15 Dutch foods to try in Amsterdam

From mini pancakes to croquettes from a vending machine,

Amsterdam offers the hungry traveler plenty of unique
culinary experiences. Don't go home without trying at least
one of these traditional Dutch foods.

Bitterballen

So you went out for a few drinks. You forgot to eat dinner. Those 8%
Belgian beers are beginning to take their toll. What to do? The answer is
in the bitterballen. Delicious, deep fried crispy meatballs traditionally
served with mustard for dipping theyre the ultimate in Dutch pub
snacks and can be found on the menu at most Amsterdam drinking
establishments.

Stroopwafel

If you try one Dutch sweet treat, make it a stroopwafel. Two thin waffles
stuck together with a layer of sweet syrup; these delectable delicacies
are best enjoyed hot and gooey from a street market or bakery.

Thick Dutch fries

Yes, but not just any fries. Trust us. You might see these thick cut fries
called patat or frites on menus, and traditionally they come served in a
piping hot paper cone slathered with any manner of tasty toppings. Ask
for 'patatje oorlog' for a dollop of peanut satay sauce, mayo and onions,
or a 'patat speciaal' for a mix of curry ketchup, mayonnaise and onions.

Raw herring

Raw herring may sound a little scary to the uninitiated, but every visitor
to Amsterdam should give it a go. Youll spot haringhandels (herring
carts) serving up this Dutch specialty all over the city - ask for a broodje
haring to get the fish served in a small sandwich with pickles and
onions. The best time to try raw herring is between May and July when
the herring is said to be at its sweetest.

Kibbeling

If youre not feeling quite brave enough to try raw herring (see above),
then you can still get your fishy fix from kibbeling battered and deep
fried morsels of white fish; usually cod. Theyre every bit as delicious as
they look, and usually served with a mayonnaise herb sauce and lemon.
Try it hot and fresh from a street market or food truck for the best
kibbeling experience.

Croquettes from a vending machine

Now were not talking about Michelin standard cuisine here, but these
hole-in-the-wall cafs get into this list of Dutch must-tries on novelty
value alone. Head into any FEBO and youll see an array of hot snacks
including hamburgers, kroketten and frinkandellen displayed behind
glass doors. Put some coins into the slot and voila; dinner is served.

Oliebollen

The name literally means oil balls - but dont let that put you
off. Essentially they are deep fried sweet dumplings (sometimes
containing fruit pieces) and dusted in powdered sugar, and theyre so
delicious that they only come out around New Years Eve, just before
the January diet kicks in.

Say cheese!

Cheese is big business in the Netherlands, so dont go home without

visiting one of Amsterdams many 'kaas' shops or markets and tasting
some Gouda, Geitenkaas or Maasdammer. For an introduction to the
most popular Dutch cheeses, stop by the Cheese Museum or one of
the Henri Willig Cheese and More shops. Next, visit the Reypenaer
Tasting Room for a professionally-guided tasting of their award-winning
cheese. In the Negen Straatjes (9 Streets) the Kaaskamers shelves are
stuffed with cheese from the Netherlands and abroad.

Now say poffertjes!

Repeat after us. 'PO-fer-jus'. These little fluffy clouds of battery

goodness are served up at restaurants and pancake houses all over
Amsterdam, but nothing can beat a bag of hot, buttery poffertjes from a
street market vendor. Sprinkle them with powdered sugar and let the
good times roll.

Ontbijtkoek

This delicious ginger cake comes in loaves, and is stodgy enough to

ensure that one slice is always enough. The name literally translates to
breakfast cake; though you can tuck in at any time of the day really
because youre a grown up and nobody's going to stop you. Spread
some thick butter on it for extra yumminess.

Stamppot

One for cold winter evenings, stamppot is the ultimate Dutch comfort
food, not dissimilar to British Bubble & Squeak. Translated literally as
mash pot, this traditional dish involves potatoes mashed with other
vegetables traditional stamppot includes various combinations of
sauerkraut, carrot, onion or spinach - and is usually served with a big
juicy sausage.

Dutch liquorice

Liquorice eating in Holland is something of a national pastime in fact

the country boasts the highest per-capita consumption of the sweet in
the whole world. But if anyone in Holland offers you some licorice (and
they will); BEWARE. This is not liquorice as you know it, but a more salty,
black version known as drop. Approach with caution, and dont say we
didnt warn you.

Snert

Snert. You heard us. Hollands version of pea soup is a thick green stew
of split peas, pork, celery, onions and leeks, and contrary to its name,
its completely delicious. Widely consumed all over the Netherlands,
snert makes for a hearty winter snack traditionally served up by street
vendors to ice skaters on the frozen canals.

Indonesian Rijstaffel

The strong Indonesian influence on Amsterdams food scene can be felt

(and smelled, mmm) all over the city, and a no culinary tour of Holland
would be fully complete without a visit to an Indonesian restaurant.
Order a rijsttafel (rice table) for the true Indish-Dutch experience; a
medley of small dishes from all over the Spice Islands, developed in the
times of Dutch colonization in order to allow colonials to sample dishes
from around Indonesia.

Tompouce

Apparently named after a performing dwarf who went by the stage

name of Tom Pouce, this cream-filled rectangular pastry is characterized
by a layer of smooth pink icing on top. Tompouce is strictly regulated to
ensure consistency in size, shape and color although for the past few
years the icing has turned bright orange in Amsterdam around Kings
Day.