroket was invented around 1830 and is originally made with meat ragout covered in breadcrumbs. After the second world war, it became a snack instead of a side dish. The only difference between kroketten and bitterballen is the shape. Instead of the long cylindrical shape of kroketten, bitterballen are small and round-shaped. Bitterballen are a popular snack in restaurants and bars throughout the Netherlands.

4. Drop

If you would walk through the candy alley in a Dutch supermarket, you would be surprised by how big the liquorice section is. A lot of people are not a big fan of liquorice, but that is different in the Netherlands. The Dutch liquorice, called “Drop”, is one of the most famous candy in the Netherlands. Those sweets contain a strong flavour of both liquorice and salmiak and are different than the normal liquorice that everyone knows. There are also a lot of different types of ‘Drop’. They can variate in flavour, shape and hardness.

5. Oliebollen

Oliebollen are deep-fried balls made out of beer batter and are more commonly known as Dutch doughnuts or Dutchies. There often eaten with raisins in the dough and served with powdered sugar. The dough balls are fried in oil, hence the name “oliebollen” which means ‘oil spheres’. People eat them during national holidays, especially during New Years Eve. They make them their selfs or buy them fresh in a oliebollen stall.

The next time you will visit the Netherlands, you know which food you have to try out. In addition to the five dishes or food products above, there are way more things you should try.

Sources:

Sources of pictures:

sara_winter, 26-04-2023 

alpaksay, 26-04-2023