Dutch cuisine may not be as famous as Italian or French, but it has its own unique and delicious offerings. However, I must say that Dutch cuisine didn’t particularly impress me. Despite that, I have come to love some Dutch dishes and often order them when I find myself in the Netherlands or a Dutch restaurant. Before my trip to Rotterdam, I prepared a list of food I planned to try during my adventure.
What food Dutch eat for breakfast
Dutch breakfasts usually consist of simple and quick-to-prepare dishes. The most common ones include cereals or a slice of bread with jam and milk. It is common to drink chocomel, chocolate milk, instead of regular milk. Children love to eat Hagelslag, which are small chocolate sticks that they sprinkle on a piece of buttered toast bread.
Any supermarket sells Hagelslag. They come in various flavours, but the most popular ones are chocolate. Of course, I found Hagelslag on the hotel breakfast menu.
What Dutch dishes try for lunch
Dutch people don’t take long lunch breaks; therefore, they quickly eat sandwiches, which they wash down with milk. Often, they bring their prepared lunch from home in a bowl and only buy a carton or glass of milk. Their sandwiches either have a slice of ham or cheese, but never both at the same time together. When I asked locals why they don’t combine these ingredients, they just looked at me and said that they just don’t mix them. Adding lettuce, cucumber, tomato or pepper is allowed. If someone prefers something sweet, they can buy buns with Nutella and bananas.
While the Dutch lunch may seem simple and quick, it’s a part of their culture and worth trying. The simplicity of the sandwich and the focus on quality ingredients is a refreshing change from elaborate lunch dishes.
Everyday dinner
A traditional Dutch dinner consists of meat, potatoes, and vegetables. After a long day, many Dutch people don’t feel like cooking and instead heat a pre-prepared meal from the supermarket. Alternatively, they make pasta with sauce since it is a relatively quick and easy meal.
Must try traditional Dutch food in Rotterdam
During my morning walk around Rotterdam, I stopped by Markthal, a market in the Blaak district. This market is known for its beautiful ceiling. Other than that, many food stalls offer various dishes from different countries. Let’s take a look at traditional Dutch dishes.
Cheese
Cheese is a must-try in the Netherlands. I’m sure everyone has tried Gouda, Edam, or Leerdammer at least once. Other lesser-known cheeses include Frisian, Limburger, Kernhem, Bluefort, Subenhara, Maasdam, Old Amsterdam, Old Alkmaar, Mimolette Commission, Maasland, Texelaar-Kollumer, and Leyden.
Patat – French fries
Patat, long, thick-cut fries, are a staple in traditional Dutch dishes. Several stalls in every city sell patat with various sauces. Forget bland ketchup or tartar sauce. The Dutch are creative and eat their fries with multiple sauces like pindasaus (peanut sauce) and curry. After trying peanut sauce, tourists either give the entire portion to someone else, throw it away, or love it so much they can’t get enough.
Fish and Seafood
Fish is an essential part of traditional Dutch cuisine. Thanks to their fantastic location by the sea, the Dutch always have a great selection of fresh fish and seafood. Hollandse Nieuwe, also known as Dutch herring, is perhaps the most famous dish. Hollandse Nieuwe is marinated salted raw herring served in a bun with onions. I’m not a big fan of onions, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this excellent dish. Every visitor must try this iconic dish; otherwise, they may as well not have visited the Netherlands.
Kip satay
At first, I mistook it for our chicken satay, and I was surprised when they brought me this dish. However, they served me a grilled chicken breast cut into cubes, coated with a thick brown sauce and sprinkled with peanuts. I immediately knew what it was and was delighted since I loved peanut sauce on fries
The Dutch consider kip satay as their traditional dish. Chicken satay originally comes from Indonesia, and the Dutch started eating this dish during colonization.
As a side dish, it can be served with rice, fries, or even noodles (not the ones we put in soup, but the classic Asian ones). Recently, there have been popular variations with shrimp or Paneer cheese, suitable for vegetarians.
In conclusion, the fusion of Indonesian and Dutch cuisine in the form of chicken satay is a delicious treat worth trying. The Dutch have put their spin on this dish, making it their own. So, the next time you’re in the Netherlands, be sure to try their version of chicken satay and experience the blend of cultures in their culinary scene.
What Dutch dishes to try at restaurants
Soups
Hollanders only have two soups – pea soup and tomato soup. Erwtensoep, or Dutch pea soup, is a traditional winter dish popular for its heartiness and nutritional value. The soup contains peas, potatoes, onions, carrots, and bacon. Dutch tomato soup, or “tomatensoep,” is a traditional soup made from tomatoes, broth, vegetables, and often cream or milk. It can be served as a starter or main course, often accompanied by a slice of bread or a grilled cheese sandwich. Tomatensoep is a popular comfort food in the Netherlands and is served throughout the year in many restaurants and cafes.
Bitterballen
Bitterballen are fried small, round balls filled with meat and sauce. This Dutch snack is a popular party food or appetizer.
Pannenkoeken
Pannenkoeken are Dutch pancakes, usually served with sweet or savoury fillings. As a child, I was used to eating pancakes only with sweet fillings, so I was surprised to see different combinations on the menu, such as bacon, cheese, or ham.
Poffertjes
Poffertjes, also known as Dutch mini pancakes, are fluffy and small pancakes that children and adults enjoy. A special iron pan with small, shallow, circular indentations is used to pour the batter, forming small and round shapes. Traditionally, people serve poffertjes with butter and powdered sugar. If you are visiting the Netherlands, trying this dish is a must.
Poffertjes are my favourite dessert, however, I can eat them as a main dish if I crave something sweet.
Stroopwafels
Dutch people enjoy traditional stroopwafels, which are thin waffles filled with sweet syrup. You can find them everywhere in the Netherlands, especially in markets and street vendors. I usually purchase them at supermarkets and bring them as gifts for my family and friends.
In conclusion, Dutch cuisine is a fusion of classic and contemporary dishes, often consisting of basic, filling ingredients like potatoes, cheese, bread, and meat. Due to its colonial history, other cultures also influence Dutch food, like kip satay from Indonesia. Experiencing traditional Dutch food is a delightful culinary adventure, and writing this blog has left me yearning for more. Another trip to the Netherlands to enjoy their delectable cuisine is definitely on my agenda.
