Dutch Food Enkapsalonated

Aweh, guys!

WE HAVE BEEN IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR THREE MONTHS NOW! How did that happen? I guess time flies, when you’re jobless and are a slave to the internet.

I thought I would do an ode to some of the best food we’ve had so far while in the Netherlands. Whilst the list is numerous, I have decided to narrow it down to a top five (in no particular order) just to keep this post succinct. Perhaps I’ll do a part 2 sometime!

Friet

Friet, chips, patat, French fries… whatever you want to call them, no one does them better than the Dutch! Preparation is basically universal, usually served in a cone or plastic dish for takeaway but the sauces are what make them magic. The traditional topping is mayonnaise but there are places with up to 22 different sauce options (MannekenPis is one of them). Then you get your combinations. Patatje oorlog is served with peanut sauce, mayonnaise and finely chopped onions. If you have a peanut allergy, you might want to consider patatje speciaal which is served with a sweet curry sauce instead. Not kind to the waistline, but kinder to the wallet… and who can say no to deep fried potato?

Kroketten

Kroket is an interesting beast. It is a thickened beef ragu, formed into cylinders before being crumbed and deep fried, usually served with mustard. These are usually found in the FEBO machines which are hot food vending machines available throughout the Netherlands. The food is bought as quickly as it is replaced so you don’t have to worry about getting an old kroket.

And you can find kroketten basically everywhere, from the freezer section in your supermarket to a higher end restaurant. Definitely a legend, especially with a nice cold beer.

Kapsalon

“A kapsawhat?” I hear you ask. Kapsalon comes from the word hair salon as the creator of the dish was apparently a hairdresser. It may appear healthy with all the fresh vegetable options you can choose from but lurking beneath is something a lot more sinister. It starts with a base of French fries before being topped with your choice of gyro meat (usually beef or chicken… or you can have it vegetarian). It is then laden with cheese before being doused in knoflooksaus (garlic sauce) and sambal before being put into the broiler to get everything nice and bubbly. You can then select your veggie toppings like lettuce, onion, jalapenos, cabbage and cucumber. While it appears healthy on the surface, it is basically just a wig for what it is hiding.

Kibbeling

Kibbeling is the best fish and chips you will find, even in the UK. Kibbeling are chunks of white fish that are coated in the most amazing batter before being deep fried and served with friet, vissaus and frietsaus. Kibbeling traditionally were made with cod cheeks to prevent waste from fish cleaning, and it has evolved since then into heartier bits of fish for a heartier appetite.

Harring

Let’s end with something fishy! I know what you’re thinking. “Preserved salted fish, chopped onion and gherkin is probably not for me” and that’s okay but I would like for you to consider trying it, at least once. It is cleaned, almost pickly like a rollmop and the gherkin that it is served with will probably be the best you’ve ever had! The most traditional way is to eat the whole fish by grabbing it by the tail and taking a munch which can be a bit overwhelming but you can request it sliced or whole on a bun to subdue the flavour…

All of the dishes mentioned above can be found for around six euro or less, so if you are coming to the Netherlands and have heard about the bland food, perhaps give these dishes a try to change your mind, while not breaking the bank and not caring about calories.