Kingdom of the NetherlandsWhat to eat in Kingdom of the Netherlands: top 10 dishes
Traveling to Kingdom of the Netherlands? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.
01Stroopwafel
A stroopwafel is a thin, round biscuit made from two layers of sweet baked dough held together by a treacle/syrup filling, often caramel.
Travel tip Sold fresh at markets and packaged in supermarkets. Place it on top of a hot cup of coffee or tea for a minute to soften the syrup.
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02Coleslaw
Coleslaw or cole slaw, also widely known within North America simply as slaw, is a side dish consisting primarily of finely shredded raw cabbage with a salad dressing or condiment, commonly either vinaigrette or mayonnaise.
Travel tip Coleslaw is more associated with North America, but it also shows up as a side dish in Dutch snack bars and restaurants. It is usually served cold with fries or fried food.
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03Speculaas biscuit
Speculaas or speculoos is a biscuit with origins in the historical region of the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands).
Travel tip Most associated with early December and the Sinterklaas holiday, but sold year round. Enjoy it with coffee or tea.
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04Oliebol
An oliebol is a Dutch beignet, a variety of doughnut that is traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve. People often eat it with raisins baked inside and with powdered sugar on top. Another variation is made with apple inside instead of raisins.
Travel tip Eaten around New Year's Eve and sold from seasonal stands in winter, often dusted with powdered sugar. Buy them hot from a stand.
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05Poffertjes
Poffertjes are traditional Dutch batter cakes. Resembling small, fluffy pancakes, they are made with yeast and flour. Typically, poffertjes are sweet treats served with powdered sugar and butter, and sometimes syrup or advocaat.
Travel tip Sold at markets, festivals and special pancake restaurants, usually served with butter and powdered sugar. They are eaten with a small fork.
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06Vla
Vla is a Dutch dairy product made from fresh milk. The word vla was first documented in the 13th century and originally referred to any custard-like substance covering cakes or other baked goods.
Travel tip A dairy dessert served in cartons from supermarkets and sold at dessert places, and eaten after dinner. Common flavors include vanilla and chocolate.
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07Krumkake
Krumkake is a Norwegian cookie made of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. A special decorative two-sided iron griddle similar to a waffle iron is traditionally used to bake the thin round cakes, similar to Italian pizzelle and cannoli.
Travel tip A Norwegian treat, not a typical Dutch dish. Look for it in Norwegian bakeries, especially around Christmas.
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08Kapsalon
Kapsalon is a fast food dish created in 2003 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It consists of a layer of french fries placed into a disposable metal take-away tray, topped with döner meat, covered with slices of Gouda cheese, and heated in an oven until the cheese…
Travel tip A fast-food dish from Rotterdam, sold at snack shops and late-night takeaways. It is usually large, so consider sharing.
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09Hutspot
Hutspot, hochepot (French), or hotchpotch (English), is a dish of boiled and mashed potatoes, carrots, and onions with a long history in traditional Dutch cuisine. Hutspot is also found in Indonesian cuisine due to their colonial ties.
Travel tip A winter dish served at traditional restaurants and at home, often with sausage or stewed beef. It is linked to the October celebration of Leiden's relief.
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10Hollandse Nieuwe
Soused herring is raw herring (a variety of fish) soaked in a mild preserving liquid. It usually consists of raw herring in a mild vinegar pickle or Dutch brined herring.
Travel tip Sold at fish stands and markets, especially in early summer when the new herring season begins. It is traditionally eaten raw, sometimes with chopped onions and pickles.
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