Dutch Culinary Culture – From Cheese to Street Food

Dutch Culinary Culture – From Cheese to Street Food

The Netherlands isn’t usually thought of when it comes to traditional cuisine. Instead, Dutch cuisine consists of dishes that have been influenced by other countries, particularly Germany, France, and Indonesia. However, it’s important to note that Dutch cuisine is much more than fried potatoes and pickled herring. In the Netherlands, you can find everything from creamy cheeses to savory street food, making it a great destination for food lovers. So what makes Dutch cuisine stand out?

Dutch Regional Dishes

The Netherlands is made up of 12 provinces, each with its own unique culture and culinary heritage. One of the most popular dishes in the Netherlands is Stamppot, a mashed potatoes dish mixed with other vegetables and topped with smoked sausage. Other popular dishes include spekkoek, a spiced cake, and poffertjes, small pancakes cooked with butter and sugar. The country is also home to some of the best cheeses in the world, from Gouda and Edam to goat cheese and mozzarella.

Soups are also important in Dutch cuisine, with erwtensoep being one of the most popular. This split pea soup is typically served with smoked sausage and other meats, as well as vegetables like carrots and celery. Another popular soup is snert, which is also known as pea soup. This hearty dish is usually made with ham or bacon, carrots, potatoes, and split peas.

Dutch Street Food

Potato frites are ubiquitous in the Netherlands, and they’re usually served in a cone with a variety of sauces. The most popular sauces include mayonnaise, ketchup, and apple sauce. You can also find stroopwafels, waffles filled with molasses, in every city. Other traditional street foods include bitterballen – deep-fried meatballs – and kaassoufflés – deep-fried cheese.

The Netherlands is also home to a variety of international cuisines, from Italian to Mexican. In Amsterdam, you can find Indonesian food like nasi goreng and satay. And in the capital city of Den Haag, you’ll find a wide selection of Thai food, from curries to stir-fries.

What Makes Dutch Cuisine Unique?

One thing that distinguishes Dutch cuisine is its simplicity. Traditionally, Dutch meals have few ingredients and focus on the basics, like potatoes, cheese, and meat. This also lends itself to a greater focus on quality ingredients.
Stephanie LeBlanc @ Unsplash

The country’s topography plays an important role in its cuisine as well. The Netherlands is relatively flat and has many rivers, canals and lakes, so much of Dutch cuisine is centered around the abundance of fresh fish. Herring and mussels are especially popular in the Netherlands, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Overall, Dutch cuisine is all about fresh ingredients, simple preparations, and home-cooked meals. Whether you’re in the mood for cheese, soup, or street food, the Netherlands has something for everyone. Little Boxes
Vernon Raineil Cenzon @ Unsplash

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