Traditional Food In Holland

traditional food in holland
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 4 min read

The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is one of the most beautiful countries in northwestern Europe, which makes the country a must visit for every globetrotter. World-class attractions such as Dam Square and Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and Cube House and The Maritime Museum in Rotterdam will let you spend unforgettable moments in the country. Traveling to a country, however, feels incomplete without trying its traditional food, especially when talking about Holland. Keep reading to find out about traditional food in Holland and make sure to try them all. Believe us, that craving will not go away anytime soon after you are done trying all of them.

1. Kibbeling (fish snack)


First one on the list is Kibbeling, one of the most popular street food in Holland. What do you think of indulging in some chunks of fish that are deep fried? You can imagine the tenderness of the meat and the crispiness of the flour in your mouth already. What makes it more appetizing is the dipping sauce, which is usually tartar or garlic sauce prepared with some mayonnaise. You can have Kibbeling directly as a snack or as a starter for your dinner or lunch.

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2. Poffertjes (pancake)

Poffertjes
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tijs Zwinkels used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you love to eat something sweet, Poffertjes is definitely the right food to try. Poffertjes is the typical Dutch mini pancake that is made from buckwheat flour and yeast. The mini pancakes are baked in a special Poffertjes pan and in a special way that make them feel so light and when you eat them, you can taste the spongy texture. But how do the Dutch enjoy their Poffertjes? Normally, sugar and butter as toppings are enough to satisfy their appetite. But, sometimes you can also find Poffertjes topped with syrup or advocaat, a traditional Dutch alcoholic beverage made from eggs, sugar, and brandy.

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3. Erwtensoep (pea soup)


There is nothing better than a bowl of pea soup to warm someone’s body and the Dutch people know this. The main ingredient of this soup is peas, of course. And, depending on the color of the peas, the soup may sometimes look greenish or yellowish. In addition to peas, pork and vegetables are sometimes also added to make this soup even tastier than it already is. An important thing to know about Erwtensoep is that it is a tradition to serve this soup on New Year’s day. But, it can also be enjoyed during colder weather in winter and fall.

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4. Ontbijtkoek (breakfast cake)

Ontbijtkoek!
Source: Photo by Flickr user Cristiano Betta used under CC BY 2.0

Feel energized in the morning as you start the day with a bunch of Ontbijtkoek, which is basically a breakfast cake in English. So, what actually is this Dutch breakfast cake? The most notable thing about this cake is its brown color. This color is a result of using rye as its main and most important ingredient. For the best taste, the cake is spiced with ingredients such as cloves, ginger, nutmeg, candied citrus peel and cinnamon.

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5. Hollandse nieuwe (herring)

Hollandse Nieuwe / Dutch brined herring
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ronald van der Graaf used under CC BY 2.0

This traditional food is both delicious and healthy and everyone who loves herring should definitely try Hollandse nieuwe. Many Dutch people prefer to eat this fish raw. But, some also get creative and eat the food in various methods. For example, you can find the raw herring served in a bun or soaked in a mild liquid. If you do eat it raw, the best accompaniments are pickles and onions. You will not get fat by eating herring, so eat as many as you like.

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6. Bitterballen (meatball)

Bitterballen mosterd mayo
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Takeaway used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Bitterballen is probably one of the most popular snacks from Holland. Some of you may be familiar with this one already. But, if you have no idea what Bitterballen is, it is a classic Dutch meatball. Inside the meatball, you will find some minced or chopped beef or veal. The meat is wrapped with flour and butter and then deep fried. There are some other variations with Bitterballen, including vegetables filling and the use of curry powder for flavoring.

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7. Stroopwafel (waffle)

Stroopwafels 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Takeaway used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Another sweet treat that is much loved by the Dutch is Stroopwafel. Two baked waffles with caramel syrup filling right in the middle will surely make you want to eat another one and then another. The caramel flavor is the traditional flavor, but nowadays Stroopwafel has a lot of flavors and toppings. Just be aware that the waffles are not thick, so you will not feel full right away.

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8. Dutch licorice


Did you know that The Netherlands has the highest consumption of licorice in the world? You cannot really blame the licorice for having that sweet and salty taste that is just very addictive. More good news, the licorice comes in many shapes and sizes. You can pick your favorite shapes, from coins and diamonds to cats and cars. Do not forget to buy some to bring back home as gifts for your loved ones.

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9. Kroket (croquette)


It appears that the Dutch people are fond of deep fried food. Other than Bitterballen and Kibbeling, Kroket makes it on this list of traditional food that originated in Holland. What makes the breaded and deep fried Kroket taste amazing is the fillings. How can you say no to meat, shrimp, fish and vegetable, not to mention extra ingredients such as mushrooms and onions? The spices used also play a role in the rich flavor of Kroket.

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10. Dutch patat (fries)

2015 0406 Ras patat Oorlog Zandvoort
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Takeaway used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Last but not least, Holland boasts its popular fast food called Dutch patat. This snack looks like french fries, but the potato sticks are not only longer but also thicker. There is a side stall that is super famous for its patat named “Patat Fries”. Patat Fries are so popular that wherever you are traveling to in the country, you will at least spot one of the Patat Fries side stalls. You can choose from an option of toppings available. People love the peanut sauce topping, but you may also be tempted to try the garlic sauce. It truly is difficult to choose, so why don’t you just grab some patat and try all the available toppings?

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Holland's traditional food for a happy stomach

Are the pictures of the food already making you drool? Wait until you taste every food discussed above. It should be easy to find them across the country. Don’t leave The Netherlands until you know the taste of all the food, and you will go back to your home feeling happy and satisfied.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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