Food Checklist: Netherlands

Land of Stroopwaffles, genital chocolates and raw herring sandwiches; Dutch Cuisine is not as well known as it's European counterparts, what's travelling without trying local foods!

Compiling this list made me wonder if sugar is the secret for Dutch and their towering heights. Most of the food items that are known in Netherlands are really sweet yet tasty. Here is a quick round up of some delicacies you would like to try when visiting.

Stroopwaffles

One of the very few caramel-related food I eat is also the most famous pastry from Netherlands. Thin waffle pieces sandwiched together with caramel syrup in between. The best stroopwaffles are those made fresh from the markets and half dipped with chocolate. Yums. Definitely a good gift for those back home – a package of 6/8 for about €2.50. Apparently there is this method of placing a stroopwaffle as a lid on a cup of hot beverage to soften the cookie. I need to grab a pack of these now.

Poffertjes, Dutch Pancakes

Fluffy. Buttery. Sweet. Yeast and buckwheat flour are the magic to making these adorable pancakes before topping them with butter and powdered icing sugar. Nutella, whipped cream and strawberries, syrup are some of the available toppings beside the regular icing sugar and butter. Grab them at any pancake house, markets and even Dam Square.

Hollandse Nieuwe, Dutch Herring Sandwich

I was a little wary when I heard of this. Raw, funky smelly and slimy looking. Contrary to how it looks, it does taste good. In fact, I had two of them during my short stay in Netherlands. The food stores do sell these in sandwiches, making the raw fish more palatable. The bread reduced the fishiness and the pickles and onions cut through the raw fish taste as well.

Tip: Traditional way of eating this is by lifting up the herring by its tail into the air and then take a bite upwards.

Kibbeling

Still unconvinced in trying raw herring? No worries. The markets and street vendors have fried white fish along with other fried seafood. These are most often served with mayonnaise and lemon! Guess who got overly excited and ordered a plate of oysters, mussels to go with her herring sandwich.

Friet/Patat, THICC Dutch Fries

Chunky, delicious fries in a cardboard cup makes it so easy to nom on these crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside Dutch fries. Everyone recommended getting the ‘patat oorlog’ with the fries slathered with a peanut sweet sauce, mayo and onions. The thick sauce tasted like a milder version of the curry sauce that Singapore’s McDonalds offer.

Cheat sheet:

Friet of patat met mayo - with mayonnaise

Patat met satésaus - with peanut sauce

Patatje oorlog - with a combination of peanut saté sauce, mayo and onions

Patat special - with curry ketchup, mayonnaise and onion

Van Stapele Koekmakerij

Saw these cookies on an INSIDER video on Facebook and since I was in town, why not. A semi-crunchy Valrhona dark chocolate cookie with a gooey white chocolate/cream center. Definitely a Instagram-worthy food with the navy napkin making a beautiful contrast when you hold up the dark-brown sweet against the canals. They were a bit pricey, at >€2 for a cookie. Taste wise, it's not the best cookie I had as it was a tad too sweet for my liking and I wished the dark chocolate was stronger. Then again, for the novelty and as a cookie, it's decent.

Kaas, Cheese

I remembered that the highlight of my first visit to Amsterdam, was Zannse Schnans (windmill village) and how they had yummy cheese there. Gouda and Edam are the most well-known cheese from Netherlands as the majority of Dutch cheeses are semi-hard or hard cheeses. Try some of the samples at the markets and buy a wheel home!

Pannenkoeken

Pancakes thicker than French crepes but thinner than American pancakes, and definitely bigger than Poffertjes. There are various toppings for these pancakes, be it sweet or savoury. The “regular” pancake is usually eaten with syrup or powdered sugar. Just take a pancake cruise, you’ll get the best of both worlds. Recommended places are The Pancake Bakery and Pannenkoekenhuis. FYI - they are also more on the touristy side.

Croquettes, Krokets

These deep fried treats can be found literally everywhere - bars, cafes, McDonalds and even self-serve dispensers/vending machines throughout the city and train stations. Traditionally made with beef and veal but modern takes of the croquettes include satay, chicken, seafood and even vegetarian options. Watch out for the molten filling when you crack one open to eat. An affordable and easy way to hunt a croquette down is via a Febo, a chain of Dutch vending machine- fast food restaurants. What a time to be alive.

Drops

Drops, the Dutch word for licorice, are well-loved by the Dutch. They actually have the highest per capita consumption of liquorice in the world, nearly 2000 grams per year per person. Unfortunately, I can’t do liquorice.

Bitterballen

Bitterballen, which are savory beef/veal orbs battered in breadcrumb coating and fried, are on top of the list of most travel bloggers. Often dipped in mustard, the cousins of Krokets are a favourite Dutch snack. Here is a list of places to try these balls.

Oliebollen

Did not get to try Oliebollen; "oil balls" are similar to doughnuts that are traditionally eaten at New Year or during winter months. Similar texture and bite to a donut, these street snacks are coated with powdered sugar and comes in plain or with raisins in them.

Stamppot

Similar to a bubble & squeak, Stamppot (literal translation: ‘mash pot’) is a traditional comfort dish with mashed potatoes and vegetables, varying from sauerkraut, carrot, spinach or onion, served with gravy and a substantial sausage or bacon bits for protein. Try it at Moeders.

Might just attempt to make this at home and see how it goes too.

Tompouce

Another dessert on the list! The heavy cream pastry is iconic in Netherlands especially on King's Day and at celebrations. Rectangular with sweet, yellow pastry cream layered between two pieces of puff pastry and then topped with pink icing. Good with tea and/or coffee on a regular day.